On 21 June 2024, the Open University of China (OUC) hosted a symposium titled "Integrated Collaborative Advancement of High-Quality Innovative Development in Open Education." Wang Guangyan, a member of the Leading Party Group and vice minister of the Ministry of Education (MOE), attended the symposium.

Wang Guangyan, a member of the Leading Party Group and vice minister of the Ministry of Education, attended the symposium and delivered a speech.

Li Zhi, deputy director of the Department of Vocational and Adult Education of the MOE, delivered a speech.

Wang Qiming, secretary of the Party Committee and president of the OUC, presided over the symposium.

It was noted at the symposium that over the past 45 years, the OUC has consistently reinforced the Party’s overarching leadership. It has made irreplaceable historical contributions to China's economic and social development, significant contributions to the widespread adoption of higher education, and unique contributions to providing higher education to special groups. The university has established the world's largest distance education system, known as the Chinese model, and has pioneered new approaches to the development of elderly education in proactive response to an ageing population.

At the symposium, it was emphasised that the OUC must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The university needs to fully grasp the critical importance of the Two Establishments and ensure the implementation of the Two Upholds. In the context of transforming into a leading country in education, the university should capitalize on historical opportunities, expedite the development of a world-class open university with Chinese characteristics, and achieve new milestones in building a learning society. It's imperative to fully implement the Party's education policies, effectively achieving the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education. There is a crucial need to deepen reform and innovation, with a focus on enhancing the capacity and level of talent cultivation in open education. It's vital to accelerate digital empowerment, taking a leadership role in the national strategy for the digitalisation of education. Strengthening integrated education is essential, as it consolidates a community for the development of the open universities. It's essential to align with the national strategy of proactive response to population ageing, by expanding and strengthening universities for the elderly. Finally, it is vital to boost internationalisation, creating new opportunities for educational opening up to the outside world.

Zhou Dejin, a department director at the Bureau of Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and co-planner of the OUC's popular science course "Academician Lectures," delivered a speech representing the collaborative institutions.

Ji Jing, deputy mayor of Suzhou Municipal People's Government, Jiangsu Province, delivered a speech representing the local governments.

Wang Wei, a member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, level-I professor, chief expert of “Project to Trace the Origins of Chinese Civilisation” and leading lecturer for cultural courses at the OUC, delivered a speech representing renowned master teachers.

Long Fugang, a 2018 graduate of OUC’s Administrative Management programme, served as a delegate to the 20th National Party Congress, and is a National Model Worker as well as a recipient of the National May 1 Labour Medal. Currently, he is a senior operator at the Xingyi Power Supply Bureau of the Guizhou Branch, China Southern Power Grid Company. He recently delivered a speech representing outstanding alumni.

Tang Minfei, a 2006 graduate of the Chinese Language and Literature programme at OUC, is a National Model Teacher and a Special-grade Teacher in Hubei Province. Currently, he serves as the executive principal of Mianzhou School in Xiantao City, Hubei Province. Here he is delivering a speech as a representative of outstanding alumni.

Shi Shaofang, an undergraduate majoring in Business Administration from the 2023 class at OUC, and a graduate with a Master’s degree in Solid Mechanics from Beihang University, is currently employed as an operator at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. Today, he is delivering a speech representing current students.

Lou Ganqiang, a student majoring in Rural Regional Development from the 2022 class at OUC, and the secretary of the general Party Branch as well as the head of the Villagers’ Committee of Lianfeng Village, Huzhen Township, Jinyun County, Zhejiang Province, delivered a speech representing current students.

Sun Zhijuan, vice dean and professor of the OUC’s School of Science and Engineering, delivered a speech representing the teachers.

Officials from the relevant departments and directly affiliated units of the Ministry of Education (MOE), along with representatives from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the Suzhou Municipal Government, attended the symposium. The event was chaired by Wang Qiming, secretary of the Party Committee and president of the OUC. During the symposium, distinguished alumni, current students, and faculty members delivered speeches.

By Yi Xin, OUC