Recently, the Education Foundation of the Open University of China (OUC) convened its first council's 10th session.

All members of the inaugural Foundation Council were present, along with Zhou Tianming, vice president from the university, supervisors from the Foundation, and all members of its Secretariat. The meeting was presided over by Ju Chuanjin, chairman of the Foundation.

Zheng Jie, the Foundation's secretary-general, presented the Council with a series of reports on the Foundation's activities in 2023, including financial statements, special information, budget implementation for 2023, and the proposed budget for 2024. Zheng Jie also reviewed the accomplishments of 2023 and outlined plans for 2024. After voting, all directors unanimously approved the reports.

Zhou Tianming gave full recognition to the accomplishments of the Foundation Secretariat over the past year. With the care and support of all directors, the Secretariat managed to achieve a remarkable increase in both fundraising and funding in a relatively short period—an achievement deserving of praise. The projects funded in 2023 vividly demonstrate the Foundation's commitment to educational public welfare, encompassing faculty and staff within the university system and highlighting the positive image of the university's active social responsibility. He expressed his hope that the Secretariat would focus on the fundamental task of fostering virtue in students through education, actively mobilize societal forces, further leverage the Foundation's public welfare nature, and build a strong brand image for both the university and the Foundation.

Representing the Council, Ju Chuanjin praised the Secretariat for their achievements in 2023, pointing out that their work involved broader, more practical, and more detailed service support activities. He encouraged the Foundation and Secretariat to persist in their efforts, fully harness the leadership role of Party building, effectively implement the directives of the Leading Party Group of the Ministry of Education and the university Party Committee, continuously monitor the effectiveness of funding projects, and contribute to the high-quality development of the university. This will ensure the provision of top-notch services for building a strong educational nation, supporting the lifelong learning system, and advancing open and inclusive education.

Additionally, the meeting approved the revised draft of the Foundation's procurement management methods and discussed streamlining the process for university departments to declare Foundation public welfare projects and other related matters.

Contributed by Gao Enze, photographed by Yu Zhangli, OUC