Recently, the Open University of China (OUC) received the "Notice of Approval for 2024 National Education Science Planning Entrusted Project" issued by the Office of the National Education Science Planning Leading Group.

The University has been entrusted to lead the "Research on Empowering the Construction of a Learning Society with Educational Digitalisation" under the guidance of Wang Qiming, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of OUC. This research falls within the category of interpreting the guiding principles of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the National Conference of Education, and is classified as decision-making consulting research. This marks the first time that OUC has undertaken a national-level major research project focused on interpreting key directives.

The research project is centred on the theme of empowering a learning society through educational digitalisation. It encompasses a broad range of areas, from macro-level examination of the current status and vision planning of educational digitalisation, to key areas such as the construction and operation of a ubiquitous lifelong education system and the development of a digital foundation for building a learning society. The project also explores practical pathways for implementation. The project team consists of experts from OUC, local open universities, and educational administration departments. The integrated team, combining government, academia, research, and practical application, will conduct the research in accordance with the "National Education Science Planning Project Management Measures". The Institute of Lifelong Education at OUC is responsible for developing research plans and timetable, providing specific support and services for the related research.

By Yin Shuangxu, OUC