In alignment with General Secretary Xi Jinping's significant expositions on science popularization and his important response to the representatives of academicians and experts in "Science and China," the Open University of China (OUC) and the Bureau of Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have embarked on a new chapter of cooperation.
On 22 January 2024, in Beijing, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the "Science and China: Video Lectures by Academicians and Experts" project. This initiative marks a progressive step towards building a society and country dedicated to lifelong learning for all. The signing ceremony was attended by Wang Qiming, secretary of the Party Committee and president of the OUC; Li Song, member of the Party Committee and vice president of the OUC; Xu Mingjun, deputy secretary of the Party Committee; Zhou Dejin, director of the CAS Bureau of Academic Divisions; and personnel from relevant departments of both sides.
Wang Qiming and Zhou Dejin met and had discussions
MOU singing ceremony for the "Science and China: Video Lectures by Academicians and Experts" project
"Science and China: Video Lectures by Academicians and Experts" is a public welfare science popularization project launched in 2012, a joint initiative by the OUC and the CAS Bureau of Academic Divisions. Over the past twelve years, 319 experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and nationally renowned universities and research institutes have contributed to this endeavor. Through the OUC and its domestic and international platforms and channels, they have popularized science knowledge, advocated the scientific method, disseminated scientific ideas, and carried forward the spirit of science to the public. The project has successfully formed 34 series focusing on medical and health care, and the digital economy, amassing a total of 19,000 minutes of high-quality, public welfare resources.
Currently, the "Science and China: Video Lectures by Academicians and Experts" project's resources have been extensively integrated into several key initiatives, including the Healthy China, Manufacturing Power, and the State Education Digitalisation Strategy Action. These resources have positively impacted over 500 million teachers, students, and members of the public, both within and beyond the OUC (SUC) system. The project's achievements have been recognised with 23 national, provincial, and ministerial awards. These accolades include the Chinese Excellent Publications, key publications designated by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the National Publication Foundation, and the National Key Publishing Plan.
Award-winning publications of "Science and China: Video Lectures by Academicians and Experts"
In this new era and journey, the OUC and the CAS Bureau of Academic Divisions will collaborate closely to enhance our cooperative efforts. We are committed to deepening the scope of our collaboration, while steadfastly upholding our public welfare mission. Our goal is to further harness the potential of high-end scientific resources, exploring innovative methods and pathways for the popularization of science. Through offering higher quality, diverse content and accessible forms, we aim to elevate the nation's scientific literacy. This endeavour is key to bolstering the development of an educational, scientific, and technological powerhouse, rich in talent. Our efforts are pivotal in achieving a high level of scientific and technological self-reliance and continuously advancing the modernization of China with its unique characteristics.
By OUC