To fully implement the guiding principles of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the National Conference on Education, and to accelerate the advancement of digital education, 30 Party branches within the system of the Open University of China (OUC) jointly organised a themed Party Day event titled "Building a Leading Country in Education, AI-Empowered Educational Innovation" on 4 December 2024.
The event was held both online and offline, with the main venue at the OUC headquarters and simultaneous branch venues at the open universities of Liaoning, Zhejiang , Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, and Gansu. Fan Xianrui, a member of the Party Committee and vice president of the OUC, attended the event, which was presided over by Zheng Jipeng, secretary of the Party Branch of the School of Foreign Languages at the headquarters.
Fan Xianrui highlighted that the Party and the state place a high premium on the digitalisation of education, which is crucial for establishing a ubiquitous and accessible lifelong education system and for elevating the standard of public services for lifelong learning. In line with the requirements of "integration, intelligence, and internationalisation" in educational digitalisation, the Open University system must adhere to an application-first approach, align in direction, collaborate, and engage in joint development and resource sharing. They must continue to explore the deep integration of modern information technology with education and teaching. Teachers and administrators are encouraged to take on the roles of pioneers, promoters, and innovators in the digital transformation. Empowered by digital and intelligent technologies, lifelong education plays a pivotal role in fostering a strong educational nation and in building a learning-oriented society and country.
Professor Xiong Zhang, dean of the School of Information Technology & Management at the University of International Business and Economics, presented a thematic lecture titled “AI Empowerment: Aiding the Construction of a Leading Country in Education”. The lecture provided a comprehensive analysis of AI’s role in bolstering the construction of a leading country in education from four key aspects: the objectives of China's strategy to become a leading country in education, the challenges posed by the global development of AI, the opportunities for an innovative Chinese model in education, and the importance of actively enhancing digital literacy and skills. Furthermore, the lecture delved into the developmental philosophy under digital transformation, echoing the ancient wisdom that "The wise are free from doubts, the benevolent from anxiety, and the brave from fear," by examining three dimensions: scientifically understanding AI development, proactively addressing AI challenges, and continuously innovating in AI empowerment. This insightful session guided educators to deeply consider the pivotal role of educational innovation in enhancing national competitiveness and illuminated strategic pathways for the effective integration of AI in educational sphere.
During the meeting, Party members engaged in spirited discussions and profound dialogues with Professor Xiong Zhang on the practical implications of AI in driving educational innovation and the ethical considerations surrounding AI. Professor Xiong OUC educators to cultivate a scientific understanding of and actively embrace new technologies. He urged them to delve into the concrete practices and applications of AI within education, to persistently improve their digital literacy and skills, and to confront the challenges of AI with a positive and proactive stance.
By Hu Lanxi, OUC