On 6 June 2025, the Open University of China (OUC) convened a symposium on the development of industry and corporate colleges, aiming to further promote standardised operations and enhance educational quality within these institutions.

OUC’s Vice President LI Song attended the meeting, alongside over 30 participants, including heads of 11 industry and corporate colleges and relevant staffs from the university's Academic Affairs Department at the headquarters. The symposium was chaired by GU Xiaohua, head of the Academic Affairs Department.

 
Vice President LI acknowledged the significant contributions of the industry and corporate colleges in cultivating sector-specific talent since their inception. He outlined four key principles to guide the future operations of these colleges:

Firstly, each college must remain steadfast in its mission to cultivate talent for its industry, focusing on developing job-specific competencies and producing a steady stream of well-suited professionals. Secondly, each college must maintain strict adherence to standardised and lawful practices, ensuring that all activities are conducted in compliance with regulations. Thirdly, each college must prioritised educational quality as the cornerstone of its operations. This involves advancing the high-quality development of academic programmes, courses, and learning resources, while deepening teaching reforms to align with adult learning patterns and job competence requirements. Lastly, each college should clarify its unique positioning, leverage its distinctive strengths, and demonstrate a clear industry focus at all levels of operation, thereby enhancing their social influence.

GU Xiaohua provided an in-depth interpretation of the new requirements for the development of industry and corporate colleges as set forth in OUC's reform and innovation plan. He addressed several key concerns, including major development and the establishment of learning centres. GAO Yuanyuan, the deputy head of the Academic Affairs Department, presented the findings of the 2024 special inspection of industry and corporate colleges and outlined the necessary rectification measures.

The heads of the 11 industry and corporate colleges actively engaged in the discussions, expressing their commitment to rigorously implement the new operational requirements set by the university. They pledged to address the issues identified in the special inspection, maintain standardised practices, and continuously elevate educational quality. Their goal is to make a more substantial contribution to enhancing the academic qualifications and job competencies of industry practitioners. The participants also engaged in a thorough exchange of ideas and strategies for the future development of industry and corporate colleges.

Contributed by Academic Affairs Department
Photos by Department of Publicity and United Front Work