The Open University of China (OUC) recently hosted a closing meeting on African strategic layout research for the Open Learning Centres (Future Academy) and a seminar on the construction of these centres.

The event was attended by Fan Xianrui, a member of the Party Committee and vice president of the OUC; Xin Xiuming, vice president of the China International Contractors Association; Wang Heng, secretary of the Party Committee and vice dean of the African Studies Institute at Zhejiang Normal University; Zhang Zhongxiang, director of the African Studies Centre at Shanghai Normal University; Zheng Jun, chief business expert and dean of the CCECC Research Institute at China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation; and Du Juan, deputy general manager of the Equipment Division at AVIC International Holding Corporation. Leaders and foreign affairs specialists from eight branches also attended. Shi Yunzhi, vice dean of the College of International Education, chaired the meeting.

Fan Xianrui provided an overview of the OUC and the development of the Open Learning Centres (Future Academy) project. As a new type of university under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Education (MOE), the OUC is dedicated to executing the directives of the Party Central Committee and advancing the establishment of Open Learning Centres (Future Academy) in accordance with the MOE's Leading Party Group's requirements. Several Open Learning Centres (Future Academy) have been established, with ongoing work being carried out. The OUC has tasked the China International Contractors Association with conducting the "Research on the African Strategic Layout of the OUC's Open Learning Centres (Future Academy)." This research aims to enhance and optimise their presence in Africa, explore implementation strategies and cooperation resources, and promote the integration of industry and education overseas, ensuring the effective execution of the project.

Xin Xiuming noted that the OUC's initiative aligns well with the urbanisation and industrialisation needs of African countries and the localisation needs of the international contracting engineering industry. He believes that this research is just the beginning, and with collective efforts, the OUC's Open Learning Centres (Future Academy) will achieve significant success in Africa.

The project team from the China International Contractors Association presented the findings and conclusions from their research on the "African Strategic Layout of Open Learning Centres (Future Academy)." Review experts and participants engaged in thorough discussions on the report, eventually reaching a consensus on future actions. This sets a solid foundation for the OUC's efforts to establish Open Learning Centres (Future Academy) in Africa.

By Lyu Guangru, OUC