On 28 June 2022, the Open University of China (OUC) held a symposium for young teachers on a plan for enhancing their research and innovation abilities. Over twenty people attended, including Li Song, OUC vice president, personnel from the OUC Research and Management Office, and young leaders of the university’s research projects.
Li Song stressed that the OUC Party Committee has already stated that a three-step strategy should be followed to build the OUC into a world-class open university, requiring high-caliber teachers and researchers. In reforms, research plays an essential role in enhancing education and promoting the professional development of faculty, and therefore the OUC will enhance the capacity of its faculty for research and innovation. Research depends on collaboration, problem-solving, and keeping in mind that research is both creative and down-to-earth.
Li Song expressed four expectations of future research. First, political awareness should be strengthened, and research guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. Second, both content and ideology should be emphasised, with the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education fulfilled through the construction of majors and programmes, practical teaching, and specialised instruction. Third, systems should be constructed and teams optimised. Both basic and practical research should be stressed, and efforts put into course and resource development in order to build a research system. Building research teams is also very important. Fourth, research systems and mechanisms should be established, with the university providing both institutional and funding guarantees. Li Song pointed out that the environment of the OUC is different from that of elite universities in China, but as capable of outstanding research. The OUC will foster its own academics, and achieve its goal of becoming a world-class open university.
In the exchange session, the young teachers attending expressed their ideas, wishes and suggestions concerning research at the university, and the Research and Management Office responded to their questions.
The symposium provided a forum for establishing consensus and presenting targeted suggestions to enhance research.
By Chen Min, OUC