The 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China Central Radio and TV University (CCRTVU, now The Open University of China, OUC) Press was held at the OUC’s Wukesong Distance Education Teaching Building on the morning of December 22, 2012. Over 400 guests, including university leaders, staff from the CCRTVU Press, publishing industry colleagues and other elites in Beijing, attended the celebration.  

The exhibition of the CCRTVU Press’ achievements attracted many guests

OUC President Yang Zhijian recognized the development and achievements of the CCRTVU Press over the past 30 years. He pointed out that the CCRTVU Press has stuck to its publishing guidelines and published a great number of high-quality distance education teaching materials and academic tomes. It has also accumulated thousands of experts and teachers across different sectors. Furthermore, its efforts were key to the early exploration of audiovisual teaching resources for distance education. Based on these achievements, it has formed a foundation of digital and multimedia teaching materials. President Yang hopes that the CCRTVU Press will continue to adhere to its development direction, scientific position and quality awareness. On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, he also hopes that the CCRTVU Press will be able to use the experience it has gained to create an open environment, to reform and innovate, to explore new fields and reach new heights.

Liu Chen, director of the CCRTVU Press, reviewed the development of the Press since its inception 30 years ago. He drew attention to the educational materials developed in-house by the CCRTVU Press, which kick-started the construction of a system of teaching materials for the system of China Radio and TV Universities (CRTVUs). Over the past 30 years, the Press has maintained its principles and development direction and gradually become an influential university press characterized by distance education. He asserted that under the guidance of the 18th National Congress of the CPC , the CCRTVU Press will do its best to face up to the issues in today’s climate and strive to become China’s top publishing enterprise with distinct characteristics in the education field. 

The conference was hosted by Ren Yan, editor-in-chief of the CCRTVU Press. Li Jian from the Central University of Finance and Economics gave a speech on behalf of the teachers and authors. Xu Ling from the Beijing Study Center spoke on behalf of the CCRTVU students. Professor Li Jian, who has been cooperating with the CCRTVU Press for over 20 years, appraised the Press’ strong traditions and hard work, and the high quality of its editorial team. She said that the editorial team has been of great help during the publishing process of her books. Furthermore, she said that the Press’ “focus on students, focus on study” and “in the name of self-directed learning” educational concepts have had a major influence on her teaching activities. 

19 units, including the China University Presses Association and Peking University Press, sent letters to express their congratulations on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the CCRTVU Press.

The CCRTVU Press was established in October 1982. It is a comprehensive university press focusing on open and distance education materials and academic books. Over the past 30 years, the CCRTVU Press has adapted to serve RTVU’s open and distance education and vocational education. It promotes the development of lifelong learning and has made outstanding contributions to socio-economic development in China. The CCRTVU Press holds a leading position among over 100 university presses. 

By Yu Hongchi, the OUC