On 24-25 September, 2023, the Open University of China (OUC) hosted a training camp at its Qingdao Branch for the national participating projects of the 9th China International ‘Internet Plus’ College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.
Around 120 teachers and students from 36 project teams across 20 branches, including Wuhan, Liaoning, and Qinghai branches, took part in the training camp.
The launch ceremony took place at Qingdao Open University (OU). In attendance were Liu Xuan, deputy secretary of the OUC Party Committee and secretary of the OUC Discipline Commission; Li Minggang, secretary of the Party Committee of Qingdao OU; and Shi Jianjun, a member of the Party Committee and vice president of Qingdao OU. The ceremony was chaired by Tian Suxia, deputy director of the OUC Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development.
Liu Xuan Xuan emphasised the significant role of the China International ‘Internet Plus’ College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition in advancing the reform of innovation and entrepreneurship education in colleges and universities. She believes it enhances students' capabilities in these areas and fast-tracks the development of innovative and entrepreneurial talent. Participating in such competitions is crucial for the OUC education system. It offers an opportunity to bolster exchanges and cooperation with mainstream higher education institutions and vocational colleges, while also kindling students' awareness of innovation, their entrepreneurial spirit, and their zest for innovation and entrepreneurship. Liu Xuanxuan highlighted three key observations from the competition: the steady growth in participation, consistent advancements in award achievements, and the tangible impact of widespread entrepreneurship and innovation education. She expressed her hope that this training will empower more students to shine on the competition's final stage, showcasing the exceptional spirit of OUC students to the broader community.
On behalf of Qingdao OU, Li Minggang warmly welcomes and extends his gratitude to the leaders, experts, teachers, and students from various branches and colleges attending the training camp. Li Minggang emphasised that the presence of the offline national competition project training camp is a testament to the high regard OUC headquarters has for this competition and a nod to the stellar performance of its various branches. He hopes that all participating teams will seize this invaluable learning opportunity, refine their projects further, and aim for superior results in the national competition, thereby bringing greater honour to the OUC.
Yang Fang, director of the National Innovation and Mass Entrepreneurship Demonstration Base at Central South University and a Level Two researcher, offered an in-depth explanation of the competition's significance, the criteria for project participation, and the essential guidelines and aspects of project evaluation.
Liu Dan, a member of the Entrepreneurship Expert Committee at the Ministry of Education's Information Centre and a professor at the School of Economics and Management at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, offered a comprehensive analysis from a judge's perspective. She delved into the presentation logic of business plans, highlighted the crucial elements for competition roadshows, and discussed the essential skills required for a compelling defense during the competition.
Over the course of a two-day training camp, 12 seasoned industry experts were invited to detail the standards and expectations of the national competition. They provided comprehensive guidance on projects, focusing on the criteria and benchmarks of the national competition's gold award. Participating teams showcased their projects across various facets, including innovation, business, teamwork, education, and societal impact. In response, the expert panel gave precise feedback on each project, pinpointing key focus areas and offering specific directions. Both educators and students in attendance unanimously agreed that the camp bestowed upon them invaluable insights and experiences.
The China International ‘Internet Plus’ College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition is a pivotal platform for innovation and entrepreneurship education in Chinese universities. It's designed to spark the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of college students while enhancing their practical skills and fostering teamwork. This year marks the fourth time OUC has participated, with an impressive 53,266 participants from 34 branches and schools registering for the competition. Of these, 45 projects have qualified for the national competition, marking a historic milestone for OUC. The training camp has offered invaluable learning and networking experiences for the OUC’s students and faculty, ensuring they are well-prepared for the national stage.
By OUC