Beijing, 11 April 2025 - A delegation from the Federation of Calligraphy Society Malaysia (FOCSM) visited the Open University of China (OUC), engaging in discussions on calligraphy education, digital resource sharing, and cultural exchange. The event aimed to foster mutual learning in the arts and promote traditional Chinese culture on the global stage.
Head and faculty representatives from OUC’s School of Art, Learning Resources Department, College of International Education, Department of Reform and Development, Department of Quality Monitoring and Control, the Seniors University of China, and Bell & Horn Education and Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. attended the meeting, which was chaired by ZHANG Feng, Deputy Dean of the School of Art.
ZHANG Feng provided a comprehensive overview of the School of Art, the calligraphy programme’s curriculum design, degree and non-degree courses, teaching model and operational feature, as well as the school’s distinctive “tradition-rooted, innovation-driven” teaching philosophy. Heads of other departments further elaborated OUC's accomplishments in lifelong education, its pioneering efforts in developing digital learning resources, and its strategic approaches to globalisation.
HUANG Ruiqing, President of FOCSM, praised OUC’s educational model and shared the FOCSM’s achievements in promoting calligraphy across Southeast Asia and hosting international competitions in recent years. He expressed keen interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation with OUC. PANG Zhonghua, OUC’s Distinguished Professor, proposed the initiative of “digital calligraphy teaching resource sharing,” while HUANG Youjing, Review Director of FOCSM, advocated for regular exchange mechanism to facilitate artistic dialogues.
The visit featured a ceremonial exchange of calligraphic artworks: President HUANG Ruiqing presented a seal-script masterpiece to OUC, reciprocated by works from Professor PANG Zhonghua and faculty member WANG Shaofan. Attendees also participated in a live calligraphy demonstration and discussed concrete collaboration frameworks.
Leveraging calligraphy as a cultural bridge between China and Malaysia, this event marks a significant step in OUC’s international strategy. After this exchange, the university has further strengthened its efforts to promote bilateral cultural exchanges through calligraphy. Moving forward, it will establish long-term partnerships, export its educational resources, and promote calligraphy education worldwide.
Written by WANG Shaofan, GUO Meng
Photos by ZHUGE Huanyu, GUO Meng