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.

Deng Yangqing was born in December 1928. He is a member of the Communist Party of China. In the autumn of 2021, he studied in the Agricultural Economic Management major (associate degree) at the Open University of China (OUC). He is a retired teacher from the Second Primary School in Qiujiang Street, Shaxian District, Sanming City, Fujian Province. He has been honoured as an Advanced Educator in Fujian Province, an Advanced Individual in Caring for the Next Generation in Fujian's Education System, a National Advanced Worker in Caring for the Next Generation, and a National Common People Learning Star.

“Thanks to Grandpa Deng, the study methods he taught me are really effective. This time, I have successfully completed my ideological and political paper!”

I really admire him. At over ninety years old, he can still study so hard. As young people, we should strive even harder!”

When it comes to him, the students are all excited and keep talking non-stop. Who is he? Why has he become such an admirable person in the students' mouths? He is Deng Yangqing, a retired teacher from the Second Primary School in Qiujiang, Shaxian, Sanming City, Fujian. At the age of 93, he enrolled in the Agricultural Economic Management major at Shaxian Open University and served as the study committee member in the class.

Sound the Horn of Fulfilling the Original Mission on the Lifelong Learning Journey

Once, he was a front-line educator. After retirement, he has been engaged in elderly education such as the elderly-friendly School. Now, he is a student in the Agricultural Economic Management major at the OUC, being a practitioner of lifelong learning.

From a teacher to a student, from standing on the podium to sitting at the desk, he has made a seamless transition. In his first year of studying at Shaxian Open University, Deng Yangqing mastered the learning methods of the Open University and could log in to the OUC Learning Network for online study with ease, achieving excellent grades in all subjects.

A curious classmate asked him, “Grandpa Deng, you are over ninety years old. Why do you still participate in the study at the Open University?” Grandpa Deng told everyone that knowledge is evolving and always new. People should establish the concept of lifelong education in their lives and actively participate in various types of learning. As an elderly person, one should keep learning in old age to improve one's comprehensive quality. Deng Yangqing said that he chose to study at the OUC precisely because he recognised the concept of lifelong education and the diverse learning models of the OUC, which can effectively help him study systematically.

Achieve Life Ideals in the Process of Rural Revitalisation

Deng Yangqing has worked in rural areas all his life. With a passionate heart, he has been continuously concerned about rural revitalisation. He attaches importance to participating in public welfare undertakings and cares about the development of the rural economy. He has organised an elderly-people-oriented school at his own expense and has funded the repair of village and town roads many times... He said, “At any time, we must not neglect agriculture or forget farmers.”

Grandpa Deng said that the implementation of the current rural revitalisation strategy requires a large number of talents. He also wants to become a strong fortress in helping farmers get rich, maintaining rural stability, and promoting rural revitalisation.

The reason why Deng Yangqing chose to study in the Agricultural Economic Management major at the OUC is precisely that he hopes to systematically learn professional knowledge, thereby promoting rural education, enlightening the public, and realising his "rural construction" ideal in his heart.

Write a Magnificent Chapter in Life through Taking on Responsibilities and Making Contributions

Whenever Deng Yangqing is mentioned, everyone in the local area is touched by his dedicated spirit of striving tirelessly, teaching indefatigably, and wholeheartedly seeking "learning to gain expertise and the elderly having support" for others.

Over the years, Deng Yangqing has also actively participated in the propaganda activities organised by schools, encouraging young students to do a good job in family education in various aspects to ensure that children grow up healthily and become useful talent for building their families and the country. In various activities, he has successively given keynote speeches on topics such as the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, learning and practicing the core socialist values, and serving the Chinese Dream.

With his ambitious and heroic deeds, Deng Yangqing has interpreted the life ideals and unremitting pursuits of an OUC student.

By OUC News Network