To advance the digital development of education and better support the establishment of a society and country of learning where lifelong learning is pursued by all, as well as a leading country in education, the Open University of China (OUC) hosted a special seminar on credit banks in Guangzhou on 18th December 2023.

Organised by the Guangdong Open University (OU), the seminar featured representatives from nine provincial credit banks in key regions such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, and Northeast China. The goal was to discuss new initiatives for the development of credit banks in support of lifelong learning and the strengthening of education.

Prominent attendees included Wang Qiming, secretary of the Party Committee and president of the OUC; Liu Ying, former second-level inspector at the Ministry of Education's Department of Vocational and Adult Education; Liu Wenqing, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and president of Guangdong OU; Du Aiyu, secretary of the Party Committee and president of Anhui OU; Zheng Yihui, vice president of Shanghai OU; Li Zhengguang, vice president of Fujian OU, as well as representatives from Zhejiang OU, Beijing OU, Liaoning OU, and Chongqing OU credit banks. Li Song, member of the Party Committee and vice president of the OUC, presided over the seminar.

Wang Qiming praised the practical exploration of credit banks in different regions and emphasised the need for continuous efforts to establish new patterns and tracks in the current era. He outlined four key requirements for future credit bank construction: first, establish a high-level expert team and conduct pioneering research to pilot new initiatives; second, focus on core functions such as credit bank construction, strengthening lifelong learning archives, accreditation, storage, and transfer of learning outcomes; third, prioritize the credit bank's role in serving the learning society and supporting the development of a high-quality education system, including promoting comprehensive educational reforms, digitalisation, and intelligent construction. Wang encouraged credit banks in all regions to explore, summarise, and effectively propel the development of credit banks to new heights.

During the seminar, participants freely expressed their opinions, shared valuable experiences, and reported on breakthroughs achieved in credit bank construction and promotion across different regions. They engaged in in-depth discussions regarding challenges, future endeavours, and directions for pilot explorations.

Written by Sun Jingyi, OUC; photographed by Guangdong OU