On the morning of 9 September 2024, at 9:00 AM, Zhou Tianming, vice president of the Open University of China (OUC), inaugurated the 2024 autumn semester with the "First Class of the New Semester," delivered via a live video broadcast.
The lecture, titled “Pursuing the Dream of Building a Strong Country While Living a Progressive Brilliant Life”, was addressed to all faculty, students within its educational system, and the general public.
Zhou Tianming discussed the expectations and historical responsibilities faced by the younger generation in this new era. He detailed the OUC's commitment to respecting learning and enhancing its universal benefit, empowering everyone to excel. He urged students to embrace their prime years and tirelessly strive for a progressive life, with a spirit of self-improvement and relentless pursuit.
Zhou highlighted that we are in an era dedicated to crafting a new chapter of Chinese-style modernisation, deeply characterised by technological revolutions and industrial transformations, abundant with dreams and boundless possibilities. He encouraged the OUC students to integrate their personal aspirations with the national development objectives, uphold lifelong learning, and continually seek self-enhancement and surpassing achievements.
Zhou Tianming stated that as a new-style higher education institution, the OUC steadfastly adheres to the educational philosophy of “openness, responsibility, quality, diversity, and internationalisation”. The university caters to all adult learners in society, supported by modern digital and intelligent technologies, and utilses a systematic school operational model with flexible educational and teaching frameworks to facilitate student growth. He reflected on the significant contributions during the OUC’s 45-year development and looked forward to the university’s goal of becoming a world-class open university with Chinese characteristics.
Zhou Tianming advocated for the OUC students to diligently develop core competencies, establish lofty ideals, maintain a lifelong learning mindset, deepen professional skills, enhance digital literacy, cultivate artistic sensibilities, inspire entrepreneurial and innovative capabilities, and protect mental health. He also provided guidance for their studies.
The "First Class of the New Semester" was broadcast live on multiple platforms, including China.org.cn, People's Daily Online, CCTV, the OUC WeChat official account, Huixuexi, and the OUC Learning Network, attracting over 1.5 million viewers online.
After the broadcast, faculty and students eagerly shared their impressions and learning experiences. Faculty members emphasised that the “First Class of the New Semester” is an important ceremony each term, offering a feast of knowledge and clarifying the path forward, thereby motivating every OUC student to pursue their dreams courageously and advance in the new era. Students remarked that the "First Class" served as both a spiritual baptism and a motivational launch for their endeavours in the new semester. Inspired by the university's 45-year history of impactful contributions and the accomplishments of its outstanding alumni, they felt equipped to pursue the dreams of strengthening the nation with greater zeal and resolute steps, thereby crafting new chapters in their lives.
By OUC Academic Affairs Department