On 4 September 2024, the Open University of China (OUC) welcomed a delegation led by Prof. Caroline Omulando, deputy vice chancellor of the Open University of Kenya (OUK).

Fan Xianrui, vice president of the OUC, attended the event. The two sides engaged in discussions on cooperative initiatives, including the Kenya Open Learning Centre (Future Academy) and the Regional Cooperation Centre for China-Africa Digital Education.

In addition to Prof. Omulando, the delegation included Prof. Josphat Igadwa Mwasiagi, coordinator of OUK’s Project Management Unit; Prof. Masibo Lumala, director of the Institute of Open and Distance E-Learning at Moi University; Prof. Fan Xiuhua, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at Moi University; and Prof. Zhao Mingwei, director of the Office of International Affairs at Donghua University. The event was presided over by Liu Haiying, deputy dean of the College of International Education at the OUC.

Fan Xianrui warmly welcomed the OUK delegation and shared the OUC’s achievements and experiences since its establishment 45 years ago. She expressed the OUC’s willingness to strengthen cooperation with the OUK to advance educational modernisation in both China and Kenya, jointly contributing to building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. Fan emphasised the importance of leveraging each party’s strengths, collaborating closely, and working together to sustain partnerships in areas such as the Kenya Open Learning Centre (Future Academy), the Regional Cooperation Centre for China-Africa Digital Education, educational model exploration, teacher and student exchanges, and the joint development of international course resources. These efforts, she noted, should be implemented in a deep and solid manner through a small opening, aiming to set a benchmark in Sino-African international cooperation in digital and open education.

Prof. Caroline Omulando expressed her admiration for the OUC’s accomplishments over its 45-year history, which she found both impressive and inspiring. As a young institution founded just one year ago, the OUK is eager to learn from the OUC’s exemplary practices and is committed to actively contributing to the construction of the Kenya Open Learning Centre (Future Academy) and the Regional Cooperation Centre for China-Africa Digital Education.

During the symposium, representatives from both universities, along with Donghua University, engaged in in-depth discussions on the Kenya Open Learning Centre (Future Academy), the Regional Cooperation Centre for China-Africa Digital Education, and international Chinese language education. Key consensus was reached, paving the way for future collaboration. Subsequently, the OUC, OUK, and Donghua University will sign a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate the steady advancement of these cooperative initiatives.

Throughout their visit, the OUK delegation also toured the OUC’s “Internet + University” exhibition hall, where they were highly impressed by the university’s innovative practices and achievements.

Written by Lyu Guangru, photos by Li Biao, OUC