The selection of the “2017 Outstanding Graduates of the Open University of China (OUC)” has been completed, and 488 students have received the honour.
In October of 2017, the Notice on Launching the Selection of Outstanding 2017 Graduates (Guokaixue 2017-7) was published. Each branch and its corresponding schools organised the selection and recommendation of graduates. 497 candidates were recommended to the OUC headquarters, and relevant materials were submitted. In March of 2018, the OUC Learner Support and Teacher Development Centre conducted a preliminary review of student information. The Centre held an expert-panel video review to select the outstanding graduates on 19April, 2018.
At the selection meeting, Li Linshu, OUC vice president, pointed out that outstanding graduates play an exemplary role, influence those around them, and represent the quality of learner development at the OUC. It is essential for the development of the OUC to find and publicise its outstanding graduates. He emphasised the need to constantly upgrade the methods for selecting outstanding graduates, improving the selection standards and system, and taking the selection as an opportunity to advance student-centered educational reforms and continue the construction of a positive learning environment at the OUC.
At the conference, experts gave their opinions on the selection of the outstanding graduates and their work, including the refining of the review standards, the optimisation of the selection mechanism, increases in the public exposure of the outstanding graduates, the establishment of incentives for student work, and the enhancement of student enthusiasm.
Following the expert review and a week of publicity, 488 students were awarded the honourary title of “2017 OUC Outstanding Graduate”.
The outstanding students are studious and hard-working, talented, conscientious and responsible. They are from all walks of life and represent a variety of professions: grassroots workers, farmers, teachers, police officers and medical workers, as well as leaders and cadres in enterprises and public institutions, among others. No matter their occupation or position, they all silently contribute to society with their efforts, and deserve this public affirmation. Many of these graduates had already received honourary titles such as “National May lst Labour Medal”, “March 8 Red-Flag Pace-Setter” (an honourary title for exemplary women), “Youth Post Expert”, “Advanced Worker”, “Outstanding Communist Party Member”, and others.
By Chen Yan, OUC