On July 15, 2016, the Founding Assembly of Learning Outcomes Accreditation Alliance & 1st Council Meeting was held at the Open University of China (OUC), officially announcing the founding of the Learning Outcomes Accreditation Alliance.

This is the first openly cooperative organization to promote the accreditation and transfer of learning outcomes. The Alliance was founded with guidance by the MOE, with lifelong as a core theme, and "learning outcomes framework + standard" as the technical path. The founding of the Alliance was jointly initiated by the OUC, Beijing Open University, Shanghai Open University, Jiangsu Open University, the Open University of Guangdong, Yunnan Open University, MPS Information Classified Security Protection Evaluation Center (CSPEC), China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing, China Association of Social Work, China National Coal Association Training Centre (Coal Industry Vocational Skills Appraisal Guidance Centre), China Foundry Association, and China Post’s training centre.

Liu Jiantong, deputy director of the Department of Vocational and Adult Education under the Ministry of Education , Gao Yang, division chief of Higher Continuing Education Division, and OUC President Yang Zhijian attended the meeting. Twelve Council representatives attended the meeting, in addition to contacts from the Alliance and heads of related business departments from the OUC. The meeting was presided over by OUC Vice President Li Linshu.

 Liu Jiantong extended his congratulations on the establishment of the Alliance. He said that in the context of international experience, the accreditation, accumulation, and transfer system for continuing education learning outcomes is an important part in the global construction of learning societies. At the national level, China attaches great importance to the construction of an accreditation, accumulation, and transfer system. Education planning, the new revised education law, the 13th "five-year" plan for the national economy and social development all mention it. CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping mentioned stated, "Every dog has its day" several times in recent speeches. The accreditation, accumulation, and transfer system for learning outcomes is a reflection of such beliefs. The founding of the Alliance is an important step in the construction and piloting of a system for accreditation, accumulation, and transfer of continuing education learning outcomes, and thus is of great significance. Through the mechanism of credit banks, a bridge will be established between different types of certified agencies to achieve accreditation and resource sharing of learning outcomes. For the construction of the Alliance, Liu put forward four suggestions: first, every side should make joint efforts to reach consensus based on the cooperative principle of "co-building, co-negotiation, and achieving win-win results." Second, they should follow the principle of ″doing some things, and leaving some things undone,″ which will further enhance a sense of responsibility to the mission, to strictly control quality. Active participants should not regard the system as a way to shorten the length of schooling or an excuse to reduce quality; what we do should not result in depreciating diplomas. Third, we should explore, summarize, and refine our experience to set up a pattern that can be understood, learned, and copied. Fourth, never forget the original intent and move on. Always maximize learners' benefit, proceed according to nationwide learning demands and building a learning society, and collaborate to innovate. Gao Yang pointed out that the Alliance is an important achievement in carrying out the accreditation, accumulation, and transfer of learning outcomes, and piloting that work. The Alliance is both a platform and an incubator. Alliance members will hopefully make inquiries and adhere to a principle of making "careful verifications and bold attempts." They should take a scientific approach, practice earnestly, and squarely address the relationships between scale, quality, and benefits. The Alliance will attach great importance to quality, build up the brand, and take steady steps toward a solid start. We hope that with the founding of the Alliance, each year we can make new achievements and progress, and stand the tests of the society. Yang Zhijian stated that the founding of the Alliance is an important measure in implementing early research results. The OUC will work with member units to promote the accreditation, accumulation, and transfer of learning outcomes under the leadership of the MOE’s Department of Vocational and Adult Education, leading the Alliance to fruitful results.

During the meeting, the 12 units jointly signed the Charter of Learning Outcomes Accreditation Alliance. Alliance representatives voted for positions in the first Council. The OUC was elected as Chairman, with the Secretariat located at the OUC.

Director of the OUC Credit Bank’s Business Development Department, Li Lingqun, reported on preparatory work for the founding of the Alliance. Secretary-general Yan Xiaoping reported to the Council about the Alliance’s work focus and plan for 2016. Council representatives discussed and exchanged views on the significance of the founding of the Alliance, thoughts regarding the work, and suggestions for follow-up work.

There are currently 12 Alliance member units managing 174 learning outcomes. There are 152 academic learning outcomes and 22 non-academic learning outcomes. Alliance agencies and learning outcomes will be released to the public on the learning outcome transfer management website (http://cbouc.ouchn.edu.cn/). By establishing and improving the operating mechanism of the Alliance, the Alliance will be able to widen enrollment of Alliance members, expand the cooperative platform, deepen and extend cooperation content, make trials, lay a stronger foundation, as well as make contributions to the construction of both the learning outcomes accreditation, accumulation, transfer system and the credit bank.

By Li Lingqun