A Study On The Development Of Higher Vocational Education In Anhui Province

Higher vocational education is an important part of higher education in China. It's not only a part of higher education but also a part of vocational education. Athough it belongs to vocational education areas, but it is at the level of higher education. To develop vocational education is promoted as an important education policy in China, and also the pivot of higher educational development in Anhui Province.This paper has theoretically analysed the higher vocational and technical education, making the definitions of the concepts of higher vocational education, short-cycle specialized institution, vocational higher education institution, etc. It distinguishes higher vocational education from higher professional education and general higher education, and explains the significance of developing higher vocational education. The paper has reviewed the history of vocational higher education in Anhui Province which had developed for more than a century. Since the establishment of High Shool, Special High School and Industrial High School at the end of Qing Dynasty, Anhui Province has witnessed five periods in the development of higher vocational education. According to the questionnaire investigation and interview made among teachers and students in 6 representative vocational college in Anhui Province, the auther has discribed the present situation of higher vocational education in Anhui Province and points out some common problems. Higher vocational colleges of our province still have many parts that needs to be improved such as educational ideas, orientation, capital investment, curriculum models, curriculum development, the relationship between theoretical knowledge and practical aspects, theoretical education and practical teaching arrangements, training facilities and bases construction, school-enterprise cooperation, "Double Type Teachers" faculty construction, employment guidance and services, the quality of employment, etc. In addition, the author holds that a regional imbalance still exists in the development of higher vocational education in our province.The thesis has also examined the human capital theory related to higher vocational education and its relationship with regional development. The thesis holds that the key points of human capital theory dose not only provide the basis of formal qualifications for higher vocational but also provides the basis of non-academic education. On the relationship between regional development and higher vocational education, the author believes that vocational colleges must establish a school system that can really link with the regional development as soon as possible, and the focus of running schools should shift to strengthening the internal organs in order to meet the requirements of rapid industrial regulatory; the author emphasizes the adaptation of personnel training on regional economic and social development, to appropriate and promote the sustainable development of regional economy.By introducing and analyzing the successful experience in orientation, curriculum development, teaching modes, training, faculty training in the United States, Japan, Germany and the developed provinces (Jiangsu, Zhejiang) of China, the author holds that the successful experience in terms of legal protection mechanisms in vocational education, regional vocational education, organization of teaching practice session, and the high level "Double Type Teachers" faculty construction combining full-time teachers and part-time teachers etc. of the United States, Japan,Germany and developed provinces in China (Jiangsu, Zhejiang) could serve as a reference for the development of higher vocational education in our province. As to the countermeasures of developing higher vocational education in Anhui Province, the author believes we should take the following measures:First, the government should increase investment in vocational education; second, higher vocational colleges should accurate the orientation and adjust the curriculum setting according to the demands of the market; Third, to exhibit Anhui Higher Vocational Education Characteristics by developing capability-based curriculum and innovating teaching modes; Fourth, to take the roads of combination of production and education, building the training base both on and out of the campus, focusing on school-enterprise cooperation; Fifth, higher vocational colleges should strengthen the "Double Type Teachers" faculty construction, shift the trends of emphasizing theory but belittling practice, emphasizing degrees but belittling abilities, emphasizing lectures but belittling practical training. The author believes that we must develop higher vocational education vigorously in order to promote Anhui economic and social development, as long as we pay high attention to it and finds out proper measures, higher vocational education in Anhui can develop healthily and it can make contribution to social and economic development in Anhui. In the new historical period, the development of higher vocational education will continue to focus on the development of higher education in Anhui Province, because it is not only a new point of growth, but also new impetus to social and economic development in Anhui.