Editor's Note:
In March 2016, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) jointly issued the Action Plan for the Improvement of Migrant Worker Academic Qualifications and Abilities (Action Plan for short). By 2020, 1.5 million migrant workers seeking academic training and meeting the admission requirements will have received such training free of charge.
The plan provides them with affordable and convenient access to higher education and vocational training. Since the Open University of China (OU C) system began implementing the plan, more than 43,000 worker-students have been enrolled, and nearly 10,000 of them have graduated. “OUC Voice” (WeChat official account) will publish the stories of 12 of them, showing how the have been able to pursue their dreams. The Action Plan has changed their lives through the education it has enabled them to receive.
My name is Yu Pusong. I was admitted to Qinhuangdao Radio and TV University (Qinhuangdao RTVU), a branch school of the OUC, in spring 2017, to study Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation. After more than two years, with the help of the university, the teachers, the company, and my own unremitting efforts, I graduated with good results on the fortieth anniversary of the founding of the OUC.
I was a Water Supply and Sewage Engineering major at the North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power. After graduation, I was hired by the Shanhaiguan branch of the Qinhuangdao Water Supply Company to work in the management of the technology related to the urban water supply. At that time, this technology was being upgraded, and I took part in both the mechanical and software aspects of this process, with some success. However, I also encountered many problems, and feeling that I required a deeper understanding of the field decided to study mechanical design at the OUC, which, with its flexible teaching methods, offering both face-to-face and online instruction, was the perfect choice for me.
My two years studying at the OUC coincided with my busiest days at work and heaviest family burdens. At this time, in addition to my regular work, I was helping upgrade a variety of systems and terminals, while also being responsible for the scientific research and management conducted by my office. I also had to have an eye operation, and to leave the family in the care of my parents and wife. It was hard to balance all my responsibilities. My head teacher, Liu Yiya, and all the course tutors provided me a lot of help; they were truly those “who nurture morality, impart knowledge and solve doubts for students”. They arranged special tutoring times for me when I couldn't get to class, and answered my questions patiently. From them I gained both knowledge and practical skills that will benefit me all my life.
I made more progress studying at the OUC than I ever had before, and won many honours, including Gold Medal Worker of Qinhuangdao City and May 1st Labor Medal and Labour Model of Hebei Province; I was also elected a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress in 2018. These honours were closely related to my OUC studies.
In my 23 years of work, I have grown from being a college graduate to a company leader, gaining a strong basis, both practical and theoretical, that will continue to aid me in the future. I will live up to the standards taught me at the OUC and to the guidance of my teachers, and strive for continual progress.
By OUC Voice WeChat Official Account