Oval seal on OSU campus

Phillip Ward was selected as a national high-end expert for the People's Republic of China

Phillip Ward Phillip Ward

 

After five years of visiting the world’s most populous country, Phillip Ward has been appointed as a high-end foreign expert on physical education by the People's Republic of China. During his appointment’s three-year tenure, Ward will be based at East China Normal University and will stay in the country for at least 30 days each year.

As a professor who prepares physical education teachers in the Department of Human Sciences, Ward is the first in his field to be awarded the prestigious honor by China’s State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs. China created the honor to attract highly accomplished foreign professionals to promote scientific development disciplines, innovation and cultural exchange.

Frequently invited to lecture around the globe, Ward has already made an impact in China. He has presented to East China Normal University and nine other Universities on the ways that pedagogical content knowledge can strengthen teacher professional development and student learning.

“Dr. Ward is a leader in his field. Our faculty, students and citizens will learn so much from him during his time in China,” said Xiaozan Wang, dean of the College of Physical Education and Health at East China Normal University.

In addition to serving universities, Ward has been a research expert by presenting to Chinese government agencies, including the Guangdong Province’s Department of Education and the Guangzhou Institute of Education. During his lectures, he discussed the design and assessment of behavioral and environmental interventions to promote physical activity for diverse populations.

Two of Ward’s lectures on physical education curriculum were even video recorded and converted into massive online open courses (MOOC) for all teachers and students in China to access.

Ward will join hundreds of Ohio State faculty and staff in calling China home as he conducts research, mentors international students and presents lectures to crowds of attentive academics and teachers.

China also hosts an Ohio State global gateway center in Shanghai, which has provided financial support for a previous visit by Ward.

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