On 9 March 2020, a unified ideological and political educational course on epidemic prevention and control for national college students jointly organised by the Department of Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education and people.com was broadcast live on the Internet. More than four million students from the Open University of China (OUC) attended the course via a number of different live platforms.

Four experts, Ai Silin, Qin Xuan, Wang Binglin, and Feng Xiujun, were invited to host this grand ideological and political education course. The experts combined the teaching contents of four compulsory courses: "Introduction to the Basic Principles of Marxism,” "Introduction to Mao Zedong Thought and the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics,” "Outline of Modern Chinese History,” and "Ideological and Moral Cultivation and Legal Foundations.” They gave speeches on the topics "Deepening Theoretical Understanding in the Fight against the COVID-19 Epidemic,” "What Can We Learn from an Examination of the Epidemic,” "Summarise Historical Experience and Strengthen Confidence,” and “The Role of Young People in Epidemic Prevention: A Discussion on the Responsibility of Chinese Youth.” Their speeches interpreted the decisions and arrangements for epidemic prevention and control made by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Xi Jinping at the core, analysed the remarkable advantages of the CPC leadership and a socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and shared touching stories from the front line of epidemic prevention and control. The lectures gave play to the fundamental role of ideological and political education as a core course in strengthening moral education in colleges and universities and guided students in consciously inheriting and carrying forward the spirit of patriotism and transforming it behavioural consciousness and thoughts that will help them to struggle ahead.

Various branches, experimental schools, and industry and corporate colleges of the OUC organised for their students, ideological and political education teachers, counsellors, class teachers, and other personnel to watch the video class, conscientiously implement relevant requirements according to local and university conditions, and include the course in the official teaching plan for ideological and political education courses during the epidemic prevention and control period. For example, the OUC Guangdong Branch has incorporated the course into the course "Situation and Policies" for the 2020 spring semester, with credits granted for its study. Quanzhou Radio and TV University has included it in the attendance and form examination results of its ideological and political education courses this semester.

After watching the course, the OUC students said that they were proud of the CPC and the central government for taking responsibility during the epidemic. During the nationwide fight against the epidemic, they gained a better understanding of what true love for a family and the country is, and also saw a bright future for China. They promised to combine their personal future with the fate of the motherland, apply what they have learned, strive to make achievements, and work hard in their ordinary jobs in order to help make China prosperous.

Through watching this special ideological and political education course, teachers within the OUC system also realised that the task of "Building Morality and Cultivating Students" is more important than ever. Twenty-seven members of the ideological and political education course team of the OUC Heilongjiang Branch suggested in a WeChat group discussion that they should keep pace with the times in the teaching work of the ideological and political education course, integrate the course with hot topics and difficult issues, and give full play to the function of ideological and political education in educating students. Based on this event, teachers from the OUC’s School of Marxism discussed how to deepen the future reform and innovation of the ideological and political education course.

By Xuan Hongqin, OUC School of Marxism