To implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important directives on vigorously promoting the spirit of educators, the Open University of China (OUC) hosted a publicity event on 11 June 2024.

This event aimed to create a positive environment in the education system for fostering and practicing the spirit of educators and to build a high-quality team of teachers. Six members of the 2024 "Spirit of Educators" touring publicity team, organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE), presented reports. Comrade Deng Hang, who is responsible for the Division of Teachers’ Professional Integrity within the MOE’s Department of Teacher Education, and Wang Qiming, the Party Committee secretary and president of the OUC, each delivered speeches. Liu Xuanxuan, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission at the OUC, presided over the event.

Wang Qiming attended the event and delivered a speech.

Liu Xuanxuan presided over the event.

Deng Hang emphasised the importance of holding a publicity event to celebrate the spirit of educators, highlighting its role in advancing the high-quality development of open universities. She stressed the necessity for teachers within the Open University system to embody this spirit, deeply engage with the guiding principles from General Secretary Xi Jinping's directives, and strive to be "great masters" known for their knowledge and virtue. Furthermore, she urged the cultivation of the educator's spirit to foster a positive environment that supports the pioneering efforts, growth, and development of teachers.

Zhou Rongfang, a professor at the Marxist School of Zhengzhou University, has been honoured with the title "National Most Beautiful Teacher."

Professor Li Jianguo, director of the Mechanical Engineering Practical Training Centre at Tianjin Vocational Institute, has been honoured with the title "National Most Beautiful Teacher."

Wan Rongchun, a professor at Huludao Open University (Bohai Shipbuilding Vocational College), has been honoured with the title  "National Most Beautiful Teacher."

Li Longmei, Party secretary and principal of the Chongqing Special Education Centre, has been honoured with the title "National Model for Teaching and Educating People."

Liu Xiuxiang, vice principal of Wangmo County Experimental Senior Middle School in Qianxinan Prefecture, Guizhou Province, has been honoured with the title  "National Most Beautiful Teacher."

Guo Xiaofang, a senior teacher at Yuying School in Furong District, Changsha City, Hunan Province, is also the head teacher of the online classroom "I am the Successor" in Hunan Province. Additionally, she is a recipient of the honourary title "National Model for Teaching and Educating People."

Six teachers shared their educational practices and personal growth experiences, vividly illustrating the profound significance of the "spirit of educators." They also pledged their lifelong dedication to the educational cause. The speakers were Zhou Rongfang, a professor at the Marxist School of Zhengzhou University and recipient of the honorary title "National Most Beautiful Teacher"; Professor Li Jianguo, director of the Mechanical Engineering Practical Training Centre at Tianjin Vocational Institute and also a recipient of the "National Most Beautiful Teacher" title; Wan Rongchun, a professor at Huludao Open University (Bohai Shipbuilding Vocational College), honoured with the same title; Li Longmei, Party secretary and principal of Chongqing Special Education Centre, who received the "National Model for Teaching and Educating People" award; Liu Xiuxiang, vice principal of Wangmo County Experimental Senior Middle School in Qianxinan Prefecture, Guizhou Province, another "National Most Beautiful Teacher" honouree; and Guo Xiaofang, a senior teacher at Yuying School in Furong District, Changsha City, Hunan Province, who is the general head teacher of the online classroom "I am the Successor" in Hunan Province, and recipient of the "National Model for Teaching and Educating People" award.

Wang Qiming emphasised that holding a publicity event for the spirit of educators during the 45th anniversary of the Open University's operation is both timely and profoundly significant. He reiterated that teachers at the Open University should consciously use the spirit of educators as their guide. First, they should uphold ideals and convictions, always keeping the collective in mind and serving the country with absolute sincerity, acting as guardians of these ideals. Second, they should exhibit moral sentiment, ensuring their words guide learners and their actions serve as examples for the world, thereby becoming role models of moral ethics. Third, they should display the wisdom to enlighten their students and teach according to individual aptitudes, positioning themselves as pioneers in education. Fourth, they must be diligent in seeking truth and innovation, embodying this professional attitude in their work. Fifth, they should show benevolence by loving their job and their students, devoting themselves wholeheartedly to their roles, and becoming inheritors of benevolence. Sixth, they should adopt a global vision to enable students to develop comprehensively and become individuals with excellent cultural literacy and innovation ability through various educational methods on the basis of moral education, and act as disseminators of this pursuit. He demanded that leaders at all levels within the Open University system prioritize building the teacher team as the most crucial foundational task, incorporate the spirit of educators into all aspects of teacher training, deepen reforms in the professional title system, enhance research management reforms, increase recognition and publicity for outstanding teachers, and create a conducive environment for the development of educators.

The event was conducted both online and offline. Approximately 280 attendees were present in person, including members of the OUC’s leading group in Beijing, heads of all university departments, faculties, and offices, as well as teachers. Meanwhile, around 51,000 individuals from the educational system participated in the collective learning session online.

By Yang Jianliao, OUC