The Open University of China (OUC) recently hosted a special training programme for Pharmacy major teachers at the National Vocational Education Teachers' Enterprise Practice Base.
This programme aimed to implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's educational principles, develop a high-quality teaching workforce, foster the integration of industry and education, and enhance the pedagogical skills of teachers. The training, held in Jinan City, Shandong Province, was organised by the Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development and co-organised by the Faculty of Agroforestry and Medicine (Rural Revitalisation College), with the National Vocational Education Teachers' Enterprise Practice Base undertaking the event.
In total, 36 teachers from OUC's headquarters and its 21 branch schools participated in the training. The programme consisted of two segments: thematic reports and field teaching.
In the thematic report session, representatives from various enterprises presented their company's chronic disease management systems, services for chronic diseases in stores, and the evolution of the pharmaceutical chain industry. They also discussed the current state of digital transformation in enterprise management, collaboration between schools and enterprises, and emerging trends in drug retailing.
During their field training session, the trainee teachers visited various sites, including the corporate culture exhibition hall of local pharmacies, where they observed the highly automated processes for drug acceptance, review, and distribution at a pharmaceutical logistics company. They also toured a three-dimensional pharmaceutical warehouse and a Chinese medicine warehouse. Additionally, they observed the health service programmes offered by the community, such as community medical care, rehabilitation, meal assistance for the elderly, and vaccination services. Their visits also included pharmacy stores, traditional Chinese medicine clinics, displays of traditional Chinese medicine specimens, innovative and specialty pharmacies, and traditional Chinese medicine preparation rooms.
During the training, participating teachers engaged in active discussions and shared ideas on enhancing their practical teaching skills. This included conducting graduation projects for students, writing theses and dissertations, applying for degrees, creating and using digital learning resources, forming teaching teams, reforming examination methods, and promoting scientific research collaboration among educators.
This training programme marked a significant milestone for OUC's Pharmacy educators, as it offered their first in-depth opportunity to study within enterprises. Throughout this training, the participating teachers gained expansive perspectives and insights into the evolving direction of the pharmaceutical retail industry, the industry's demand for pharmacy talent, innovative talent cultivation models adopted by enterprises, as well as the extensive digitalisation and intelligence in enterprise management. The teachers conveyed their gratitude for the novel, content-rich, and advantageous activities and committed to aligning their future teaching and practice with the industry’s demand for pharmaceutical talent. They pledged to pursue continual enhancement in the level of education and teaching in the Pharmacy major, and to improve the quality of talent cultivation.
By Faculty of Agroforestry and Medicine (Rural Revitalisation College)