Globally, while empirical research has flourished in some developed countries and regions with impressive contributions to quality early childhood education and child development and learning, relatively little evidence-based research is going on in Macau, as well as the Greater China region, where the world's largest population of children reside. For FED, a most important way to enhance the well-being of children is to conduct scientifically sound empirical research that will contribute to the rational policy-making and best practice.

The CECECD aims

 

• To develop a high quality research team in Macau and in the Greater China region. A team of multidisciplinary researchers/scholars will actively seek internal and external funding opportunities for conducting research on issues of both local and global relevance. The multidisciplinary team will explore innovative means to enhance the research capacity, and to disseminate its research findings in prestigious outlets in early childhood education and related fields that will have both local and global exposure. The centre is leading a series of empirical studies on various topics, e.g., early childhood education policy and equity issues; early childhood quality evaluation; school readiness, professional development; family empowerment. Etc., in collaboration with both regional educational agencies and major universities.

 

• To serve as a platform facilitating scholarly exchanges among researchers and practitioners in this region and overseas. Through scholarly activities, such as conferences, research projects, dialogues, post-doc programs and visiting scholarships, the centre aims to stimulate collaborations among scholars in this region and beyond. The centre welcomes the participation and contribution of individuals with diverse viewpoints and perspectives but sharing a common goal to achieve excellence in the education and development of young children. The centre hosts annual conference to share research findings from on-going projects with different stakeholders.

 

• To be committed to the local community through an array of service activities. Specifically, seminars, workshops, and technical training programs are provided to local professionals, practitioners and parents in order to support their understanding and use of evidence-based practices. More importantly, the centre provides consultation services to local education organizations in terms of policy formation on critical issues. For example, the centre is currently conducting quality evaluation reports for three large schools and districts in Guangdong province on their performances in classroom quality experiences and children's school readiness competencies.

 

 

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