Recently, the results of the selection of outstanding alumni of the Open University of China (OUC) were announced, recognising 328 alumni from various industries across the country.
These individuals, with accomplishments as their foundation and technology as their wings, demonstrate resilience, confidence, and a pragmatic, enterprising spirit, writing a unique chapter of progress of the OUC people. From today on, the stories of some alumni will be selected for sharing. By reviewing their outstanding deeds and listening to their life insights, the OUC’s achievements in talent development over the last 45 years are highlighted.
Recently, Mao Yunlan, a graduate of the Public Service Management (for Educational Management) major at Aba Open University (OU) and secretary of the Party Branch and principal of Wenchuan Special Education School in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, was awarded the honourary title of "National Model Individual for Ethnic Unity and Progress" for her outstanding performance in promoting ethnic unity. This honour highly recognises her personal efforts and contributions. In recent years, she has also been honoured with titles such as "Advanced Teacher in Earthquake Relief in Sichuan Province," “Qualified Advanced Worker in Sichuan Province,” "Excellent Teacher in Sichuan Province," "Good Samaritan of Sichuan," and "Outstanding Party Affairs Worker in Sichuan Province."
Mao Yunlan achieved excellent academic results during her school years and wrote her own glorious chapter with her diligence. After graduation, she remained true to her original intention at work and pressed forward with determination in her career. With her sincere love, she lifted the hopes of countless "angels with broken wings" and brightened the lives of children with special needs in the ethnic minority areas. Under her leadership, six hearing-impaired students from the school were selected for the Sichuan Provincial Disabled People's Art Troupe and sports training teams, and six other hearing-impaired students were admitted to universities for further study. Her students have won a total of 29 medals in the Sichuan Province Special Olympics. Moreover, the teachers and students of the school have visited hundreds of universities and appeared on the stage of China Central Television (CCTV). As a National Model Individual for Ethnic Unity and Progress, Mao Yunlan’s advanced deeds fully demonstrate the features of ethnic unity and progress in the new era and play a positive role in forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.
Exclusive Interview by Sichuan Observation
Connecting with Mao Yunlan, a National Model Individual for Ethnic Unity and Progress: Helping Children with Special Needs Thrive on Campus
On 27 September 2024, the National Conference on Commending Models for Ethnic Unity and Progress was held in Beijing. Mao Yunlan, the Party branch secretary and principal of Wenchuan Special Education School in Aba Prefecture, as an individual to be commended, sat at the scene in traditional Qiang ethnic clothing and listened to the important speech of General Secretary Xi Jinping. Immediately after the conference, a reporter from Sichuan Observation connected with Mao Yunlan for an interview.
“It filled me with excitement and immense pride to attend the National Conference on Commending Models for Ethnic Unity and Progress, especially after listening to the important speech of General Secretary Xi Jinping, I was greatly inspired. I will cherish this honour even more,” said Mao Yunlan. She emphasised that this honour embodies the attention of leaders, the recognition of society, the support of colleagues, the trust of parents, and the dependence of students. As a special education worker, she believes that this honour is both recognition and motivation. She is committed to promoting the spirit of ethnic unity and the spirit of educators, forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and helping special-needs children thrive on campus with love. “We bring together children from Han, Tibetan, Qiang, Hui, and other ethnic groups to play and study together, ensuring that every child can receive appropriate education and that every family with special needs can get high-quality services.”
Mao Yunlan has devoted 34 years to frontline education in the Qiang mountain area, constantly striving for the undertakings of ethnic unity and progress as well as the education cause. In July 1990, at the age of 18, Mao Yunlan, a Qiang girl from Wenchuan, graduated from Weizhou Ethnic Normal School and became a rural teacher. For over a decade, she quietly dedicated her love and youth to the mountains and to the children. During her visits to students’ families, she witnessed the challenges faced by special-needs children with disabilities in studying in regular classes. The question of how to open the doors of schools for these children in ethnic minority areas and enable them to have equal educational opportunities has become an unshakable concern in her heart.
In September 2009, Wenchuan Special Education School, the first comprehensive special education school in Aba Prefecture, was established, and Mao Yunlan was appointed as its principal. Under her leadership, 30 teachers who had transferred from general education to special education, overcame numerous challenges such as a lack of teaching resources, limited professional teaching staff, and repeated rejections in student enrolment. Together, they started the journey of special education in Wenchuan.
Today, the number of students at the school has increased from 48 to 176, and the number of professional teachers has increased from 30 to 49, six ordinary classrooms have been transformed into 26 multifunctional classrooms, and the school has developed from only offering primary education to covering junior high school and vocational high school education. Teachers and students of Tibetan, Qiang, Hui, Han and other ethnic groups, work hand in hand here to build their dreams together. Under Mao Yunlan’s leadership, Wenchuan Special Education School has grown from scratch, from small to large, and from weak to strong, creating a new highland for the development of special education in ethnic minority areas. A brilliant chapter has been written for "integrating great love into education" in forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.
Under Mao Yunlan's influence, Wenchuan Special Education School has changed from a "small family" into a "big family" full of warmth, mutual assistance, love, and ethnic unity. The "angels with broken wings" from all ethnic groups here grow up healthily towards the sun, and the sense of community for the Chinese nation continues to flourish and is passed down from generation to generation.
By Sichuan OU