A delegation led by Li Song, vice president of the Open University of China (OUC), recently conducted special research visit to Inner Mongolia Open University.

The objective was to promote the university's high-quality development, fortify the open-university educational system and Credit Bank, and enhance its capacity to foster a learning society committed to lifelong learning for all.

The research symposium was attended by Li Fengchun, the Party secretary, and Hexigejiya, vice president and Party Committee member of Inner Mongolia Open University; Feng Qiang, a second-level researcher at the Department of Vocational and Adult Education, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region; and heads from relevant departments at Inner Mongolia Open University. Discussions revolved around the foundational activities, prevailing challenges, and strategic enhancements necessary for study centres in border regions. These deliberations were complemented by group explorations and meticulous field studies focusing on degree management and the Credit Bank operations.

Li Song underscored the pivotal role of study centres as the grassroots teaching units within the open university network, essential for highlighting their importance as the foundational level for delivering open education. He stressed the significance of rigorously developing these study centres to solidify educational foundations, uplift instructional quality, and enrich student services. Additionally, he highlighted the Credit Bank's critical function in creating a framework for lifelong education and fostering a learning society. It is essential to further refine the Credit Bank system, strengthening the key processes of learning outcome accreditation, accumulation, and transfer to enhance its role in promoting educational equity and quality.

To acquire deeper understanding of the grassroots level study centres in the frontier regions, the research group also conducted site visits to the Hulun Buir Open University, Genhe Study Centre, and Ergun Study Centre.

Joining the investigation included Liu Chun, deputy Party secretary and president of the Inner Mongolia Open University; Wang Lina, deputy director of the OUC's Credit Bank Department (Learning Outcomes Accreditation Centre); and Bao Yunli, deputy director of the OUC’s Academic Affairs Department.

Written by Zheng Xubing, OUC

Photos by Inner Mongolia Open University