During October 11-15, 2016, the Korea National Open University (KNOU) hosted the 6th KNOU-OUC-OUJ International Seminar. The seminar’s theme was "Exploring New Roles of Open Universities in Korea, China, and Japan," with sub-themes of "Educational Innovation Utilising New Technology” and “The Status and Prospects of Blended Learning."

The presidents, scholars, and experts from the Open University of China (OUC), the Open University of Japan (OUJ), and KNOU held deep discussions on the theme. An OUC delegation of five, headed by President Yang Zhijian, attended the seminar.

At the opening ceremony, presidents from the OUC, OUJ, and KNOU each delivered congratulatory speeches. OUC President Yang Zhijian said the role of the open universities has been in transition due to social, cultural, and economic changes. In this context, the three parties should actively make use of the opportunity to communicate provided by the seminar to explore their new roles and share successful experiences with one another. Yang hoped that, through the seminar, the three parties would reach consensus on and accelerate the construction of open universities in Asia.

 At the seminar, six representatives from China, South Korea, and Japan delivered keynote speeches under the sub-themes of "Educational Innovation Utilising New Technology” and “The Status and Prospect of Blended Learning.” OUC Associate Prof. Han Yanhui delivered an academic report entitled Innovation Exploration on Cross-region, One-stop, Team-based Online Facilitation Modes: A Case Study of CALL, while the OUC’s Dr. Cheng Gang delivered a speech entitled Refactoring Learner Support System in the Internet Era. The representatives showed great interest in their reports, and actively exchanged views with them on the theory and practice of the OUC’s construction.

After the seminar, on behalf of the OUC, Yang Zhijian signed a cooperative memorandum with KNOU’s acting president, Prof. Kim Oi-Sook. According to the memo, the two sides will cooperate extensively, from personnel exchanges to research cooperation.

During the seminar, the delegation headed by Yang Zhijian also visited KNOU’s headquarters and study centres in Seoul. They made a special visit to inspect KNOU’s Digital Media Centre. They found the KNOU to have great advantages in video teaching application, and their experience with educating through television, network videos, virtual studios, and video conferencing systems greatly enlightened us.

The Seminar was founded in 2009. Since then, it has been held successively in South Korea, Japan, and China. On September 19, 2011, the OUC hosted the 3rd KNOU-OUC-OUJ International Seminar in Beijing, with the theme of "Reforming Educational Management in Open Universities." In September 2017, the 7th KNOU-OUC-OUJ International Seminar will be held at the OUJ.

By Chen Haishan, International Cooperation and Exchange Department, OUC