On 16 June 2020, the Open University of China (OUC) held a video conference for pre-competition mobilisation and training for the Sixth China International Internet+ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition for College and University Students (hereinafter referred to as the competition).

According to the arrangements of the Notice on Holding the Sixth China International Internet+ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition for College and University Students issued by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the OUC organised for its operational system to take part in the competition on behalf of the OUC branches.
The conference was conducted by remote two-way video. Wu Shixing, a second-level inspector from the Department of Higher Education and director of the General Affairs Department of the MOE, Jing Degang, secretary of the Party Committee and president of the OUC, Qi Yanwei, OUC vice president, and heads of relevant departments from the OUC headquarters attended the meeting in the main venue. Presidents of all branches and schools, as well as persons in charge and staff of related departments, attended the video meeting in the branch venues. The meeting was presided over by Qi Yanwei.
As part of the pre-competition mobilisation, Jing Degang put forward five requirements for how to organise and participate in the competition. First, great importance should be attached to the event. The competition is a growth factor for promoting economic and social development, a touchstone to test the achievements of the university’s education and teaching reform, and a stepping-stone to help students grow and become talented professionals, which is crucial to the development of the country, society, and the OUC. With the support of the MOE, the OUC signed up for the competition for the first time. All branches, colleges, and relevant departments should understand the importance of the competition and make preparations accordingly. Second, we should cherish these hard-won opportunities and demonstrate the education level of the OUC system through strict organisation, a good image, and excellent results. Third, we should give full play to the advantages of OUC students in terms of work and life experience, social practices, the courage to make new attempts, and the advantages of the OUC organisation system, and fully display the characteristics and education level of open universities. Fourth, we should do a good job of coordination and cooperation. The competition represents a comprehensive test of the OUC’s education and teaching work, so we should pool our efforts and create a winning strategy. The heads of all of the branches and colleges are expected to make deployments in person and the leaders in charge of the branches and colleges should proactively offer guidance. Major responsible departments should concentrate their strength and spare no efforts, and related departments should closely cooperate with each other. Fifth, we should strive to make stable progress. We should use “making stable progress” as the general guiding principle for the competition and fight a prepared battle. At the same time, we should avoid rushing for success or dealing with the competition carelessly. Jing Degang stressed that the OUC system should leverage its collective wisdom and efforts, work together to overcome any difficulties with a high sense of responsibility and honour, which will be a great gift for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
In his speech, Wu Shixing pointed out that the OUC system’s participation in the competition is a highlight of this year’s event. After several years of exploration, the competition has accumulated plenty of good experience. First, it has promoted the growth of students. A powerful force of professionals with productive innovation and entrepreneurship has been established, and a large number of young people with ideals, abilities, and responsibilities have been cultivated. Second, it has improved education by effectively driving the in-depth development of the reform of innovation and entrepreneurship in education and realised the transformation of the talent training mechanism. Third, innovation has been boosted. New energy has been injected into the high-quality development of entrepreneurship and innovation, spawning a large number of new industries, models, and business formats. Fourth, the competition will help improve the level of internationalisation and the international influence of innovation and entrepreneurship education of colleges and universities in China.

Wu Shixing also introduced the theme, overall arrangement, and features of the competition. He said that the competition is of great significance in driving higher-level employment, guiding the reform of innovation and entrepreneurship education, and continuously leading the university talent training paradigm. We should put in effort to make sure that the competition is a grand event for young people around the world to engage in innovation and entrepreneurship, and make contributions to the implementation of China’s innovation-driven entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship-led employment strategies.
Qi Yanwei pointed out that the OUC system should attach great importance to the competition, cherish the opportunity to take part, and meticulously prepare for the competition. It should mobilise the strength of the whole system and give full play to its unique advantages. Participants should give the best account of themselves, make a good start, and display the innovation and entrepreneurship achievements of the OUC students to members of society, as it will help to increase the reputation of the OUC and make innovation and entrepreneurship education an important brand of talent training at the OUC.

Writted by Yi Xin, photos by Zhuge Huanyu, OUC