Witnessing the Relay of Dreams and Opening a New Chapter. On 12 November, the 2024 Graduation and New-Student Welcome Ceremony of the "University Dream Fulfilling Programme for Civil Aviation Workers" (hereinafter referred to as the “Programme”), jointly organised by the Experimental College of the Open University of China (OUC) and the China Civil Aviation Union, was held at the Shanghai Airport (Group) Co., Ltd.
This year, a total of 524 students in the Programme graduated successfully, and 485 new students registered for enrolment. The OUC awarded graduation certificates to the 2024 graduates and held a bachelor's degree conferral ceremony; representatives of the new 2024 freshmen wore university badges and took an enrolment oath.
The ceremony was attended by Fan Xianrui, a member of the Party Committee and vice president of the OUC; Wang Zhongcai, vice chairman of the China Civil Aviation Union; Zhang Yongdong, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and chairman of the Trade Union of Shanghai Airport (Group) Co., Ltd.; and Sun Hongfei, dean of the OUC’s Experimental College.
Bachelor's Degree Conferral Ceremony
In her speech, Fan Xianrui stated that OUC is accelerating its development into a world-class open university with Chinese characteristics, advancing the strategic goal of using digitally- empowered lifelong learning to serve the construction of a learning-oriented society and nation. She emphasised that the OUC will actively respond to the call from the CPC Central Committee and the State Council for reforming the industrial workforce, continue to deepen cooperation with the China Civil Aviation Union, provide better learning support and development platforms for civil aviation workers, thereby contributing to the comprehensive development of talent in the civil aviation industry and jointly promoting the construction of a leading country in education and transportation. She fully recognised the students' learning attitudes, abilities, and achievements in the Programme, and encouraged them to remain steadfast in their beliefs, courageously shoulder the missions of the times, pursue lifelong learning to hone their skills, and be dedicated and strive to be pioneers of the era.
OUC Awards Graduation Certificates to 2024 Graduates
Wang Zhongcai addressed the new students, hoping that they would use the Party's innovative theories to arm their minds and guide their direction, adhere to lifelong learning, be diligent in their studies, innovate bravely, and strive to become civil aviation workers in the new era with advanced thoughts, rich knowledge, proficient technology, solid work style, and adherence to discipline and regulations. He urged them to play a leading role in advancing the high-quality development of civil aviation and writing a new chapter in the construction of a strong transportation country in the civil aviation field.
Pan Yang, a representative teacher from OUC's Experimental College, introduced the university's learning support services, while graduate representative Cao Yun, shared his learning experiences. New student representatives expressed their determination and confidence to study diligently through their enrolment oath.
In 2018, to implement the decision and deployment of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on reforming the industrial workforce, and in response to the "Realising Dreams of Further Education" by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the Ministry of Education, the China Civil Aviation Union, in collaboration with the OUC, launched the Programme. It offers undergraduate and junior college degree education to civil aviation workers through part-time and on-the-job learning style and around-the-clock teaching services. Over the past six years, the OUC’s Experimental College and the China Civil Aviation Union have closely collaborated, continuously summarised experiences in school management and service, strengthened institutional mechanisms, and successively formulated standardised management service manuals, student management regulations, special scholarship management implementation methods, and talent training quality enhancement plans for the Programme, thereby continuously improving service quality and teaching standards. This Programme has provided a broad platform for civil aviation workers to learn whenever and wherever they want to, and has become a booster for career development, helping many civil aviation workers fulfil their educational dreams.
As of October 2024, the Programme has enrolled a total of 6,794 students, with 3,657 having graduated (among them, 306 have obtained bachelor's degrees). With the collaborative efforts of the faculty team from the Experimental College and civil aviation trade unions at all levels, the students have fostered a culture of mutual support and encouragement, demonstrating excellent academic performance.
By Experimental College