Shanghai, 13 April 2026 - The Signing Ceremony for the strategic cooperation agreement between the Open University of China (OUC) and Shanghai Normal University was held at Shanghai Normal University (SHNU). OUC President Dr. WANG Qiming and Vice President LI Song; SHNU President Dr. CHEN Heng, and Dr. YUAN Wen, former President of SHNU and Dean of its Research Institute for Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development; Dr. MIN Hui, Party Secretary of Shanghai Ocean University; JIA Wei, President of Shanghai Open University; YAN Pengtao, Director of the Lifelong Education Division of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission; and heads of relevant departments attended the event. The Signing Ceremony was chaired by SHNU Vice President Dr. YANG Haiyan.
Dr. WANG Qiming noted that the national 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly calls for "optimising public services in support of lifelong learning and improving the Open University of China system," which fully demonstrates the Party Central Committee's high attention for lifelong education and presents new era imperatives for the innovative development of the OUC system. This strategic cooperation is of great significance, representing a deep integration of theoretical research and practical exploration in the field of lifelong education. The two sides will jointly focus on the following directions: First, conducting research on ubiquitous and accessible lifelong education systems and major policies, and building a research and practice hub for lifelong education with Chinese characteristics; Secondly, striving to become a think tank, driver, and vanguard for empowering the learning society through digital intelligence, and jointly building a new ecosystem for lifelong education; Thirdly, working together to make greater contributions to building a leading country in education and a learning society.
Dr. CHEN Heng stated that Shanghai has unique advantages in building a lifelong education system, and the two sides have already established a good foundation for cooperation, with even broader space for future collaboration. SHNU will fully support the cooperation between the two universities.
Dr. YUAN Wen stated that the Research Institute for Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development, as the daily liaison department for this strategic cooperation, will do its utmost to promote substantive progress between the two universities in theoretical research, talent cultivation, and resource sharing.
The two sides will adhere to the principles of "complementary advantages, collaborative innovation, resource sharing, and common development," and carry out in-depth cooperation in three major areas: jointly building the Lifelong Education Research Institute, cooperation on graduate supervisors, and the Lifelong Education Data Centre. First, relying on SHNU's academic advantages in lifelong education and OUC's rich practical experience, to establish a joint research mechanism focusing on institutional and policy research such as lifelong education legislation, and to produce research outcomes; Secondly, conducting pilots in fields such as elderly education and community education, and creating replicable models; Thirdly, exploring cross-university joint graduate cultivation, strengthening practical ability cultivation and international cooperation; Fourthly, jointly building a data-driven lifelong education decision-making system to support precise governance.
Written by DU Ruo, XU Xiongwei
Photo by LIU Yating
Published: 17 April 2026