In order to implement the goal of building a "Platform for External Cooperation" as stated in the Comprehensive Reform Plan of the Open University of China (OUC) issued by the Ministry of Education, the OUC held a seminar on international cooperation in education operations among members of the open university system at the OUC Qingdao Branch on 19 November 2020.
Yang Xiaotang, vice president of the OUC, Yue Guofeng, secretary of the Party Committee of the Qingdao Branch, president of the Qingdao Branch Zhang Xike, leaders of the OUC branches in Fujian, Chengdu, Xi'an, Dalian, and Ningbo, as well as relevant responsible persons from the International Department of the OUC, attended the seminar.
Before the event, Yang Xiaotang and the delegates visited the Demonstration Zone for Local Economic and Trade Cooperation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) (hereinafter referred to as SCO Demonstration Area) in Qingdao, and had a discussion with Meng Qingsheng, deputy director of the Management Committee of the SCO Demonstration Area. They mainly discussed how to make use of the advantages of the OUC’s platform and system to jointly prepare for the establishment of a Network College of the SCO Demonstration Area in Qingdao, with the aim of enhancing education and cultural communication with SCO countries and launch a new international cooperation platform for countries along the route of the Belt and Road Initiative.
During the seminar, Yang Xiaotang pointed out that open universities should pool their efforts in international development; make use of the advantages of the OUC’s system, teaching models, and resources; closely contact and cooperate with governments at all levels and all walks of life in society; serve China’s opening-up strategy; create a platform for educational cooperation with foreign countries; and play an important role in language learning, cultural exchange, and personnel training.
Shen Lei, a second-class inspector of the Foreign Affairs Office of Qingdao Municipal People's Government, said that he hoped to strengthen cooperation with the OUC and make full use of the resources and platform advantages of both sides to build the Network College of the SCO Demonstration Zone in Qingdao. He also hoped to promote personnel and cultural exchanges with SCO countries and vigorously support the international cooperation and exchange activities of the Qingdao Branch.
The Qingdao Branch introduced the concepts of foreign cooperation used in the construction of the Huaqiao College, the Network College of the SCO Demonstration Area, and the overseas learning centres. The leaders of the OUC branches in Fujian, Chengdu, Xi’an, and other provinces and cities shared their own internationalisation projects and experiences, expressing their willingness to explore new modes of international cooperation under the leadership of the OUC. Furthermore, they hope to strengthen education exchanges and cooperation with countries along the route of the Belt and Road Initiative and jointly implement the strategic task of building a "Platform for Foreign Cooperation" as part of the OUC Comprehensive Reform Plan.
By Chen Na, OUC