Recently, the results of the selection of outstanding alumni of the Open University of China (OUC) were announced, recognising 328 alumni from various industries across the country.
These individuals, with accomplishments as their foundation and technology as their wings, demonstrate resilience, confidence, and a pragmatic, enterprising spirit, writing a unique chapter of progress of the OUC people. From today on, the stories of some alumni will be selected for sharing . By reviewing their outstanding deeds and listening to their life insights, the OUC’s achievements in talent development over the last 45 years are highlighted.
Long Fugang enrolled in the undergraduate programme in Administrative Management at Qianxinan Open University (OU) in the spring semester of 2016. He is currently a senior operator, senior engineer, senior technician, and first-level skill expert of the Comprehensive Data Crew at the No. 1 Transmission Management Institute of Xingyi Power Supply Bureau of Guizhou Power Grid Co., Ltd., and holder of 24 national patents. He has been honoured with titles such as “National Labour Model”, “National May 1 Labour Medal Winner”, “Good Samaritan of China”, “National Great Craftsman of the National Energy, Chemical, and Geological System” and “Most Beautiful Veteran”.
Dedicated and hardworking, he is a guardian of brightness, who is “reliable, dependable, and capable of winning”. Resolute and innovative, he has invented the TYK fixture, which has created nearly 100 million yuan in value for the country. He is a diligent and skilled power grid expert. By upholding the spirit of craftsmanship, he is enthusiastic for training professional technical talent for the industry.
For over 20 years, he has continuously worked hard on the frontlines of the power industry, always ensuring to make “zero errors” and “zero accidents” in his work. He practises the principle of “Power Industry for the People” with his sweat and action, lighting up thousands of households with craftsmanship.
Taking refinement as the tenet, be dedicated to the job and forge the "craftsman spirit"
In May 1998, Long Fugang entered the power transmission industry after retiring from the military, where he has worked for 26 years.
Facing the challenges of unfamiliar power industry business when he first started, Long Fugang made up for his shortcomings through diligent study, self-learning, and continuous practice. Within just three years, he became leader of a live-line crew, achieving what others might spend ten years or more in accomplishing. He knows well the 80 110kv transmission lines totaling 1,388 kilometers within the region of their responsibility, and he kept in mind the terrain and features of 4,929 transmission towers, as well as data on fittings and conductor types. Ultimately, he has transformed from a novice in power transmission into a first-level skill expert. Whenever there is a defect in the lines, Long Fugang will quickly devise the safest and most efficient repair methods, ensuring both personnel safety and the conservation of manpower and material resources.
The work in the power industry is highly dangerous, but Long Fugang says, “I love my job, I love my position. Although the work is of high risk, I have never considered leaving this position”. Over the past 26 years, he has traversed the most challenging paths and climbed the highest towers. He always remembers that, as a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and veteran, he must be a banner of courage, bravely moving forward and striving for victory in face of whatever difficulties and obstacles without fear.
Taking light as the aspiration, strive arduously to be an excellent “guardian”
“When wearing the military uniform, I would protect the security of the country and the safety of its people; when dressed in workwear, I will guard the lights of thousands of homes”. This is Long Fugang's work creed.
In early 2008, Guizhou Power Grid faced unprecedented freezing disaster, with particularly severe damage in the Qiandongnan Prefecture. Due to his exceptional skills and rich experience, Long Fugang was recommended as the team leader for the Xingyi Power Supply Bureau and led a team to assist in icing disaster relief in Qiandongnan. Facing the complex and severe situation, he quickly formulated a repair plan. Starting at 6 a.m. every day, he led his team in emergency repairs. Within just three days, they completed what normally would take 15 days, restoring power to three counties before New Year's Eve. The Qiandongnan Prefectural People’s Government even sent a special delegation to Xingyi to present him with a banner of appreciation.
In 2011, a devastating flood struck Wangmo County, and Long Fugang quickly went to the frontlines to assist in flood relief efforts. He and his team rested only 4 hours a day, enduring temperatures of 39°C, slogging through mud, and carrying materials on their shoulders, overcoming various difficulties. They successfully transported emergency supplies to the site. To expedite the repair process, he even jumped into the flooded waters himself. He swam across the turbulent river, laid out new conductors, and opened up vital power supply channels for the disaster area. They completed the repair tasks 5 days ahead of schedule, laying a solid foundation for the reconstruction of the flood-stricken area.
In 2020, Qianxinan Prefecture experienced the most severe ice-snow freezing disaster since meteorological records began, with nearly a hundred transmission lines damaged. To ensure the safe and stable operation of the 80 110kV transmission lines across 8 counties and cities in Qianxinan Prefecture, Long Fugang took the initiative and spared no pains to go to the frontlines. He led his team in continuous 18-hour shifts to ensure uninterrupted power supply for critical lines. After inspecting all the affected 110kV lines, Long Fugang returned home, his legs numb and unconscious with the freezing cold.
Taking novelty as the principle, pioneer and innovate, and practice as an "inventor"
Long Fugang has ingrained the spirit of meticulous craftsmanship into his very being.
He is a thoughtful and hands-on person passionate about technological innovation. Each of his technical improvements and inventions addresses specific on-site issues, not only resolving practical problems but also enhancing work efficiency, economic benefits, and safety performance.
As of October 2023, Long Fugang has held 24 national patents. Two of his projects, including the folding maintenance ladder, have been applied in the market, and six projects have been included in the new technology promotion catalog of China Southern Power Grid Company and are being promoted in the power grids of Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangxi.
Imparting knowledge and skills to others as a “guide”
Long Fugang not only possesses excellent technical skills himself but also plays a significant role in mentoring and guiding others. By influencing and inspiring those around him through his thoughts, work style, and skills, he actively passes on his professional expertise and extensive work experience to his apprentices. He has been repeatedly recognised as an “Outstanding Master” at the Xingyi Power Supply Bureau. As an internal trainer at Guizhou Power Grid Company, he gives professional skills training by combining theory with practice. He has nurtured 453 new employees in power transmission, trained 33 apprentices, and cultivated 28 technicians, 18 senior technicians, 3 technical experts, and 5 skill experts. Many of them have become key figures in the power transmission field in Guizhou Province. To further enhance Long Fugang's role as a model leader, in May 2016, China Southern Power Grid Company established the “Long Fugang Technical Master Studio” under his leadership. The studio focuses on identifying and solving problems and actively promotes innovation by employees. The studio has won the first, second, and third prizes for employee innovation at both the national level and within the Southern Power Grid Company system for three consecutive years. In October 2018, it was awarded the “Model Worker Innovation Studio” by the Guizhou Provincial Federation of Trade Unions, and in December 2022, it was honoured as a “Skill Master Studio” in Guizhou Province.
Long Fugang is always firm in the principle that “Teaching a person to fish is better than just giving him a fish”. In 2019, he became the first high-skilled talent in Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, to receive the special government allowances of the State Council. He voluntarily donated over 20,000 yuan of this allowance to support the training of young skilled talent. He actively shares his growth experiences with young employees, significantly enhancing their ability to identify, think about, and solve problems in their work. This has fostered a cadre of high-skilled professionals and contributed to the rapid economic development of Qianxinan Prefecture and Guizhou Province.
Since October 2022, Long Fugang, as a deputy to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, has deeply engaged in promoting the guiding principles of the Congress across various settings with heart and soul, including government agencies, military camps, communities, grassroots power supply stations, and rural areas. He has conducted over 70 sessions, reaching more than 50,000 people. His influence has led to the emergence of numerous model workers, craftsmen, and outstanding youths, including Wen Feng, Cen Yuanhong, Wang Jiajun, and Zhou Zhibo.
“With new missions on the new journey in the new era, I hope that everyone in the power industry can work with the spirit of a dragon, and contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by leveraging their utmost intelligence and talent”. This is Long Fugang's vision for his country as a power industry worker.
By OUC News Network