A delegation of four internationally renowned specialists in open and distance learning visited the Open University of China (OUC), after attending the parallel session “Reimagining Lifelong Learning in the Digital Age” at the 2025 Global Smart Education Conference.
The delegation included Prof. Elijah I. Omwenga, Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Kenya; Prof. Asha Singh Kanwar, Distinguished Professor at Beijing Normal University; and Mr Maxim Jean-Louis, Chief Executive Officer of Contact North | Contact Nord, Canada, Ms. FAN Xianrui, Vice President of OUC, welcomed the guests, together with representatives from the College of International Education, the Lifelong Education Research Institute for, and OUC Online Education & Information Technology Co., Ltd (OUC Online).
In her welcome address, Vice President FAN underscored OUC’s progress in leveraging digital intelligence to advance lifelong learning and build a learning society. She recalled the experts’ insights delivered at the parallel session, and noted that this exchange not only aligns with global trends but also showcases OUC’s practical efforts in building a learning-oriented society and nation. She expressed hope that the visit will deepen mutual understanding and consolidate consensus, inviting further collaboration in areas such as Open Learning Centres, joint research, digital university development, universities for older adults, and interoperability of digital education platforms.
The delegation toured the OUC “Internet Plus University” exhibition centre and the Seniors University of China exhibition hall. They commended OUC’s achievements in building a “four platforms and one support” model for a digitally empowered learning society, implementing the “One College Student Per Village” programme, establishing the Open Learning Centres, and advancing research in lifelong education.
During the thematic exchange session, the three experts outlined the operating models of their respective institutions - the Open University of Kenya and Contact North. DU Ruo and LI Shuguang from OUC’s Lifelong Education Research Institute presented the university’s research agenda and its long-standing comparative studies in international open education, and formally invited the visiting experts to join in future collaborative projects. XIONG Wei and LIU Tingting from OUC Online demonstrated the technological backbone underpinning the university’s three signature brands, core services, as well as future development plans. Participants engaged in an in-depth discussion on high-quality open education and pathways for digitally empowered lifelong learning.
The visiting experts expressed their willingness to join the International Network of Open and Distance Learning Experts established by OUC’s Lifelong Education Research Institute and to co-launch related research projects. OUC Online and Contact North | Contact Nord reached a preliminary agreement on overseas collaboration. The experts look forward to deepening cooperation with OUC and jointly advancing the high-quality development of global open education.
Written by LAN Tian, DU Ruo, LI Shuguang
Photos by LAN Tian