Jing Degang, President of the Open University of China (OUC), delivered a speech titled "Diligent Learning and Worthwhile Action in Practising the Requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping” to students, staff and members of the general public via livestream on 27 February 2023. The occasion marked the beginning of the spring semester.

Jing pointed out that 2023 is the first year to mark the broad implementation of the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). In light of the instructions issued by the Party Central Committee and the Leading Party Group of the Ministry of Education, the OUC Party Committee has decided to incorporate the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the CPC into all respects of teaching and education at the university from the first day of the new semester.

Jing emphasised that explicit requirements have been put forward for the majority of youth in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, three of which are of great importance. First, young people should steadfastly follow the Party and its guidance; second, they should aim high but stay grounded, and dare to think and take action but make sure they can deliver; third, they should strive to be the new era’s great young generation, a generation with ideals, a sense of responsibility, grit and dedication.

He reiterated that life is a journey of struggle. He also expressed hope that students would pay attention to the instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, treat outstanding OUC students as role models, and work hard to fulfill their goals. Jing urged them to pursue excellence through humility, maintain firm ideals and convictions, study hard, and dedicate themselves to the country and people.
Jing reaffirmed the OUC’s success in adapting to the times by transitioning from the era of radio and television university to "Internet Plus University" and today’s digitalised university. The plan now is to develop the OUC into a digitalised university that connects the world. In the OUC, there is always a course, teacher, learning approach and goal to be attained that suits the individual, as well as a “study buddy" in the form of a smart library.

The OUC headquarters instructed its branches and schools to organise their teachers and students to watch the livestream. The full title was “The First Class in the New Semester: Diligent Learning and Worthwhile Action in Practising the Requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping". The livestream was accessible on multiple platforms, and approximately two million people tuned in.
After the class, teachers and students from all over the country shared their experience. The OUC’s “first class” has become a ritual to mark the beginning of each semester, and the consensus is that it promotes feelings of unity and cohesion while boosting morale in regards to online education. The speech also encouraged staff and students to uphold fundamental principles, look ahead to the future with an enterprising spirit, and adhere to the promise of youth and the challenges of the times.
Teachers in the OUC said they would continue to improve the learning experience, implement the requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping, and use education to foster virtue. Students from across the country said they had gained strength and warmth from the first class. They added that they had been inspired by the OUC president, and that they would bear in mind the requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping. To fulfill their promise, they emphasised that they would read and learn more, achieving glory in their youth through hard work and dedication.

Students from the OUC headquarters, branches and schools, as well as study centres attending the "First Class" together

By Yu Qijing, OUC