HKU Faculty of Education launches the China Rural Education Literature Database and hosts rural education symposium

An online launch symposium on China Rural Education Literature (CREL) Database, led by Dr Wang Dan, Associate Professor in the Faculty’s Academic Unit of Social Contexts and Policies of Education, was held on December 15, 2022. About 750 participants attended the Launch Symposium via the ZOOM Webinar and Bilibili live broadcast.

To aid systematic investigation into the question of rural education and seek new ways forward, the Faculty has established the CREL Database, which is sponsored by the Tin Ka Ping Foundation and the Faculty hosted the Launch Symposium to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the Foundation.

The Symposium, titled “Land, Labour, and Life: Education for Rural Development”, started with a welcome speech by Professor Yang Rui, Dean of the Faculty, followed by an opening remark by Mr David Day, Chief Executive of the Tin Ka Ping Foundation. After Dr Wang’s introduction to the CREL Database, the Symposium featured keynote speeches by Dr Philip Roberts from the Faculty of Education of the University of Canberra, Ms Yang Guiping from China Zigen Rural Education and Development Association, and Professor Yan Hairong from Tsinghua Institute for Advanced Study in Humanities and Social Sciences of Tsinghua University. The speakers expressed serious concerns about the crisis and dilemma faced by rural communities and called for overall reforms in the educational system to serve sustainable development of both the countryside and the city. The Symposium ended with a fruitful roundtable discussion responding to thought-provoking questions from the enthusiastic audience.  

About the CREL Database
The CREL Database, with selected high-quality literature on rural education in Mainland China, has currently garnered over 500 research publications in both English and Chinese languages upon completion of its first phase. It allows a comprehensive survey of extant theories, policies, and empirical evidence in relation to rural education in Mainland China. The collection of literature is categorised in various ways by historical period, subject, issue, research method, and more, to offer easy access for users with specific interests. 

The establishment of this literature database is significant for advancing scholarship and practices in Mainland China’s rural education. For researchers new to the field, the CREL Database can introduce them to the wealth of extant work and help them to get a head start. For seasoned scholars in rural education, it offers convenient access to a rich collection of research on their focused topics. For non-governmental organisations and school practitioners, it gives them a convenient channel to search for cutting-edge scholarly work, which may inspire future actions. 

The CREL Database intends to form and strengthen a rural education research community that collectively reflects on the merits and pitfalls of the existing scholarship, and charts new paths for research and practices in Mainland China’s rural education.

All are welcome to reach out to the CREL Database and make use of the free resources.