Earlier this month, word got out that Google is developing a censored version of its search engine for use in China. Why?
Google has been out of the China market for several years, and the websites for is products are currently blocked there. Not only is the company’s current search offering inaccessible in the country, so are other services provided by Google, like Gmail and YouTube.
Google is not alone. Other sites like Facebook and Instagram also are blocked in China through a group of tools known as “the Great Firewall.”
Does your institution use these services to connect with alumni and parents around the world? If so, you may not be reaching your constituents in China.
There are workarounds that can help Chinese users to stay connected with US institutions without too much difficulty. Some schools, colleges, and universities here in the United States have started offering their Chinese constituents help accessing online campus materials. They offer instructions for using VPNs (virtual private networks), set up email accounts that will work in China, and provide content through video sharing and social media platforms that are based and accessible in China.
What does your institution do to connect with alumni and parents in China?
Photo: “谷歌中国總部” by Fan Yang