To facilitate the advancement of science and engineering disciplines and programmes at the Open University of China (OUC) and enhance the establishment of the Science and Engineering Sub-committee, the inaugural plenary meeting of the Science and Engineering Sub-committee of the 3rd Academic Committee took place in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province on 19 May 2023.
The meeting was attended by thirteen members of the Sub-committee, including Liu Jianguo, secretary of the Party Committee of Harbin Open University (Harbin OU); Wang Xinghui, president of Guangxi Open University (Guangxi OU); Zhang Jixian, vice president of Zhejiang Open University (Zhejiang OU); Li Xiaoming, vice president of Henan Open University (Henan OU), and others. Some members joined the meeting online. The session was chaired by Shao Yunda, dean of the OUC Faculty of Science and Engineering.
The members engaged in discussions regarding the work plan for 2023 and the annual tasks of the Sub-committee. They conducted in-depth exchanges and deliberations with a focus on enhancing the functions of the Sub-committee, supporting research efforts, strengthening discipline construction, and promoting the organisational development of science and engineering disciplines within the open university system.
Liu Jianguo emphasized the importance of aligning the development and construction of the Academic Committee with the educational system pursued by open universities, which aims to provide lifelong learning opportunities for all. He also highlighted the need for the committee to serve as a trailblazer and leader in the "Internet Plus University" construction.
Drawing from the school-running and operational experience of Guangxi OU, Wang Xinghui urged the participating members to utilize the capabilities of the Sub-committee in supporting facility development and the creation of conducive learning environments. Additionally, he encouraged active exploration of future pathways for the advancement of open education.
Li Xiaoming was inspired by Henan OU's successful integration of open education, vocational education, and continuing education. Building on this, he proposed a school-running concept that emphasizes the mutual support between higher vocational education and the development of open universities. According to his concept, higher vocational education would contribute to the growth of open universities, while open universities would expand the opportunities for development in higher vocational education.
Based on the school-running circumstances at Zhejiang OU, Zhang Jixian put forward three suggestions. Firstly, he emphasized the need to enhance research on the construction of artisan resources and their role in nurturing skilled workers for the new era. Secondly, he proposed exploring the potential of a credit bank for vocational education in developing students' vocational skills within science and engineering programmes. Lastly, he highlighted the importance of conducting research and training to promote advancements in science and engineering teaching.
Other participating members, drawing on the school-running situations in their respective branches, engaged in fruitful discussions and provided valuable suggestions on various topics. These included the development of science and engineering disciplines, the role and positioning of the Academic Committees, enhancing research capacity, deepening teaching reforms, and implementing work deployments.
The attending members also visited Harbin OU and engaged in discussions about its experiences and the challenges it faces in its school-running process.
Written by Wang Xiaoran, photographed by Wang Qian, OUC