On February 27, 2014, the Academic Committee of the Open University of China (OUC) invited Wang Daquan, Deputy Director of the Legislative Office of the Ministry of Education (MOE), to interpret the “Regulations for the Academic Committees of Institutions of Higher Learning (hereafter referred to as “the Regulations”)” for the faculty of the OUC.

Issued by the MOE, the Regulations were put into effect on March 1, 2014. According to the Higher Education Law, the academic committee of an Institution of higher learning is a legal academic organization, as well as an important body within the inter-college management structure. The Regulations aim to promote the standardization of institutions of higher learning and the development of academic committees, to perfect inter-college management structures, and to ensure that academic committees play an effective role in academic affairs such as teaching and scientific research. 

Beginning with the current situation and existing problems in academic committees of institutions of higher learning, Wang Daquan conducted a deep analysis of the significance, objectives, principles and main contents of the Regulations.

The faculty interacted with Wang Daquan about the functions of the academic committee, such as reviewing, evaluation, consultation and ruling on academic disputes; the rules of academic committees and universities; the relationship between the academic committee and all of the functional departments of the university; and how to inspire the committee members. The participants believe that thorough learning of the regulations will have a positive effect on the drafting of “The Regulations of the Academic Committee of the OUC”. These will conform to the characteristics and development of the university and reference the existing regulations. They will promote institutional construction and the development of academic activities at the university.   

By Lu Feng, the OUC