The Office of the Steering Committee of the Ministry of Education for Education and Instruction in Vocational Education (hereinafter referred to as “the office”) held a workshop on “Vocational Higher Education Reform and the Construction of Pilot Schemes in Open Universities” in Wuhan from June 20-21, 2013. The workshop was attended
by nearly 80 leaders from higher vocational colleges (either founded by or under the general management of provincial RTVUs) and relevant provincial RTVUs (open universities). Leaders included Yan Bing, director of the office and vice president of the Open University of China (OUC); Tian Wenjiang, deputy director of Wuhan Education Bureau; Liao Shiping, party secretary of Wuhan Vocational College of Software and Engineering (Wuhan RTVU) Party Committee; and Ma Feng, president of the college.
Workshop on “Vocational Higher Education Reform and the Construction of Pilot Schemes in Open Universities” held in Wuhan
Delegates visit Wuhan Vocational College of Software and Engineering
It is estimated that 21 provincial RTVUs have established higher vocational colleges or have control over local higher vocational colleges. The leaders of these 21 RTVUs held in-depth discussions on the following issues: the experience derived from higher vocational education reform that can be used for the construction of pilot schemes and the cultivation of innovative talent at open universities; the educational characteristics of higher vocational colleges and their unique role in the reform process; and how to make full use of higher vocational education resources to promote the development of open universities in the areas of curriculum, majors, and the construction of a teaching practice system.
Yan Bing introduced the OUC’s progress in the development of pilot schemes, explained the motives, targets and problems faced during its strategic transformation, reviewed the development course of RTVUs from regular college education to higher vocational education, and analyzed the issues facing higher vocational education reform and the construction of pilot schemes in open universities.
According to Yan Bing, these are issues of great concern. The workshop seeks to promote communication and encourage discussion. The answers to many of the current issues lie in practical experience. He commeneted that higher vocational education provides valuable experience for pilot scheme construction in the areas of teaching development and reform, educational mechanisms, and educational theory. It is therefore necessary to pay attention to the latest developments and achievements of higher vocational education reform. The higher vocational colleges mentioned above have accumulate abundant education resources, which should be used effectively to stimulate the further development of the open universities. As a specific educational phenomenon in the development course of RTVUs, the existence of a “dual model” is inevitable. Therefore, against the backdrop of overall education reform in our country, the development of this model should be carefully studied and appropriate measures should be taken.
Wang Guochuan, deputy director of the office, introduced the office’s working arrangements. Liu Chen, OUC assistant president and director of the OUC press, introduced the OUC Publishing & Media Group, the development of vocational education resources, and the selection and production of teaching materials for higher vocational education.
The workshop delegates also visited the “Exhibition on the Outcome of Higher Vocational Education Reform and the Construction of Pilot Schemes across open universities” and Wuhan Vocational College of Software and Engineering.
The workshop was hosted by Wuhan Vocational College of Software and Engineering (Wuhan RTVU).
By He Jing, the OUC
