To implement the thematic education campaign on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and to promote the development of the Education discipline and programme, the Education Sub-committee (or Sub-committee) of the Open University of China’s (OUC) Academic Committee held its first plenary meeting and organised an investigation in Nanjing from 19-21 June, 2023.

Sun Zhaohui, secretary of the Party Committee of the Nanjing Open University (OU), attended the meeting, which was presided over by Chen Sheyu, director of the Sub-committee and president of Nanjing OU.

Sun introduced Nanjing OU’s professional experience in continuing degree-level and social education, and extended a warm welcome to the investigation conducted by the Sub-committee at the university.  

Professor Zhang Yichun from Nanjing Normal University proposed suggestions to reshape the cultivation of talent, restructure the curriculum of the programme, highlight individual learning and create an environment for open education in the context of its digital transformation. The stated aim is to better facilitate the development of open education.

The participants also discussed the digitalisation of education and the development of open education. Issues on the agenda included the building of digital universities, learner development models for open education, the reform of educational evaluations and examinations, as well as the digital literacy of teachers and their research abilities. Experts such as Professor Song Bo of Guangdong Open University, Professor Tang Wei of Yunnan Open University, Professor Zhang Dai of Jiangsu Open University, and Professor Yu Zuwei of Guangzhou Open University joined in on the discussions.

The Sub-committee also held a field trip to investigate the development of a resource bank for community education in Nanjing, followed by an exchange seminar at the community education centre on Dongshan Street in Jiangning District.

Written by Liu Jinglu, photographed by Feng Siqi, OUC