The regular Skype meeting between our School of Sociology of CCNU and the School of Human Services and Social Work of Griffith University was held in our school’s meeting room in the afternoon of April 20. Dean Darrell Irwin, Vice Dean Wan Rende, Social Work Chair Zheng Guanghuai, and the Dean’s translator Chen Zhengyu attended the meeting on behalf of our school, while Dean Lynne Briggs, and Dr. Liang Jianqiang attended for Griffith. Two schools discussed issues covering teaching arrangements, faculty exchange, research collaboration as well as other issues surrounding the joint BSW program between two schools.

The meeting began by confirming the dates and courses for Griffith faculty coming to teach at CCNU in May and November. Four courses will be taught by visiting professors from Griffith at CCNU this semester in May, including 1) Lifespan Development; 2) Critical Reflective Practice; 3) Evaluation, Effectiveness, Outcomes; 4) Working in Communities. Another four courses will be taught in November, which are 1) Working with Family Violence 2) Case Management 3) Group Work4) Health, Ageing and Disability. Possibility on MSW collaboration between two schools was also discussed, after reviewing the 3 joint MSW programs in China.

According to the agreement between CCNU, Griffith, and AEMG, AEMG will fund one professor from CCNU to visit Griffith every summer. This year CCNU has decided to send Prof. Zheng to Griffith. Dean Lynne Briggs and Dr. Liang extended their warm welcome to Prof. Zheng for his upcoming visit, and promised to provide all the help to allow Prof. Zheng to follow their classes, visit their placement bases, as well as conduct other academic activities.

Both parties expressed the desire to have more CCNU students going to Griffith next year. Griffith faculty will give a promotional lecture for CCNU students when they come to teach in May, to encourage more students going to Griffith. Student parents will also be invited to the lecture, so they will have a better idea of the joint program.

The School of Sociology of CCNU will host an international conference on Mobility, Social Justice, and Public Safety on June 1 and June 2. Dean Irwin extended his invitation to Griffith faculty and encouraged them to attend and present papers on that conference. Griffith also announced that they are ready to provide another AUD 10,000 funding for the Chinese Australian Social Work Center jointly built by CCNU and Griffith.

As a routine Skype meeting, this meeting provided an opportunity for the regular communication between both parties in addressing issues in their joint BSW program and other collaboration items.