Beijing, 27 May 2025 — The Open University of China (OUC) held a briefing for the Second New Business Innovation Competition on 27 May online and onsite. The competition aims to implement the arrangements outlined in the 2024-2035 Master Plan on Building China into a Leading Country in Education, support the development of a digital university, continuously enhance students' core competencies, and strengthen their innovation and entrepreneurship capabilities.
LIU Xuanxuan, Vice President of OUC, attended the event and delivered a speech, together with nearly 500 participants, including Zhao Tingting, Deputy Dean of the Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development, representatives from the School of Economics and Management at headquarters, other relevant departments, and over 40 branches (schools). The event was hosted by LIU Zhifang, Dean of the School of Economics and Management.
Vice President LIU highlighted that in recent years, China has placed a high priority on innovation and entrepreneurship, implementing a series of major strategic initiatives. The Ministry of Education has focused on building the China International College Students' Innovation Competition as a key driver in advancing the educational reforms related to innovation and entrepreneurship in colleges and universities. She stated that OUC has strategically emphasised on fostering these skills in its students. For five consecutive years, OUC keeps on encouraging students and teachers to participate in the China International College Students' Innovation Competition, successfully integrating innovation and entrepreneurship education with disciplinary education, and achieving outstanding results.
To successfully host the Second New Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, LIU raised three key requirements. Firstly, we should foster teaching through competition, exploring innovative approaches to open education. The university should position the development of New Business construction as a key driver for the digital-intelligent transformation of management education, and facilitate a paradigm transformation for talent cultivation. Secondly, we should promote learning through competition. It is aimed to inspire students' creativity, temper their willpower, broaden their horizons, and enhance their wisdom and capabilities through innovation and entrepreneurship. Lastly, we should drive innovation by encouraging the transformation of competition results. By consolidating the strength of the OUC system and leveraging the distinctive advantages of its working adult learners, continuous support will be provided for the development of Open University students in innovation and entrepreneurship.
LIU Dan, Director of the Digital Economic Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Research Centre at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications made a report titled "Project Breeding and Business Plan Optimisation". She highlighted the situation of previous China International College Students' Innovation Competitions, the changes in the rules of this competition, and the methods and precautions for optimising business plans. This provided valuable guidance for the participating teachers and students in writing business plans for the innovation competition.
The event also addressed key questions raised by teachers and students regarding the implementation plan of the competition and outlined the necessary materials.
Participants engaged in detailed discussions with experts on specific matters, such as determining topics and establishing participating teams. Everyone acknowledged that this meeting has served as crucial support for hosting the Second New Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. Looking ahead, OUC will develop the New Business Innovation Competition into a flagship programme, driving substantive reforms in innovation and entrepreneurship education to enhance students' innovative mindset, awareness, and capabilities.
Contributed by School of Economics and Management