On September 11, 2013, the work initiation conferenced for the modification of the Advanced Vocational Majors Catalogue (hereafter referred to as “the Catalogue”) was held at the OUC in Beijing.
Ge Daokai, director of the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Department of Vocational and Adult Education attended the conference and delivered a speech. Ge Daokai emphasized the four principles of the modification of the Catalogue: active adaption, service-oriented development; innovation based on heritage and flexible setup; scientific standards and clear characteristics; and cohesion and systematic construction. He also pointed out that there are four specific relationships that have to be dealt with before the principles can be followed, specifically the relationships between width and narrowness, reality and future, science and standards, and stability and flexibility.
Ge Daokai put forward four work requirements for the modification of the Catalogue. Firstly, we must attach great importance to this project and speed up implementation. The modification of the Catalogue has been a major focus for the MOE this year, as well as a major priority of every industry guiding committee. We should fully recognize the importance of the task at hand, and strengthen organization and leadership to ensure the modification of the Catalogue can be carried out effectively. Secondly, we should carry out in-depth research and create a scientific layout. Solid research is the basis for the modification of the Catalogue, which includes international literature review, research on different industries and different regions of China. The establishment of majors should consider large, medium, small and micro enterprises. Thirdly, we should work closely together. Some modification to the Catalogue may affect multiple industries. We should consider the requirements of different industries and on this basis conduct joint research on the establishment of new majors. Lastly, we should ensure thorough coordination. The Comprehensive Group shall be in charge of coordination, allocating assignments to different groups on a scientific basis. Every industry guiding committee should also support the work of the Comprehensive Group.
Yan Bing, leader of the Comprehensive Group for the Modification of the Catalogue and vice president of OUC, introduced the work procedure and schedule. The process covers a number of stages, including top-level design, research, modification, optimization, submission and approval. The completion date for the modification is currently set for June 2014. Li Zhihong, deputy leader of the Comprehensive Group for the Modification of the Catalogue, gave additional information on the requirements for the modification of the Catalogue.
More than 130 people attended the conference, including experts from the Comprehensive Group for the Modification of the Catalogue; the chairmen and secretary-general of the Vocational Education Guiding Committee for Various Industries; the persons in charge of the modification of the Catalogue; the persons in charge of the MOE Department of Vocational and Adult Education; the Division of Teaching and Teaching Materials, the Division of Rural Education; the Division of Teaching and Production Cooperation; and the staff from the office of the Comprehensive Group for the Modification of the Catalogue. The meeting was hosted by Ruan Zhiyong, deputy leader of the Comprehensive Group for the Modification of the Catalogue, and former vice president of the OUC.
By Chen Xiu, the OUC