Education a key focus of Chengdu's sister city ties in Israel, Denmark

Lin Jingting (left) and Huang Lin, both from Chengdu, Sichuan province, are both exchange students at the Haifa University in Israel.[Photo by Huang Zhiling/chinadaily.com.cn]

Unlike traditional Chinese kindergartens and primary schools, the structure of the kindergarten and primary school in Chengdu will be shaped like stars, a reflection of the students striving to become clever and creative through playing and studying, said Karin Elbek, a partner with RUM, one of the four Danish architectural firms.

Also differing from traditional Chinese schools with large activity spaces, the new buildings will have many small activity spaces. The design reflects the Danish educational focus on individuality and the hope that each child can find his or her own space, Elbek said.

The quality of Danish education for service providers for the elderly is known worldwide, and the VIA University College in Horsens has cooperated with Chengdu in the field.

Rikke Hjuler Mikkelsen, who is in charge of the international program at the college, said the Danish encourage the elderly to live at home as long as possible. Only when they cannot take care of themselves will they move to care facilities. That is similar to the concept of home-based care for the aged that is promoted in Chengdu.

When he participated in Denmark Week in Chengdu in September, Peter Soerensen, the mayor of Horsens, said Danish nursing homes for the elderly are as simple as families, with service providers helping the residents feel at home. It is common for the residents to organize travel, eating and reading clubs in each other's homes, he said.

Mikkelsen said 10 doctors and nurses from the West China Hospital of Sichuan University would receive short-term training on services for the aged at the Danish college this summer.