On 20 March 2024, the Open University of China (OUC) held a seminar in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. The event aimed to explore the development and experiences of implementing course openness initiatives and multi-entry learning systems, with a focus on advancing the course openness pilot project.
Li Song, a member of the OUC's Party Committee and vice president, attended the seminar. Leaders from Xi'an Open University and the Management System for Course Openness Pilot Project, as well as over 30 staff members from the OUC's Academic Affairs Department and Credit Bank, also participated. The seminar was chaired by Gu Xiaohua, director of the OUC's Academic Affairs Department.
Li Song highlighted that the Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China laid out a comprehensive vision for the development of a modern socialist country in all respects and outlined key strategies for establishing a strong educational system. The OUC is poised to be a significant force in creating a learning society, continually adapting to the varied learning needs of the population. By developing a platform for lifelong learning services, the OUC aims to supply the public with a wealth of high-quality learning resources and services, thereby responding to the call of becoming "A Leading Country in Education: The OUC's Role." The Course Openness Pilot Project is a critical tool for the OUC in fostering a learning society, having shown initial success over the past five years by expanding access to high-quality learning resources for the community. Li Song stressed the importance of broadening perspectives and encouraging constant innovation to better cater to students' learning requirements.
At the seminar, participants emphasised the significance of course openness, offering updates on the progress, achievements, and challenges faced by the course openness initiative. They suggested prioritizing student needs, enhancing partnerships with the government, businesses, and other universities, and concentrating on the integration of courses and certifications to boost the curriculum's appeal. Attendees actively shared their perspectives and experiences, engaging in comprehensive discussions about the future direction of course openness, course appeal, learning methodologies, incentive systems, and other vital issues.
The seminar was productive, with valuable insights and recommendations from participants set to drive progress in school course openness and reform. Looking ahead, the OUC will leverage its strengths to offer an improved course learning experience through more flexible and diverse teaching methodologies.
By OUC Academic Affairs Department