Beijing, 14 March 2026 — The Engineering Research Centre of Integration and Application of Digital Learning Technology (Engineering Research Centre)—a key initiative under China's Ministry of Education (MOE)—convened its Technical Committee renewal meeting and development seminar. at the Open University of China (OUC). ZHAO Qinping, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; SHU Hua, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Science, Technology and Informatisation of the MOE; and WANG Qiming, President of OUC, attended the meeting and delivered addresses.
Experts from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beihang University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing Normal University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Zhejiang University, Central China Normal University, Sichuan University, and Xidian University, as well as enterprise representatives from Higher Education Press, Huawei, iFlytek, and Alibaba Cloud, gathered to witness the appointment of new Technical Committee and discuss key technologies and development directions for digital education. FAN Xianrui, OUC Vice President and Director of the Engineering Research Centre, presided over the meeting.
ZHAO Qinping reviewed the development journey of the Engineering Research Centre since its establishment in 2013, fully affirming its achievements in supporting the construction of open universities and advancing digitalisation in education. He expressed high expectations for the new Technical Committee.
SHU Hua put forward four requirements: first, to strengthen technology integration and focus on achieving breakthroughs in core technologies; second, to emphasise practical application by leveraging real-world scenarios within the OUC system to serve lifelong learning for all; third, to build high-level teams and fully leverage the Technical Committee's role as a "think tank"; and fourth, to consolidate joint efforts and secure support from multiple sources.
WANG Qiming noted that the Engineering Research Centre has been designated a key priority in OUC's 15th Five-Year Plan. The university will increase support in talent, funding, and facilities, optimise operational mechanisms, and fully support breakthroughs in key technologies and application demonstrations.
The meeting marked the official appointment of the new Technical Committee, chaired by Professor YANG Zongkai. The Committee brings together experts from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Normal University, Beihang University, Central China Normal University and other leading institutions, alongside industry partners from Higher Education Press, Huawei, iFlytek, and Alibaba Cloud. FAN Xianrui presented a work report, while CHENG Gang, Director of the Department of Digitalisation at OUC, presented a technical report.
The seminar featured intense discussions on key technology breakthroughs, collaborative innovation mechanisms, and the construction of "digital universities." Participants offered concrete suggestions and pledged to leverage the Committee's strategic advisory role to drive both technological advancement and real-world application.
In his concluding remarks, newly appointed Chair YANG Zongkai struck a forward-looking tone. "We must seize the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence," he said. "We need to identify the Engineering Research Centre's positioning within China's national educational digitalisation strategy, focus on serving lifelong learning and digital university construction, and produce landmark achievements."
By Engineering Research Centre of Integration and Application of Digital Learning Technology, MOE
Published: 19 March 2026