Educational experts from China and the United States exchanged their views of how the two countries' educators can work together to help Chinese students become 21st century talents with international competitiveness at the Pegasus California School Education Forum held on June 22 in Qingdao, Shandong province.

Michael McCormick, a senior educational official from California, said that worldwide educators should prepare students for the 21st century as we are moving on to the fourth industrial revolution where artificial intelligence is emerging.

"We should prepare students by focusing on so-called soft skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity," said McCormick, adding that those skills could be transferred to jobs that have not yet been created.

Marla Kirkland, another educational official from California, said, "Every student has potential, no matter where he or she is from. California's educational system is open and we are looking forward to more partnerships around the world."

David Long, former California secretary of education, said that he has been committed to bring the best California education to China so that students can pursue their creative passions and follow their intellectual natures.

With Long's leadership, the Pegasus California School Qingdao campus was launched in Jimo district of Qingdao in September 2016, a result of cooperation between the California Education Department and local Chinese government.

The school's first batch of students graduated on June 22 and all of them received offers from the top 85 US universities.

"With the full support of the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Pegasus California School has been allowed to share resources, teaching experiences, and other valuable programs directly with the California State Education Department," said Long.

Long was entrusted as the talent and intelligence consultant, as well as the investment adviser of Qingdao Oceantec Valley, a high-tech zone located in Jimo focusing on the development of marine science.

Long added that the Pegasus California School would enhance academic exchanges with schools in Jimo.

Steven Ma, co-founder of the Pegasus California School, said that the school plans to establish new campuses in China, but the top priority should be to guarantee the high quality of our teaching, adding that all the teachers at the school are California-certified teachers.

Educational experts from China and the United States share their views regarding talent cultivation on June 22 in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

David Long (left), former California secretary of education, receives a letter of appointment from Zhang Jun, Party chief of Qingdao Jimo district. Long has been entrusted as the talent and intelligence consultant, as well as the investment adviser of Qingdao Oceantec Valley. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The first batch of student graduates from Pegasus California School Qingdao Campus. They have been enrolled in top universities across the United States. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]