Pathways to Higher Education : : China

ABOUT CHINA The People’s Republic of China is the world’s most populous country, with a diverse landscape and a rich cultural background. China’s economy has grown over the last decade to become a major player in the global economy and, as of 2006, boasts one of the world’s largest economies. Despite its status as a global economic power, many tens of millions of Chinese remain in poverty. China’s higher education system, once uniformly managed by the central government, has experienced a series of reforms that have transferred management of all but a few dozen key institutions to local governments, while also expanding higher education to meet the growing demand. This shift has led to a dearth of funding for the institutions, an influx of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and higher tuition costs. Universities are struggling to adjust to these changes, and, as a result, China is experiencing a widening educational gap among different regions and social classes.

The Pathways to Higher Education program in China is helping to build the quality and equity of the higher education system. It is working to improve access and quality for students from low-income and rural families by addressing their needs and helping raise their performance and confidence.

More participating institution information to come. Please check back soon for updates.

Participating Institutions