The Symposium on Open and Innovative Education, created by the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK), aims to bring together scholars in the field of open and innovative education from all over the world to solve outstanding problems, exchange scientific research views, and explore cooperation methods.

Since 2017, the symposium has been held three times by the OUHK and the Open University of China (OUC). The symposium, which lasts for a day, has three parts: an opening ceremony, keynote speeches, and academic reports (sharing scientific research achievements and innovation practices). The participants share the latest research results and innovative practices in the field of open and innovative education, and exchange views on related opportunities and challenges. In 2015, the two universities signed a strategic cooperation agreement which was valid for three years and expired on 31 March 2018. The symposium has strengthened cooperation between the two sides. It has enhanced academic exchange and scientific research cooperation between scholars from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, offering access to the concepts and views of renowned experts from all over the world and promoting the common development of both sides.

The 1st Symposium on Open and Innovative Education was held in Hong Kong on 27 October 27 2017, with the OUHK as the main organiser and the OUC as the co-organiser. The symposium, set for 50 participants with the theme of "Open and Innovative Education,” invited scholars from the UK, the US, and Taiwan to give keynote speeches. Four representatives from the OUHK and the OUC attended the meeting and gave academic reports.

The 2nd Symposium on Open and Innovative Education was held in Beijing on 18 October 2018, with the OUC as the main organiser and the OUHK as the co-organiser. The symposium, with the theme of "Management and Leadership,” was arranged for 100 participants. Experts from Ireland, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and the OUC system were invited to give keynote speeches. Representatives from Singapore's University of Social Sciences and researchers from the OUC were also invited to give academic presentations.
The 3rd Symposium on Open and Innovative Education, which was sponsored by the OUC, co-sponsored by the OUHK, and organised by Hunan Radio and TV University (Hunan RTVU), was held in Changsha, Hunan province on 22 October 2019. The theme of the symposium was "Cooperation: Modes, Experiences, and Channels.” Experts from the Philippines, Turkey, Hong Kong, and the OUC system were invited to give Keynote speeches. Researchers from the Philippines, Hong Kong and the OUC system also gave academic reports.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the two organisers of the symposium decided to convene the 2020 Symposium on Open and Innovative Education online in July 2020.