ICDE receives a significant part of its funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, and has a commitment to offer Norwegian distance education institutions opportunities for international discourse. In this regard, ICDE arranged for 17 representatives of Norwegian institutions to undertake a study tour to China.

The tour began with the 2008 SCOP meeting in Shanghai, and was followed by visits to selected institutions in other parts of the country including Shanghai TV University, China Central Radio and TV University, Tshingua University Beijing and the National Examination Education Authority in Beijing. Norwegian institutions were able to showcase the Norwegian tradition within distance education while  sharing experiences with their Chinese colleagues.

ICDE collaborated closely with Norway Opening Universities, the Norwegian Association for Distance Education, and ICDE members in Norway on this initiative. 

November 2008