On 5 November 2019, the OUC and the National Institute of Education Sciences (NIES) sign a memorandum on research cooperation. President of the NIES Cui Baoshi, Party secretary of the NIES Yin Changchun, Party secretary and president of the OUC Jing Degang, executive deputy Party secretary of the OUC Cao Guoyong, vice president Ju Chuanjin, deputy Party secretary Liu Chen, and the heads of the relevant departments of the two sides held a discussion meeting. The meeting was presided over by Ju Chuanjin.

Yin Changchun introduced the main content of the cooperation. According to the memorandum, the NIES supports the OUC in strengthening its research into the medium and long-term reform and development of open universities, basic school-running ability, quality assurance assessment indicators, education modernisation and informatisation, and rural revitalisation. The OUC is supportive of the NIES' construction of a national education research network platform; the training of teachers for universities, middle schools, primary schools, and kindergartens, as well as researchers for education and scientific research institutions; the promotion of the transformation of scientific research results; and the improvement of the ability and level of education research services for national strategy. The two sides will cooperate in the areas of education strategy, expert resources sharing, education and training, and scientific research.

Jing Degang introduced the basic situation and future development direction of the OUC. He said that while studying and implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, the Opinions of the MOE on Strengthening Scientific Research Work in the New Era was promulgated and implemented, and the OUC was preparing for the first National Party Congress. The two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation. The memorandum is of great significance in deploying the decisions of the central committee and the Ministry of Education (MOE), improving the education and research level of the OUC, promoting the reform and development of education and teaching, and exploring a new model for open universities with Chinese characteristics. At the request of Minister of the MOE Chen Baosheng, in order to polish the OUC brand, the two sides should cooperate and carry out research on building an education system for lifelong learning, successfully run artificial intelligence and the Internet+ university in the 5G era, and promote the overall transformation and upgrading of the radio and television university. This is an important part of implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee, promoting the innovation of education and research in the new era, and promoting the transformation and development of the OUC. The two sides will adhere to problem and goal-oriented principles on a pragmatic path, conduct research and implement the results on a case-by-case basis, and work together to create a better future.

Cui Baoshi said that the signing of the memorandum is an inevitable requirement of the in-depth implementation of the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee, China Education Modernisation 2035, and MOE Opinions on Successfully Operating Open Universities. As a university with distinctive Chinese characteristics, the OUC has conducted various practical explorations in order to meet diverse learning demands and, over the past 40 years, has built a learning society where everyone can learn anytime, anywhere. At the 40th anniversary of the founding of the OUC, the OUC summarised, conducted research, and refined the practical experience of the open university's mission, education model, and type of school running, which is of great significance in promoting the future development of education under the background of artificial intelligence. It is also of great practical significance in exploring the development of socialist education with Chinese characteristics. During the course of cooperation, both sides will enrich the content of the cooperation , focus on the goal, unite their strength, and deepen the cooperation to achieve practical results.

By Yi Xin, OUC