A delegation of four people headed by Zhang Jin of Shanghai Open University (Shanghai OU) and Hong Jianfeng, secretary of the Party Branch Committee affiliated to the Shanghai TV Secondary Specialised School, visited the Open University of China (OUC) on 9 June, 2023. A seminar was hosted to welcome the delegation.

Fan Xianrui, member of the Party Committee and vice president of the OUC, as well as the principal of the OUC Secondary Technical School, also attended the seminar. She was joined by personnel from relevant OUC departments and enterprises, including the Secondary Technical School, the Experimental School, the General Office of Party and Administration, the OUC Online and others. The two parties held in-depth discussions and exchanges on secondary vocational education for adults as well as the connection between secondary and higher vocational education. They also discussed digitalisation strategies and teaching reforms in open education as well as other key issues.

Fan extended a warm welcome to the delegation and introduced the main practices, progress and future plans for the university in relation to the national digital strategy. This included promoting the building of a digital university, strengthening international exchange and cooperation, enhancing its international impact, and intensifying standardized management while enhancing the quality of the secondary technical school.  The personnel in attendance also engaged in an exchange of business practices regarding connection between the secondary vocational education and open education, as well as the digital transformation.

Zhang said the OUC is committed to building a learning society and country where lifelong learning is pursued by all. She said the OUC is making substantial and effective contributions to promoting the digitalisation of education, internationalisation and enhancing the quality of teaching along with the development of learners. Zhang introduced the circumstances surrounding the operation of the school, such as innovations conducted by the Shanghai OU and Shanghai TV Secondary Specialised School. She said she hoped that such exchanges would offer a chance for mutual learning, cooperation and development between the two sides.

The delegation also visited the OUC “Internet Plus” Exhibition Centre and the exhibition hall of the Seniors University of China, which is titled “Opening a New Chapter of Seniors Education in China”.

Written by Cui Ming, photographed by Wu Xinghua, OUC