This year marks the 30th Teachers’ Day in China. It also happens to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Radio and TV Universities (RTVUs). On this special day, the Party Committee of The Open University of China (OUC) randomly interviewed dozens of teachers, students and staff at the Wukesong, Fuxingmen and Weigongcun Campuses. The interviewees looked back on unforgettable moments, using genuine words to express their sincere thanks to the OUC and its teachers.
Former Vice President Sun Lvyi: I came to the China Central Radio and TV University (CCRTVU) in December 1981, more than 30 years ago. When first arrived at Duchang RTVU in Jiangxi, we saw that the desks and benches in the classrooms were all made of wood. We were very moved that the students were studying so enthusiastic under such difficult circumstances. I found this very inspiring, and it made me realize that my job was very meaningful and could create chances for more people to study.
Former Chairman of the Labour Union Shang Daming: On 7 July 1982, I was sent to Fuxingmen to take care of the demolition work. Since then the construction projects of the CCRTVU and National Audio-Visual Centre had been put into practice and the CCRTVU had its own real working site. I felt very honored to have been a part of this.
Zhao Xianghua from the Department of News and Public Information: I came to Yunnan RTVU on business more than ten years ago. It was located in a small remote county with a backward economy. On the day we arrived all the students had heard that teachers from CCRTVU were there and they came out to see us. We were surprised that several of the students brought us gifts before we left. They said that they went shopping and bought the gifts, hand-made bags and some tea, with their own money. At the time we felt very bad and we were resolved not to receive them. However, it was hard to turn down the warm-hearted offers and we took them; I still have the bag I received. Every time I see it, I remember the ardent gazes and plain smiles of the students. I think that they expressed respect and friendship to us because we are RTVU employees and because the RTVU provides them with the possibility to change their fate and live a better life.
Ye Zhihong from the School of Humanities and Law: I have been in the CCRTVU (OUC) for over thirty years and I am happy to have taken up the cause of open education. There is one experience that has really stuck with me. Once we went to Guilin on business and there was no one to receive us. At the railway station, I met someone who asked me: “Are you Teacher Ye Zhihong?” “Yes,” I replied. He said: “I am from Guilin Procuratorate, I saw you give lectures on TV. I am a student of yours.” At that moment I felt very proud to be a teacher of open university, especially a teacher engaged in lifelong education.
Liu Aijun from the School of Economics and Management: Thirty years have passed from 1984 to 2014, and from an ignorant young person in my prime, I like to think I have grown up to be an experienced person. Now I am full of emotion when I look back on the past. We took jobs at the CCRTVU as new graduates in 1984. At that time the CCRTVU had just started. We lived in collective dormitories at Dazhongsi. We felt like we had stayed on at university and we didn’t experience the panic that many other young people feel when they first enter society.
Sun Li from the CCRTVU (OUC) Press: Many years ago, when I talked with my friends about my work at the CCRTVU Press, they all felt very uncertain because they hadn’t heard much about it. Over the course of 30 years, the CCRTVU Press has grown from borrowing offices from a school to have its own office building, with an annual revenue of four or five hundred million. We are now among the best of the university presses and I am proud to work there.
Wei Jie from the Multimedia Centre: I have been working at CCRTVU, now the OUC, for nearly thirty years. I have produced hundreds of teaching courses, which makes me very proud. My recording work gives me the opportunity to face hundreds of specialists and scholars directly. It gives me the chance to talk and communicate with them and to listen to their instruction, which I think would be difficult to find in other jobs. Thanks to this job, I have visited many corners of China. I still love my job.
Yuan Wei from the School of Engineering: This year is my seventeenth year at the CCRTVU (OUC). In 2010, the CCRTVU and the Open University UK jointly hosted online practitioner training and I started as a tutor for the learner support course. At that time I offered tutorials for about twenty students in an online class, which was the first time that I had participated in online tutoring. We discussed questions together, expressed our personal opinions and forged deep friendships. Although we hadn’t met each other before, we formed a good learning group. Several years have passed but I still remember my friendship with those students.
Zhang Xia from the School of Education: I have been working at the CCRTVU (OUC) for eleven years. One thing that has stayed with me is when a new student joined my video class. This was the first time we met but he kept in touch for a long time afterwards and sent me a greeting every festival. Although this student wasn’t majoring in the same field as us, we were still able to form a firm bond. This occasion really made me feel settled in the RTVU system.
Yang Yongjin from the Logistics Centre (Security Department): The most inspiring thing about the OUC for me was the construction and launch of the Wukesong Building, which our logistics staff made impressive contributions to. The proudest thing for me is that the OUC’s teaching and administrative staff have a clean, modern office environment to work in.
Du Ruo from the Department of Teaching Resources Management: During the process of evaluation for state-level excellent resource sharing courses recently, ten courses from our headquarters and branches received awards, among which six courses from the headquarters won prizes. This is the result of hard work from our teachers, teaching management departments and production team. Although the process had its ups and downs, I thought the event itself was impressive. In addition, I want to thank the labour union for its help in arranging for our children to attend kindergarten or school, solving our worries, and letting us focus on making our own small contributions to the OUC.
Meng Jia from the Department of Social Education and Vocational Training: In 2012, through the university’s Youth League Committee, I participated in “Take Part in the Grassroots, Reach for the Frontline”, a research activity organized by the State Youth League Working Committee. At Yingli Primary School in Yingli Township of Pingshan County, Hebei Province, I lived and ate together with the teachers and students for one week. The children there had to walk miles of mountain road to school every day. When the teachers were ill they would stay in the dormitory to have an intravenous drip in order not to delay classes. The childrens’ passion for learning and the teachers’ professional dedication gave me a deep impression of my duties and mission as an educator.
Zhao Tingting from the School of Agroforestry and Medicine: As a young teacher in agroforestry and medicine, the targets of our services are farmers and agriculture-related workers throughout China. We often feel proud and honored that they can use our teaching resources and services to solve problems of production and everyday life. In the future, we should look more closely at the realities of their lives, understand their needs, and thus build our resources in a way that is more practical and closer to reality. This is an embodiment of the way the OUC serves society as a whole.
Chen Qian from the Academic Affairs Department: In the past couple of years, the Academic Affairs Department, particularly the Teaching Management Section that I work in, has undertaken many tasks. We have faced a lot of pressure, challenges and even difficulties. However, I see that my peers are making great strides in facing these challenges and even overcoming them. Through it all they maintain a positive mentality. I feel lucky to work with them.
Fan Rongrong from the School of Foreign Languages: The School of Foreign Languages is like a small family. The teachers of the school offer me a lot of help in my work, which is very moving. I come from Shaanxi. I work together with the teachers and students at the OUC in Beijing and I truly feel a sense of belonging.
Teacher Deng Hao from the OUC Experimental School in Beijing: In 2014, the most unforgettable thing to me was the "OUC in my Heart" speech contest held at Wukesong Headquarters on June 14. 15 students from experimental schools in Beijing, Taiyuan and the South China Sea participated. They attended the contest in real-time through the advanced studio classroom platform. With the active preparation and close collaboration of all the teachers from the OUC Experimental School in Beijing, this activity was a great success.
Teacher Liu Xiaoqian from the OUC Experimental School in Beijing: I have experienced many moving things since joining the OUC. One of the things that touched me the most definitely came from my students. Since I came to the OUC Experimental School in Beijing in 2012, I have been engaged in teaching. Over time, I have discovered that the difference between distance adult education and regular education is that students in distance education have to overcome more obstacles. My students often have to travel incredibly long distances to attend classes, often bringing luggage or even their children. Their positive spirit and thirst for knowledge is inspiring and it has become my motivation to keep moving.
OUC Student Zhang Xiaoliang: One of the students in the "OUC in My Heart" said the phrase “The Chinese dream, The OUC dream, My dream”, which really spoke to me. All of us come to the OUC to realize our dream of attending university and this contest has been one of my most impressive experiences so far.
OUC Student Xing Lili: After entering the OUC, the happiest thing for me has been getting to know my classmates. From initial strangers, we have become a happy family
Former Vice President Sun Lvyi: I hope that the OUC can make new contributions to the construction of a lifelong learning system for all.
Li Wei from the President’s Office: As the 30th Teachers’ Day approaches, I hope that all teaching and administrative staff can cherish the achievements of the CCRTVU (OUC) over the past 30 years, promote its smooth running, and make the OUC a world-class open university.
Zhao Xianghua from the Department of News and Public Information: From the establishment of the RTVUs to the establishment of the OUC, we have travelled a long road. We still have to face many difficulties and problems, but I believe that with the efforts of all its staff, the OUC will have a wonderful future.
Zhao Tingting from the School of Agroforestry and Medicine: I hope that the OUC’s cause will have a flourishing future.
Zhang Xia from the School of Education: I hope all teachers from the OUC’s headquarters will have the courage to experience online teaching and face-to-face teaching and continuously enhance our professional ability as distance teachers.
Chen Qian from the Academic Affairs Department: I want to tell young people like myself that they should cherish the opportunity to work at the OUC, should devote ourselves to the cause and not be afraid of sacrifice.
Yuan Wei from the School of Engineering: The profession in which we engage is very meaningful and innovative, with great social value.
Ye Zhihong from the School of Humanities and Law: I hope all teachers will be healthy and happy and our new teachers can embrace the cause of open education.
Liu Aijun from the School of Economics and Management: I love the post and title of teacher. I want to keep at it and always serve my students. Wishing all teachers a Happy Teachers’ Day!
Du Ruo from the Department of Teaching Resources Management: Happy Teachers’ Day!
Weijie from the Multimedia Press: Wishing all a happy holiday!
Teacher Liu Xiaoqian from the OUC Experimental School in Beijing: Happy Teachers’ Day!
OUC Student Zhang Xiaoliang: Wishing all the teachers from the OUC good health and happy holidays!
Teacher Deng Hao from the OUC Experimental School in Beijing: Happy Holidays!
By He Jing, the OUC