On 29th March 2024, a symposium and study visit were held at the Weigongcun Campus of the Open University of China (OUC).
The event aimed to promote the high-quality development of national digital literacy and skills training bases, as well as enhance the digital literacy and skills of the OUC’s faculty members and staff. Fan Xianrui, a member of the OUC Party Committee and vice president, attended the event and delivered a welcome speech. A delegation led by officials from the Information Technology Bureau at the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission participated in the event in two separate groups. The delegation consisted of approximately 110 individuals, including leaders and staff from 78 bases and local cyberspace affairs administration offices across the country.
On behalf of the OUC Party Committee, Fan Xianrui extended a warm welcome to the delegation. She emphasised that over the past four decades, China's open education has seen significant developments through innovation. This represents one of the positive practices in the country's journey to explore a developmental path towards Chinese-style modernization, making a unique and historic contribution to making higher education more popular and accessible to the public. She highlighted that OUC, also known as the Seniors University of China (SUC), is committed to implementing the "National Digital Literacy and Skills Enhancement Action Plan" issued by the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission. The university strives to create a digital platform that connects the world, serves the development of a society and country where lifelong learning is pursued by all, and contributes to building a lifelong learning service system where everyone can learn anytime and anywhere.
During the exchange and interaction session, Cheng Gang, director of the Department of Digitalisation at OUC, shared insights into the university's work experience and strategic direction in innovative digital teaching methods, the establishment of a National Credit Bank, and the expansion of universities for seniors. Zhang Tong, vice dean of the OUC Experiment School, Liu Xiaonan, deputy director of the Senior College under SUC, and Wang Lina, deputy director of the OUC Credit Bank Department (Learning Outcomes Accreditation Centre), participated in the exchange discussions. The attending experts gained a comprehensive understanding of the excellent practices related to teaching content, methods, and learner administration at the bases. Participants also actively shared their insights and experiences on digital literacy and skill training, offering constructive feedback and suggestions for the bases' future development.
The field trip to the Weigongcun campus of OUC allowed participants to experience a variety of digital teaching and training environments firsthand. These included holographic classrooms, 5G demonstration classrooms, VR classrooms, virtual studios, open areas designed for ubiquitous learning, spaces for exchange and discussion, and physique building classrooms. Most attendees reported that the field trip provided them with a comprehensive understanding of digital teaching techniques, offering fresh ideas and inspiration for their future work.
This field trip offered a valuable chance for the exchange of experiences regarding the development of digital literacy and skills training bases in China. It also served as a showcase for interaction with the cyberspace affairs and education sectors nationwide. The bases and the OUC are committed to working together to enhance the digital literacy and skills of the populace, contributing to the creation of a society and country where lifelong learning is pursued by all.
By Zhang Xiaobang, OUC