From 7th to 9th June, team members of the Economics Sub-committee of OUC Academic Committee visited Tianjin Open University for investigations, where they also held the first plenary meeting of the Economics Sub-committee in 2023.

The symposium, which was aimed to study and implement the guidelines of thematic education campaign on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, support digital construction of the OUC, and carry out the work plan of the OUC Academic Committee, was attended and addressed by  Zhang Zongwang, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and President of Tianjin Branch of the OUC, and Liu Zhigang, member of the Party Committee and vice president of Tianjin Branch. The meeting was presided over by Liu Zhifang, deputy director of the Economics Sub-committee of OUC Academic Committee and head of the Faculty of Economics and Management of the OUC.

Zhang Zongwang introduced the main work of Tianjin Branch and outlined specific methods to implement the strategy of achieving excellence and improving quality. He shared insights from three perspectives. Firstly, he emphasized the utmost importance of focusing on quality. Secondly, he highlighted the significance of innovation in shaping a brighter future. Thirdly, he stressed the need to enhance distinguished features and build upon existing strengths. Members in attendance acknowledged that Tianjin Branch has effectively implemented Party education policies, with a strong emphasis on constructing a high-level talent training system. The branch has made significant efforts to align with the economic and social development needs of Tianjin, forging an educational path that aligns with the university's direction. The accumulated "Tianjin Experiences" in education operations by the OUC Tianjin Branch hold significant importance for the future development of the national open education system.

Yang Dongmei, director of the Economics Sub-committee of the OUC Academic Committee and Head of the Academic Affairs Office of OUC Tianjin Branch, provided a summary of the main work undertaken by the Economics Sub-committee in 2022. During the meeting, the materials issued by the Secretariat of the Education Commission were studied, and plans were made for the second half of 2023. The members in attendance engaged in fruitful discussions, exchanging experiences, opinions, and suggestions based on their own research and work practices.

 
All members of the Economics Sub-committee embarked on a research tour of the Cross Border E-Commerce School at Tianjin OU. Ping Fan, the dean of the Cross Border E-commerce School, provided an overview of the college and highlighted the unique characteristics of the e-commerce major. The attending members unanimously agreed that the research meeting was fruitful. In addition to learning from the advanced experiences of the OUC Tianjin branch, they also deepened mutual understanding. They further clarified the future work direction and ideas of the Economics Sub-committee, which will effectively facilitate the development of related initiatives in the future.

By Zhao Chang, OUC