To summarise the educational experience of the “One College Student Per Village” Programme proposed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), exchange achievements, identify outstanding models to serve as examples, and promote the high-quality development of the programme, the Open University of China (OUC) launched a series of selection and submission activities for the MOE’s “One College Student Per Village” Programme.
These activities primarily included selecting advanced enrolment units and excellent teaching units, recognising outstanding research achievements, and evaluating theme essays and creative videos (from students and teachers) under the theme “Me and the ‘One College Student Per Village’ Programme”. The activities were organised and implemented by the School of Agroforestry and Medicine (aka Rural Revitalisation College) .
In April 2024, the series of selection and submission activities were officially launched, targeting at all teaching units, teachers, educational management staff, and students involved in the implementation of the “One College Student Per Village” Programme. Since then, each branch and college has responded actively, making careful organisation and broad mobilisation. A total of 34 branches and colleges submitted 585 materials to the headquarters for evaluation. Following the headquarters review, expert assessment, and public notice, the final selection results were announced, revealing 56 advanced enrolment units, 64 excellent teaching units, 46 outstanding research achievements, 84 outstanding thematic essays, and 43 outstanding creative videos.
Since the implementation of the MOE's “One College Student Per Village” Programme in 2004, the OUC has enrolled a total of 1.107 million students, cultivating a large number of local talented people who are able to remain in rural areas, apply their knowledge for the development of agriculture and rural areas, and do an excellent job for rural revitalisation. This has provided strong support in developing a high-quality talent team dedicated to advancing various undertakings in agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, and promoting social progress. It has achieved the programme's goal of nurturing rural revitalisation talented people who are able to take responsibilities in time of need, build capacities at the frontline, remain in rural areas, apply their knowledge, and realise development. The series of selection and submission activities have further built the consensus of consolidating unified commitment among branches, colleges, and study centres to promote the high-quality development of the project, and invigorated the educational system. They have showcased abundant achievements in education, teaching, and research tailored to local needs through positive exploration and innovation. They have identified numerous outstanding teachers and students. These teachers are hardworking, innovative, and committed to imparting knowledge and educating people by practising the spirit of educators in providing service to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, while the students are resilient, eager to learn, and have effectively applied their knowledge to transform their own lives and rural communities, pursuing dreams in the countryside.
The panel of experts all agreed that the series of selections were rigorously organised and standardised in their process, and that the outstanding cases were highly demonstrative, promotional and replicable. The award-winning units and individuals expressed their commitment to consistent efforts and innovation to support the sustainable development of the “One College Student Per Village” Programme. They will enhance the capabilities of open universities, contributing to the construction of a leading educational country and a learning society, contributing further to comprehensive rural revitalisation.
By Li Ruifu, OUC