Born in Jiangsu, China, FENG Weiwei (vivian) received her Bachelor degree in Mechanical and electronic Engineering Education from Xuzhou Normal University, China, and Master degree in Technical Education from Nanjing  Normal University, China. During last three years, she participated in several research projects in technical education field and the organization work of national teachers trainings for high-school technical teachers in mainland China. Weiwei joined the School of Design in 2008 as a PhD student .Her research is focused on design education at primary and secondary levels.

RESEARCH TITLE
A Research Study on the Curriculum Development of Design Education in the Primary and Secondary Schools in Mainland China

NAME OF PhD ADVISOR
Prof. Michael SIU

SHORT INTRODUCTION / DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH PROJECT
Mainland China introduced modern design education system in 1980's and there were significant development during past twenty years. As different from developed western countries, design education in mainland China develops along the rapid development of social economy in the last 20 years until now. At present, Mainland China is not only a mega country of manufacturing industry and also a big export country. Industrial basis in the major cities is well developed; however, the products are less novel, creative and unique as compared to other countries. Chinese products are weak in self-design and self-brand. The key reason could be weak capability in product design and design education at different levels.
To meet various kinds of industrial sectors’ demand for product designers, the number of tertiary colleges and universities with the courses relating industrial design has been increasing significantly year by year.
But it is difficult to enhance and uplift the country's overall standard of innovative design merely depending on colleges and universities. This requires more extensive nurturing environment for design education. Therefore, design education curriculum developed in primary and secondary schools (PSS) is of greater demand.
This project aims to investigate the development and construction of design education system within the framework of the technology education curriculum of PSS. It also intends to tackle on several problems which occur when design education is fully integrated into technology curriculum of PSS.
The objectives of the project are:

1. to investigate the value of design education system in PSS and to determine
   • the inherent characteristics, times connotation and concept renewal of design education in PSS;
   • the relationship between the design education of PSS and national interest, design education in PSS and students' development;
   • the relationship between design education system of PSS and national education reform
   • the nature and objective of the design education of PSS in the new era.
2. to explore the practicability of design education system in PSS and to perform
   • comparative research on design education development and implementation in PSS abroad
   • studies on its adaptability to the new era in China
3. to study on the construction of design education system in PSS, including
   • its target system, content system and implementing system;
   • the influencing factors during construction.