On the morning of 11 May 2021, the Open University of China (OUC) held a youth forum, the 2nd of its kind, on studies of the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Yan Bing, former vice president of the OUC, delivered a report titled "Radio and TV Universities (RTVUs) in the Process of Reform and Opening Up". Liu Chen, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the OUC, presided over the forum, which was attended by members of the youth theory-study group and some faculty.
Yan Bing pointed out in his report that the establishment of RTVUs was an important decision of the top leadership of the CPC at a turning point in the country’s history, directing the exploration and development of open universities in a way suited to China's unique national conditions. China faced many challenges in the process of its reform and opening up, especially deep-seated contradictions and other problems in the reform and development of education, and these had a profound and sustained impact on the reform and development of RTVUs. China's social development, changes in demand for education, educational reform (especially systematic reform), integration of information technology, and the power of RTVUs to seek internal changes together impelled the strategic transformation of these universities and provided a strong driving force for their reform and development. Open universities have the unique advantage of enabling lifelong learning to take place throughout society.
Liu Chen stated in his closing speech that the development of RTVUs is closely connected to the history of reform and opening up, and that therefore study of the history of RTUVs should be linked closely with this history and that of the Party. He also stated that the present generation of RTVU faculty and staff should build on the achievements of the previous in order to promote the continuing development of open and distance education in China.
On 25 April 2021, at the first forum, Zhang Shengen, director of the Fourth Research Department of the Academy of CPC History and Literature Studies, gave a report. Liu Chen also presided, and members of the youth theory-learning group and some OUC faculty attended.
Written by Zhang Wenhui; Photos by Weng Jianbin, OUC