In October 2021, a book published by the Open University of China Press (OUC Press) entitled Beyond Distance Education: Cutting-Edge Perspectives on the Future of Global Open Universities received a lot of attention from higher education institutions in the UK and has been added to the libraries of several universities.

In addition, the book has received positive comments in the media in China and beyond, being lauded as an in-depth exploration of education in the post Covid-19 era, which will have a far-reaching influence on the development of distance education around the world.

The book was launched on the initiative of OUC President, Dr. Jing Degang. Leaders of educational institutions were invited to discuss the development and action plans of their universities since the outbreak of Covid-19 and share their strategic vision and prospective predictions. The book brings together a collection of articles written by leaders from 15 open universities around the world, including the UK, Canada, Germany, Spain, Japan, Korea, Australia, Malaysia, and South Africa. The summative analyses of the past and thoughts on the future shared by the authors opened a window for exchanges in global open education, making it a worthwhile read for people working in open education and e-learning. The book has been added to the libraries of the Open University, UK (OUUK) and the University of London (UoL), and copyright cooperation has also been conducted with Open University Malaysia (OUM), Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), and Botswana Open University (BOU).

Beyond Distance Education: Cutting-Edge Perspectives on the Future of Global Open Universities has played a positive role in promoting Chinese lifelong education and online education in the new “dual circulation” development pattern, while also strengthening international exchanges and cooperation and the ability to “tell Chinese stories well.” 

Reprinted by OUC Network from Xinhua Agency

16 November 2021