Wuhan, 16 May 2025 - “Explore Digitally, Act Wisely: Empowering Large-Scale Personalized Lifelong Learning through Digital Intelligence”, one of the parallel sessions during the 2025 World Digital Education Conference, was held in Wuhan, Hubei Province on 15th May.
This event was guided by the Open University of China, and organised by Hubei Open University and Wuhan Open University. Nearly 130 representatives from education departments, higher education institutions, and leading enterprises in 28 countries and regions were present at the session. Vice Minister of Education WANG Guangyan attended the session and delivered an insightful speech.
Speech by Vice Minister of Education WANG Guangyan
Vice Minister WANG emphasised that China is committed to building a learning-oriented society, in which all residents pursue lifelong study, and can study whenever and wherever they want to. China is vigorously advancing the digital transformation of education, promoting large-scale application and data integration and sharing, and focusing on building a ubiquitous and accessible lifelong education system.
Looking ahead, China will continue to deeply implement the digital education strategy. Efforts will be made to expand educational resources, strengthen and effectively utilise the Smart Education of China Platform. The construction of the Lifelong Education section will be continuously refined. The system of the Open University of China (OUC) will be improved, and the successful operation of the Seniors University of China will be ensured. Moreover, there will be a strong push for the refinement, systematization, and professionalization of lifelong learning resources.
Innovation in mechanisms will also be a priority. The National Credit Bank and the learning outcomes certification system will be enhanced to better support various types of learning organisations. Additionally, China will actively engage in co-development and sharing with countries worldwide. Collaborative efforts will be made to build an open and shared digital education resource platform. Exploring mutual recognition of courses and transfer of credits will be pursued to promote the establishment of a global lifelong education community empowered by digital technology.
Keynote Speech by OUC President WANG Qiming
Session Presided over by OUC Vice President FAN Xianrui
The session focused on two major topics: "Innovation and Transformation of Educational Paradigm Driven by Intelligent Technology" and "Innovative Exploration and Practice of Ecological Governance Mechanism for Lifelong Learning." It thoroughly examined the theoretical and practical aspects of leveraging digital intelligence to empower lifelong learning. The aim was to align with the digital age's trends, create a platform for international exchanges and cooperation in digital education, drive innovation and transformation in lifelong education, and contribute valuable insights to the global digital education and lifelong learning system construction.
During the session, the 12 newly-established Open Learning Centres (overseas) of OUC were prominently showcased. Since 2017, OUC has been focusing on digital education, international Chinese language education, and vocational skills education. In collaboration with universities, leading enterprises, and local open universities, 34 OUC Open Learning Centres were established in 28 countries worldwide.
The session also witnessed the release of the new-generation information infrastructure for the field of lifelong education - the Digital Foundation System. This system integrates resource integration, data-driven services, intelligent services, security protection, and open sharing. It is designed to build a unified, open, intelligent, and secure capability system that will robustly support the high-quality development of lifelong education.
During the digital education achievement exhibition held concurrently with the parallel session, OUC showcased its lifelong education network through immersive family learning scenarios. This network, which covers urban and rural areas across the country and connects thousands of households, leverages the university's institutional and systemic strengths. It focuses on the "four services" and constructs a "four platforms and one support" system. By utilising digital empowerment, it makes lifelong education truly ubiquitous and accessible to all.
By OUC