On 9 October 2019, Zhou Yong, an outstanding alumnus of the Open University of China (OUC), donated a logo made with magnetic levitation technology to his Alma Mater, the OUC. The donation ceremony was held at the "Internet + University" Operation Exhibition Centre. Deputy secretary of the Party committee of the OUC, Liu Chen, and related personnel from the Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development attended the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Liu Chen and relevant personnel from the Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development held a discussion with Zhou Yong.

At the meeting, Liu Chen welcomed Zhou Yong. The two parties exchanged views on the current research situation and future development prospects of maglev technology and discussed their understanding of open education. Liu Chen said that the OUC will always be a home for all OUC graduates and that Zhou Yong and other outstanding alumni are a point of extreme pride. “We should strengthen the construction of our alumni association and create a more relaxed and open learning and exchange environment, so as to promote the mutual development of the OUC and our alumni.” Zhou Yong noted that his time at the OUC broadened his horizons, changed his way of thinking, and had an positive impact on his personal growth. Zhou Yong said that the donation is his way of expressing his gratitude to his Alma Mater and his good wishes for its future development.

Zhou Yong was a student of the Administrative Management major of the OUC (Qingdao) in 2015 and is now a chief technician of CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd. He has been awarded honorary titles including Taishan Leading Talent, High-speed Rail Craftsman, Shandong Model Worker, and Craftsman Talent Innovation Studio. In 2015, a National Master Studio was named after him, based on more than 240 technical breakthroughs, 12 key quality assurance projects, and eight published achievements. Over the past 31 years, Zhou Yong has grown from an ordinary worker to a well-known expert in the field of high-speed EMU and urban rail metro development, won the title of the first person in China's high-speed EMU electrical commission and made outstanding contributions to the industrialisation of China's high-speed EMU industry. Based on his strong sense of mission, he always stays on the front line and practices diligently, inheriting the spirit of model workers and craftsmen in his work.

The maglev logo consists of a white base printed with the Chinese and English names of the OUC in red and a suspended white sphere printed with the logo of the OUC. The design adopts advanced magnetic levitation technology, using a new renewable and biodegradable material, PLA, as the main material. The main body was made using 3D printing technology, reflecting an ingenious combination of technology and art.

By Yi Xing,OUC