Recently, the Department of Social Sciences under Ministry of Education of China unveiled the list of 2025 key thematic publishing topics. Among the selections were three subjects from the "Academician Lecture Series" project, a collaborative initiative jointly planned by the Open University of China (OUC), the Bureau of Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Centre for Strategic Studies of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. The series resources of these selected topics were initiated and developed by OUC and produced and published by OUC Multimedia Press.
Digital Literacy and Skills: A New Engine for High-Quality Development is themed with “Enhancing National Digital Literacy and Skills, Embarking on a New Journey in the Digital Age”. It brings together academicians and experts from China’s fields of digital governance, digital society, and digital economy to systematically interpret the five core competencies, including digital survival, digital security, digital thinking, digital production, and digital innovation. This comprehensively boosts the public’s digital adaptability, competitiveness, and creativity, empowering the in-depth advancement of Digital China.
Education for Life: Embracing Your Golden Years! responds to the call of the “Silver Age Action” in the new era. Starting from the three pillars of a positive ageing perspective, including health, participation, and security, and it systematically builds thematic content to popularise cutting-edge ageing concepts among the general public. It serves the construction of an age-friendly society where the elderly can “rely on, be cared for, and contribute in old age” and showcases China’s approach to actively addressing population ageing and governing ageing societies.
Journey to the Extremes: Strengthening the Foundation of Education and Pioneering New Frontiers in Scientific Research is closely aligned with the integrated development strategy for education, science and technology, and talent. Based on the mission of building a strong country in science and technology, education, and culture, it presents a panoramic view of major breakthroughs made by top scientists (represented by academicians) in key fields such as deep space exploration, artificial intelligence, quantum information, life sciences, and polar research. It promotes the spirit of scientists and carries out cutting-edge science popularisation.
Since 2012, OUC’s “Academician Lecture Series” project has engaged 158 academicians, academic division members, and over 400 distinguished experts to serve as lecturers. It has developed 69 series, and a total of 59,000 minutes of premium scientific and educational resources, which have won over 50 national and provincial/ministerial-level awards. The project will continue to focus on enhancing national scientific literacy, laying a solid foundation for building a strong country in science and technology, and supporting the development of a learning society and a learning nation.
Contributed by Learning Resources Department (Digital Library) and OUC Multimedia Press