To further promote the work of the ASEAN-China Digital Education Alliance (hereinafter referred to as the Alliance), continue to enhance the university's international influence, and gradually develop and refine the framework and planning for the development of an international digital university platform, the Secretariat of the ASEAN-China Digital Education Alliance (hereinafter referred to as the Secretariat) recently organised a needs assessment survey of the Alliance and a seminar on the development of the international platform.
This event was in collaboration with the Engineering Centre, the Information Technology Department of Digitalisation, College of International Education (Office of Foreign Affairs; Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs）, OUC Ubiquitous Age, and OUC Online Education & Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Deputy Secretary Xu Mingjun of the Open University of China (OUC) Party Committee attended the event. Li Zhonglai, vice president of Qingdao Open University (OU); former vice president Deng Yankui and vice president Xin Lizhang of Guangxi OU; Luo Xiaoliang, vice president of Chongqing OU; Zhao Xiangsen, vice president of Yantai OU; and personnel related to international cooperation from Open Universities of Fujian, Henan, Wuhan, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, representing a total of nine units within the OUC education system, participated in the seminar. The event was chaired by Li Jing, deputy director of the Engineering Centre.
Xu Mingjun highlighted that this event marks a research initiative undertaken by the Secretariat to implement the national education "global outreach" strategy. It also serves as a crucial opportunity for the headquarters to engage deeply with the expert insights from the OUC education system. He shared that the Secretariat is diligently refining its three major work plans for 2024, and the OUC is accelerating its efforts to develop the international version of the digital university platform. These endeavours require the collective dedication and intellect of the education system as we look toward the future.
He made several appeals to the participants. Firstly, they should actively assist in the implementation of the national strategy by thoroughly understanding it, staying informed about international developments, building consensus, and moving forward unitedly. Secondly, they should embrace openness and innovation to enhance their capability to serve the Alliance. This involves focusing on systemic innovation in collaboration, mechanism and platform openness, and adopting a problem-oriented approach. Participants are encouraged to engage directly on the frontline, conducting field research to uncover solutions. Thirdly, they should pursue truth with grounded efforts, confront challenges directly, tailor approaches to local conditions, and adopt a pragmatic and realistic stance. By doing so, they can understand needs from multiple perspectives and make significant contributions of open universities to the global outreach of the national education.
Cheng Gang, dean of the Department of Digitalisation; Li Jing, deputy director of the Engineering Centre; Shi Yunzhi, vice dean of the College of International Education; Yuan Yaxing, Chairman of OUC Ubiquitous Age; and Wang Shuo, deputy general manager of OUC Online Education & Information Technology, each presented their visions and strategies regarding the development of the international version of the platform. They discussed the current progress of the Secretariat's efforts, provided an overview of the international platform's development, explored how new technology can enhance education in international contexts, and outlined the Secretariat's next steps and plans.
Representatives from various branches and campuses showcased their business collaborations and platform development with ASEAN countries, and put forward suggestions for the Alliance and the international version of the platform. All participants engaged in a comprehensive discussion on topics such as digital platform development, digital resource expansion, external exchanges, research collaborations, policy creation, and standardization. Through these discussions, a unanimous agreement emerged that the Alliance provides a solid foundation to expand the open education market overseas. It serves as a window to present the image of open universities to the international community. Furthermore, the OUC education system as a whole agreed to unite in consensus, coordinate efforts, innovate, take the lead, learn from each other, and collectively work towards the development of digital universities.
The hosting of this seminar has clarified the work requirements and directions for the Alliance, while also offering a clear understanding of the foundational situation and planning framework for the development of an international platform for digital universities. The OUC and its regional branches have engaged in thorough discussions and exchanges of views, fostering a positive communication environment. This has laid a solid foundation for the ongoing advancement of open education's global outreach, the development of digital universities, and related efforts.
Written by Li Yajing, Zhang Xiaobang and photos by Zhuge Huanyu, OUC