On 9 October 2024, the first plenary session of the Fourth Academic Committee of the Open University of China (OUC) was held in Beijing.
Wang Qiming, secretary of the Party Committee and president of the OUC, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. Li Song, chair of the Third Academic Committee, a member of the Party Committee and vice president of the OUC, presented the "Work Report of the Third Academic Committee" and the "Report on the Re-election of the Fourth Academic Committee".
Wang Qiming delivered a speech.
Li Song delivered a report.
Wang Qiming, on behalf of the OUC's Party Committee, expressed gratitude to all members of the Third Academic Committee for their dedication and contributions. He acknowledged the positive achievements made by the Third Academic Committee in organisational structure, working mechanisms, teaching reforms, and high-level outcomes. He also congratulated the 97 newly elected members of the Fourth Academic Committee.
Wang Qiming emphasised the significance of the re-election and the first plenary session of the Academic Committee at this critical juncture, marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the realisation of the "14th Five-Year Plan" goals, and the 45th anniversary of the OUC. He noted that the Academic Committee is a vital embodiment of the modern university system and a key tool for university governance. He outlined five expectations for the new Academic Committee:
1. Align with the guiding principles of the National Conference on Education and deeply study and implement the important speeches of General Secretary Xi Jinping. In this new historical stage, especially starting from the overall situation of promoting Chinese modernisation, building a learning society and a leading country in education, accurately grasp the new historical position and the new situation and mission of the development of open education, and strive to build a ubiquitous and accessible lifelong education system.
2. Enhance political awareness and adhere to the correct political and academic orientations. Integrate academic research with national strategies and the actual needs of the OUC's development.
3. Serve the broader reform agenda and effectively play a leading and supportive role in academic development. Actively promote the high-quality development of university teaching and research, offering insights and suggestions in teaching reforms, professional adjustments, curriculum design, and resource development.
4. Set first-class goals and produce more high-level and landmark academic achievements. Academic Committee members should serve as academic models and benchmarks, and the committee should further strengthen the academic platform.
5. Demonstrate exemplary behaviour and foster a clean and upright academic environment. Optimise the academic evaluation system and establish an effective incentive-based academic evaluation system that aligns with the characteristics of the Open University.
According to the "OUC Charter of the Academic Committee", the assembly elected the chair, vice-chair, and the chairs and vice-chairs of the disciplinary sub-committees for the Fourth Academic Committee.
Li Song introduced the basic situation of the Fourth Academic Committee from three aspects: functional positioning, organisational structure, and disciplinary distribution. He proposed three objectives for the new Academic Committee:
1. Build a high-quality academic system and highlight the role of the Open University in building a leading country in education.
2. Continuously enhance academic capabilities and serve as a guide for high-level research.
3. Deepen educational and teaching reforms at the OUC to support the construction of a learning society and country.
The first working meeting for the sub-committee chairs and the first sub-committees meeting were held concurrently. Members and secretaries from the OUC’s headquarters and 44 branches attended the meeting.
By Academic Committee Secretariat, OUC