The "Top 10 Radio and TV University (RTVU) News Articles of 2012" were announced recently. The selected articles highlight RTVU achievements in improving the quality of open education and contributions to social and
economic development as well as to equal access to education. These are just some of the RTVU system's achievements in implementing the National Outline for Medium and Long-term Educational Reform and Development (2010-2020) in line with State Councillor Liu Yandong’s remarks at the Open University of China inauguration ceremony and other Ministry of Education publications: to drive forward construction of the Open University of China (OUC) while steadily improving its everyday teaching and educational work.
The selection activity was jointly run by the OUC (CCRTVU) and China.com.cn, and the final selection was made through online voting and expert appraisal. Wang Xuming, president of the Language & Culture Press and former spokesman for the Ministry of Education; Zhang Meizhi, associate editor-in-chief of China.com.cn; and Zhang Yi, vice president of China Profiles, were specially invited to select and review the top 10 news articles.
1. “Hand in Hand — A Reading Movement among Rural Youth” Contributes to More Than 140 “RTVU Book Rooms” in Rural Areas in Two Years
“Hand in Hand — A Reading Movement among Rural Youth” was initiated to promote reading among youths in rural areas. Since its launch two years ago, about 140 “RTVU book rooms” have been built in low-income primary and secondary schools in 28 provinces and cities in China through the national RTVU system.
Review by Zhang Meizhi: The “Hand in Hand” movement helps kind-hearted people offer a helping hand to millions of rural children who are hungry for knowledge by donating good books. This is no doubt a great deed that will benefit many future generations. The article “Hand in Hand—A Reading Movement among Rural Youth Contributes to More Than 140 RTVU Book Rooms in Rural Areas in Two Years” presents the progress, achievements and social benefits of the programme over the past two years while reporting on the award ceremony and launch ceremony for 2012. This news report delivers more information than just coverage of a launch ceremony. The description of some of the participating organizations gives the reader a feel for the breadth of participation in the movement. The article is rich in content, distinct in theme, fluent in language and clear in structure. It is written with moving appeal. I am convinced that those who read the article will applaud this undertaking by the OUC and rejoice in their achievements over the past two years. Readers will also want to join the movement, to reach out to the children and do something for them. In this sense, the article is fantastic!
2. First OUC “Cloud Classroom” Built and Put into Operation at Beihai Radio and TV University
The first “OUC cloud classroom” was built and officially put into operation at Beihai RTVU. The cloud classroom is an important part of the OUC's cloud terminal system. The OUC is committed to building a multi-terminal integrated teaching environment based on cloud computing technology, and a total of 16 cloud classrooms will be built at selected local RTVUs as demonstration sites.
Review by Zhang Yi: The construction and operation of “cloud classrooms” represents the OUC’s embrace of rapidly developing trends in information technology and a great step forward on the path to education digitization and modernization. The application of cloud computing technology has led to innovation in educational models, promoted the integration of educational resources, and boosted efficiency. In the long run, it will help bring down the cost of education. We expect that the OUC will play a critical role in building a learning society.
3. OUC Gets Approval for Research and Implementation of National “Credit Bank” System
The Ministry of Education has officially authorized the OUC to conduct the project “Research and Implementation of National System for Accreditation, Accumulation, and Transfer of Continuing Education Learning Outcomes”. This project involves research on standards, methods, systems, and mechanisms for a national “credit bank” system framework, and practical exploration in “credit bank” implementation in combination with open university construction. This is the only national “credit bank” pilot project at this time.
Review by Wang Xuming: The credit bank is not just an exciting new development; it is the direction of education reform. This undertaking of the OUC is especially praiseworthy.
4. “Graduation Means Employment” — OUC Vocational Education Programme Produces Three Million Skilled Professionals
Over 5000 students received their graduation certificates at the 2012 graduation and scholarship award ceremony for OUC Secondary Vocational School. Most of the students also had jobs waiting for them through employment opportunities provided by the school. Since the establishment of the school 15 years ago and its accreditation to issue secondary education diplomas 10 years ago, more than 3 million students have graduated from the school system. Currently more than 300,000 students are enrolled at the school.
Review by Wang Xuming: In an age where going to college is the trend and many people mindlessly pursue bachelor's, master's, Ph.D. or even higher degrees, these 3 million students demonstrate unique character and vision. Plain as the report is written, its content is outstanding.
5. OUC Launches Educational Assistance to Xinjiang in the Twelfth Five-Year-Plan to Promote Equal Access to Education
The OUC signed separate agreements with Xinjiang RTVU and Bingtuan RTVU for educational assistance during the Twelfth Five-Year-Plan. The agreements specify 12 areas of assistance, including information technology, teaching resources, lifelong learning platform, and faculty construction.
Review by Zhang Meizhi: This is exciting news, because it is a topic that concerns every Chinese person, just as the Chinese public is always interested in whether investment in education has reached 4% of GDP in China. Inequality in education is the most serious obstacle to China's educational development, and achieving balance in this regard is a top priority. We can even say that education in China will make real progress only when balanced development is achieved. In this sense, the OUC’s pledge to assist Xinjiang RTVU and Bingtuan RTVU during the Twelfth Five-Year-Plan exemplifies its mission to advance education in China, and this move should be congratulated and recorded as part of the OUC’s development history. The article reports that President Yang Zhijian expressly stated that the OUC’s assistance to Xinjiang RTVU and Bingtuan RTVU is of great significance in “promoting equal access to education” and that this is “a very important social responsibility of the OUC”. The article then provided a detailed description of the OUC’s key tasks. In addition to its significant theme, the rich content, concise language, and smooth flow of the article make it an excellent OUC news report.
6. Open University of China Established — Liu Yandong Calls for Concerted Effort to Effectively Operate an Open University well-suited for China
On July 31, 2012, the Open University of China was officially inaugurated at the Great Hall of the People. Liu Yandong, then member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and state councillor, attended the inaugural ceremony and delivered an important speech entitled “Effectively Operating an Open University well-suited for China”. Liu emphasized that the OUC must update its systems and mechanisms, continue to address the needs of all citizens, and work hard to construct and operate an open university well-suited for China.
Review by Wang Xuming: The name change was easy, but operating the new university will be a challenge. The article focuses not on the establishment of the university or the attendance of top leadership but on “effective operation” stressed in Liu’s speech, showing the writer’s insight. News should be both new and insightful.
7. OUC Bayi School, Zongcan School and School for the Air Force Renamed — Xu Caihou Calls for Overhaul in Distance Education for Military Personnel
On August 31, 2012, then member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice-chairman of the Central Military Committee Xu Caihou visited the staff of the OUC Bayi School. On behalf of the military, he extended heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Education and the OUC for their long-term support for professional development of military personnel. He called for thorough implementation of President Hu Jintao’s strategic initiative for integrated military and civilian development at all levels, further expansion of areas and channels of professional development through military and local cooperation, an overhaul of military distance education, and continuous improvement in the quality and efficiency of professional development programmes for the military.
Review by Zhang Yi: Since the start of distance education for military personnel in 2000, the three schools have trained all kinds of professionals. The renaming of the schools follows a general guideline of OUC construction. Military distance education is a key measure in developing professional talent and improving the overall character of military personnel. It also strengthens and supplements the education and training received by officers and soldiers in the army. Xu Caihou fully recognized in his remarks the OUC’s efforts in supporting the army’s professional development programme. He also urged expansion of areas and channels of professional development through military and local cooperation, an overhaul of distance education, better utilization of open and distance education to meet educational needs at multiple levels, and improved training to produce more professionals suited for China’s increasingly high-tech military.
8. Thirty-Seven Courses Selected as OUC Top Quality Courses for 2012
Thirty-seven courses were selected as OUC top quality courses for 2012, including Tianjin RTVU’s “Case Studies in Finance” and Heilongjiang RTVU’s “Tax Law and Tax Accounting”. The purpose of OUC top quality course selection is to further promote course construction and raise the quality of teaching resources across the entire system.
Review by Wang Xuming: A university must master management, but more importantly must master teaching; to master teaching, it must first master courses. The reporter expresses an expert’s view from a non-expert perspective—a rare feat.
9. OUC (CCRTVU) Staff Guo Xiaoxia Attends 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
Guo Xiaoxia, dean and Party branch secretary of the OUC School of Agroforestry and Medicine, had the honour of representing the hopes of Chinese citizens of all ethnic groups and bearing the solemn trust of Party members of the OUC and other institutions under the Ministry of Education as a delegate to the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
Review by Zhang Yi: As a RTVU teacher, Guo Xiaoxia is an outstanding leader on the educational front. Her tireless work ethic and achievements are well known to all. Her election as a delegate is highly symbolic; it is the pride of the entire RTVU family.
10. OUC Works with 15 Major Cities to Jointly Construct Learning-Oriented Cities
A conference was held in Beijing to promote cooperation between the OUC and 15 major cities in the joint development of learning-oriented cities. The 15 cities are Shenyang, Dalian, Changchun, Harbin, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Xiamen, Jinan, Qingdao, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Xi’an. Vice Minister of Education Du Zhanyuan attended the conference and made a speech. Afterwards, the OUC signed agreements with the 15 cities, marking the official establishment of a supportive and cooperative alliance between the OUC and the cities for the promotion of learning-oriented cities.
Review by Zhang Meizhi: The evolution from China Central Radio and TV University to Open University of China illustrates that China is changing with the times and becoming a learning-oriented country. In becoming the Open University of China, the OUC takes on an important mission. The article “OUC Works with 15 Major Cities to Jointly Construct Learning-Oriented Cities” records a historic moment in the process. The 15 cities meet together with a common goal — to build a learning-oriented society. Their pledge to work hand in hand towards this goal is certainly a momentous event! The article does not simply describe a current university event but captures an important development that relates to the future progress of the nation. After 30 years of rapid development, what is the most important issue that China must face and resolve? It is the people’s aspiration for intellectual uplift and the drive to continue advancing. With this in mind, the Central Committee issues a commission to build a learning-oriented society, and the OUC courageously takes up the call. Therefore, the success of the article lies both in its significant theme and accurate perspective. Moreover, the article is attractive due to its compact structure, flowing language and clear narration.
(Chronologically arranged by date of news report)
By HE Jing, the OUC