To further advance the thematic education campaign on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and to deepen the investigation and research to promote the high-quality development of the School of Marxism, the School of Marxism at the Open University of China (OUC) recently conducted an investigation and research visit to Jinhua Open University (OU) in Zhejiang Province.

The purpose of the visit was to explore the needs for cultivating high-quality talents for grassroots Party affairs and gain a deeper understanding of the development of the Party Affairs major.

The investigation and research team conducted a roundtable meeting following their visit to Jinhua Open University for Older Adults and Jinhua OU. Zheng Wei, executive vice dean of the School of Marxism at Zhejiang OU and secretary of the Party Branch of the Teaching Centre, along with other relevant leaders and teachers, participated in the meeting.

Chen Kun, deputy dean of the OUC School of Marxism, presented an overview of the enrolment and curriculum development of the OUC major in Party Affairs. She also clarified the purpose of the investigation and research. During the meeting, all attendees actively shared their thoughts and insights on enrolment, teaching, existing challenges, and proposed solutions for the Party Affairs major. Chen Kun expressed the commitment to carefully analyze the issues identified in the investigation, use them as guidance, seize the opportunity window, and vigorously promote the development of the university's Party Affairs programme.

Accompanied by staff from Zhejiang OU and Jinhua OU, the investigation and research team visited Yali Village in Caozhai Township, Jindong District, Jinhua City. During the visit, the team had the opportunity to engage with local villagers and learn about their experiences and practices. They discovered how the villagers of Yali Village have achieved beautiful rural construction through environmental improvement and have advanced rural revitalisation through the digital field industry, all under the leadership of the village's Party Branch.

The investigation and research team also visited Beishankou Village in Chisong Township, known as the home of fingered citrons in China. They had the opportunity to witness firsthand the inspiring story of Xing Xiaobing and Fu Huiqun, a couple of OUC students who achieved prosperity by selling fingered citrons and their derivative products through e-commerce live broadcasts. The team engaged in meaningful discussions with six representatives of the new students majoring in Party Affairs at the Beishankou Village Party and Mass Service Centre. The students shared their own learning experiences since enrolment and sought guidance from the investigation and research team regarding the challenges they encountered.

Chen Kun emphasized the significant importance of this in-depth frontline investigation and research. She highlighted that the teachers of the Party Affairs major gained first-hand insights into the working and learning environment of the students, identified the development needs of the major's courses and teaching activities, as well as recognized the urgent issues that require attention. Chen Kun expressed her hopes that the teachers of the major would meet the expectations, contribute to the development of the Party Affairs programme, and provide excellent teaching services. She encouraged them to ensure that the students have a rewarding and fulfilling learning experience.

This investigation and research provided an opportunity for the teachers from the OUC headquarters to gain a deeper understanding of the specific situation and practical needs of the students at the grassroots level. It strengthened the bond between the headquarters and the branch and made a positive contribution to the development and teaching of the Party Affairs major at the university.

 

By Zhao Zhiqiang and Yuan Yiping, OUC