East China Normal University - Education in the lead

East China Normal University (ECNU) is unique among our twelve case institutions as the only normal university, also the only university in the major coastal metropolis of Shanghai. This chapter thus begins with a brief historical overview as a background for understanding ECNU’s role in the move to mass higher education. From there it looks at the changes in student numbers, curricula, finance and governance over the period from 1990 to 2005. Next some views of the leaders on vision and strategic direction are presented, also a discussion of the major decisions around merger, expansion and international orientation. Finally the perspectives of faculty and students on key issues of concern are summarized. The conclusion seeks to identify the new ethos of the normal university that is being developed in the Chinese context, and the challenges it faces.