The "2025 National March 8th Red-Banner Holder" list has been announced, and multiple faculty members and students from the Open University of China (OUC) are among the honourees. These women have dedicated themselves to their work with unwavering commitment, shouldering responsibilities with quiet strength and reflecting their original aspirations through their prime years. They are trailblazers in their respective fields, and boundary-breakers in life. Starting today, let's get to know these exceptional OUC women, listen to their inspiring stories, and witness the radiance they bring.
LAN Zhen, She ethnicity, is a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC). She graduated from the 2001 Autumn Primary Education programme at Fujian Branch of OUC. She currently serves as Secretary of the Party Committee and Teacher at Zhangzhou Experimental Primary School in Fujian Province, the member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and National Educational Inspector. In 2026, she was honoured as a "2025 National March 8th Red-Banner Pacesetter." Her awards include "National Outstanding CPC Member," "National Model Teacher for Nurturing Talent," "National Model Teacher," "National Role Model of Women’s Meritorious Service in Education," and " National Exemplary Individual."
Having worked on the education frontline for 36 years, LAN has remained true to her belief that "only with faith in one's heart can one travel far" since stepping onto the podium at age 17, continuously delving deep into teaching reform practices. Her courses have won special prizes and first prizes in national and provincial competitions. She has led or participated in six national and provincial research projects. Her teaching achievements have won provincial second prizes and nearly 20 of her papers have been published in CN education journals.
In 2013, she took the lead in establishing the "LAN Zhen Master Teacher Studio," launching the "Rural Seed Teacher Training Programme" to cultivate promising rural teachers into future educational leaders. Over 14 years, she has cumulatively held 17 training sessions, cultivating over 1,200 rural teachers, of whom 47 have grown into municipal-level "seed teachers" and 35 into municipal-level renowned principals, incubating 12 municipal and county-level master teacher studios. This has enabled quality education resources to flow toward rural areas, sustaining rural education's legacy from generation to generation."
As a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, LAN has conscientiously fulfilled her duties, consistently focusing on balanced education development and rural teacher growth. She has successively submitted 14 education-related proposals, of which recommendations such as "increasing investment in rural teacher team building" and "raising seniority allowances for primary and secondary school and kindergarten teachers" have been adopted by the Ministry of Finance, effectively promoting policy implementation. At the same time, she regularly conducts education research, paying attention to issues such as cultivating digital literacy among rural youth and earning widespread recognition and acclaim from all sectors of society. Her exemplary deeds have been extensively reported by media including the CPPCC website, Ministry of Education website, and CCTV.com.
By Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development
Published: 25 March 2026