In the morning of April 18th, it’s full of spring at Lecturing Hall of Anqing Normal University (ATC). The International Conference on the Integration of Science and Liberal Arts and Construction of Teachers’ Comprehensive Competencies co-held by the China National Association of Teacher Educators (NATE), International Council for Education Development (ICED) and Anqing Normal University grandly opened there.

About 100 experts and representatives from about 50 universities and colleges of over 20 provinces in China, experts from USA and Mexico, some teachers and students of ATC and journalists of Guangming Daily, Anhui TV Station, Anqing Daily and Anqing TV Station attended the opening ceremony, including:

Prof. Li Jingtian, Alternate Committee Member of Central Committee of CCP and director of Party History Research Office of Central Committee of CCP;

Mr. Han Xiancong, Municipal Party Secretary of Anqing City;

Prof. Shao Baoxiang, Deputy Secretary General of NATE;

Prof. Liu Yingtao, Vice Secretary General of NATE;

Prof. Zhu Xudong, Vice Secretary General of NATE and Doctor Postgraduate candidate’s tutor of Beijing Normal University;

Prof. Nie Wanhui, Director of Party History Research Office of Anhui Province;

Dr. Rick Cornish, Vice President and Chairman for Board of Directors of ICED;

Mr. Chu Changlian, Director of Teachers Education Office of Anhui Provincial Education Commission;

Mr. Xue Zezhou, Vice Party Secretary of Anqing City;

Dr. William Frame, Former President of Augsburg College of United States;

Prof. Li Sidian, President of Xinzhou Teachers College, Shanxi Province;

Prof. Li Kuiliang, President of Hengshui College;

Prof. Wang Yao, President of Nanjing Xiaozhuang College;

Prof. Han Baoping, Vice President of Xuzhou Normal University;

Prof. Sun Hong’an, Vice President of Gannan Teachers College;

Dr. Simon Qiu, Director of China Zone of ICED, teacher of Shanghai Foreign Languages University;

Dr. Carol Kniker of Augsburg College, USA;

Dr. Arthur Harkins of University of Minnesota, USA;

Dr. John Morevac of University of Minnesota, USA;

Dr. Cristobal Cobo of Institute of Technology, Mexico;

Prof. Jing Minzhu, Director of Teaching Affairs Office of Taibei Kangning Medical Management College, Taiwan;

Prof. Lin Huiwen, Taibei Kangning Medical Management College, Taiwan;

Mr. Lin Hualiang, vice director of Anqing Education Bureau.

In his speech, Mr. Zhao Xiaohe welcomed domestic and foreign experts and leaders and thanked support from different fields. He introduced the college’s long history and substantial achievements. He said that the conference was very important to promote the further integration of science and liberal arts in normal colleges and research teachers training under new situation.

Mr. Wang Qingsong presided the opening ceremony. He introduced important guests and thanked their coming. He hoped the conference would promote the college’s construction and development.

Dr. William V. Frame said that the conference would enhance the two colleges’ cooperation and he would bring back the experiences to America.

Dr. Rick Cornish offered his congratulations to the conference’s opening. He said education development is a main field for the whole country development. He hoped the conference would enhance cooperation and exchange of China and America.

For the following session, the experts had a picture taken together and several presentations were done by some experts.