On 22 April 2021, the Open University of China (OUC) held a video conference to review the work, and commend the winners, of the 6th China International Internet Plus College Student Innovation Competition (CIICSIEC). Instructions for preparations for the 7th competition were also delivered.

At the conference, conducted via remote two-way video, Jing Degang, secretary of the Party Committee and president of the OUC; Liu Xianghong, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and secretary of the Discipline Inspection Committee; and representatives of the OUC’s Bingtuan Branch, as well as branches in Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hunan and Qinghai provinces, all winners in the 6th CIICSIEC, attended in person, while more than 300 attendees, including the presidents of OUC branches and schools, as well as leaders and staff of relevant departments, attended from their branches via video link. The conference was presided over by Liu Xianghong.

Jing Degang gave a speech to mobilise members of the OUC to prepare for the 7th CIICSIEC. First, he clarified that the OUC was participating in the competition in order to promote educational reforms, enhance the skills and boost the morale of teaching teams, and promote innovation and entrepreneurship. Second, he praised the achievements of the OUC in the 6th CIICSIEC, and attributed them to the following four aspects: first, the coordinated actions of all 27 branches and schools of the system in organising their respective competitions; second, the 1,068 entries, a huge number, covering “internet plus” in areas such as modern agriculture, manufacturing, and information technology, with tens of thousands of students involved; third, the gratifying results, with 59 projects from 16 OUC branches qualifying for province-level competitions and winning prizes that including 9 gold, 21 silver, and 29 bronze medals, while in the finals the OUC’s Bingtuan branch won a silver medal, and five projects from the Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hunan and Qinghai branches won bronze; and fourth, the ability of the OUC teams to stand out from the competition in the finals despite being there for the first time. For these reasons, the OUC has decided to award RMB 1 million to the silver-medal winner and 500,000 yuan each to the bronze-medal winners. With the 7th CIICSIEC about to commence, Jing Degang expressed the hope that all branches and schools would attach to it the importance it deserves, with leaders planning for and mobilising massive OUC participation, focusing on organisation and project guidance to aim for even greater achievements in 2021.

Liu Xianghong reads the commendations of prize winners. Jing Degang and Liu Xianghong present them their awards.

The winning branches receive their awards.

The bronze-medal projects receive their awards.

The silver-medal-winning project leader receives the award.

Xu Gang, deputy director of the OUC Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development, gave an overview of the provisions for the 7th CIICSIEC, while Ren Jianjun, vice president of the OUC’s Bingtuan Branch, and Wang Hongyu, vice president of the Liaoning Branch, shared their experiences taking part in the competition.

To conclude, Liu Xianghong put forward five requirements for each branch and school participating in the next competition. The first was that it should raise awareness of and attach great importance to the competition, with all leaders of participating branches and schools treating it as an important step toward reform of innovation and entrepreneurship education. Second, it should adapt as necessary, and plan carefully in terms of competition process and project design, providing participants with training and skills guidance. Third, it should ensure sound leadership by setting up a special leadership group and allocating funds. Fourth, it should publicise the event widely as a means of encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, with individual models identified in order stimulate enthusiasm. Finally, it should take appropriate steps to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Written by Di Xiaoxuan; Photos by Zhuge Huanyu and Weng Jianbin, OUC