Distance Learning in China

In China, during the 1960/1970's there was an increasing demand for higher education in order to bring China's standard of education for students up to the level of higher education found all over the world.
The Beijing Television University and other city-based Television Universities was opened to act in accordance with the desired increase in higher education and become very popular.
TVU's (Television Universities) became a place where students all over China, could partake in Distance Learning (DL) and were able to study from home. Between 1960 and 1966 more than 8,000 students graduated from the Beijing University and the University offered single short courses to students as well.
Still increasingly popular, especially as new media evolves and gets better therefore increasing e-learning ability, the radio and television universities in China have seen 1,291,833 students in the past eight years. 590,941 students have graduated.
China's TVU's have become recognised worldwide. Although the studying of the courses at the TVU's can be done at home, for many subjects practical work must also be shown, eg. laboratory work and suitable areas are found for the work to take place.
Although the TVU's work very well in China there are still issues which surround DL. There are discussions that the amount of studying for DL students is far too much. I find DL very tough to keep on top of and to be motivated to do when there is no physical, FtF support from fellow students and tutors. I therefore cannot imagine how hard it must be for a full-time DL course.
There is also the challenge of over-seeing practical work and being able to assess it.
Even so, China's TVU's have created a much needed increase in higher education and many more qualified professionals.