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.

Yao Pengshen enrolled in the Business Administration junior college programme at Haining College of Zhejiang Open University (formerly known as Zhejiang Radio and Television University) in the autumn of 2004.

Currently, he is the chairman of Haining Schmann Electric Automation Co., Ltd. He has been honoured with titles such as Zhejiang Craftsman, Master of Skills in Zhejiang, Advanced Individual among Young Entrepreneurs in Zhejiang, and Model Craftsman of the Times. He has also been elected as a Party delegate in Jiaxing City and Haining City, a member of the Haining City Political Consultative Conference, and a part-time deputy secretary of the Haining Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League.

Yao Pengshen doesn't have an enviable educational background, nor does he come from a wealthy family, and he hasn't had a smooth-sailing journey full of good luck. He has successfully transformed from an ordinary vocational school graduate and an open-university junior college student into an entrepreneur and a pacesetter in electrical technology. All of this stems from his understanding and practice of the "craftsman spirit". On the path of pursuing technology, he has not only left the footprints of forging ahead bravely but also demonstrated a down-to-earth, excellence-seeking, and tireless attitude.

From junior technician to master craftsman

Starting the Entrepreneurial Journey with Innovation-Led Initiatives

In 1998, the Engineering Department of Haining Hotel became the starting point of Yao Pengshen's career. Over the following eight years, he rooted himself at the grassroots level, kept on learning, and accumulated valuable experience. In 2003, the cooling system of the kitchen cold storage frequently broke down. Prolonged repairs not only affected food storage but also might lead to food safety problems. Yao Pengshen volunteered to take on the task of renovating the cold storage. He thoroughly studied the working principle of the cold storage and, in combination with the habits of employees in retrieving and storing items, innovatively designed a control system with a self-diagnosis function, i.e., the automatic control box for cold storage. This achievement was highly praised by his superiors and colleagues, and Yao Pengshen began to stand out.

However, Yao Pengshen was not satisfied with being just a technical employee who carried out tasks. He required himself to start from the top-level design, deeply analyse problems, and explore the essence. Thus, he embarked on the entrepreneurial journey --- in 2010, he founded Schmann Electric Automation Co., Ltd. in a place of less than 20 square meters.

During his self-improvement process, he majored in Business Administration at the OUC, which made him increasingly realise that in order to flexibly apply knowledge in one field, it is essential to use knowledge from other disciplines as support.

From Personal Growth to Establishing a Studio

Paving the Way to Success through Selfless Dedication

In 2012, Yao Pengshen led the core members of the company to establish a studio, which was dedicated to researching new technologies and actively helping small and micro-enterprises eliminate production safety hazards. The "Intelligent Industrial Control System Project" he led in research and development won the gold medal in the Haining Youth Entrepreneurship Competition because it significantly improved production safety.

In 2017, Yao Pengshen's team was rated as a Master Craftsman Studio in Jiaxing City, which gave him more motivation. Up to now, Yao Pengshen has one invention patent and twelve computer software copyrights.

During the operation of the studio, Yao Pengshen also paired with 29 apprentices, teaching more than 1,000 future technicians new concepts and skills, spreading his influence to a broader area.

In 2020, Yao Pengshen's team was rated as a provincial-level Master Craftsman Studio in Zhejiang Province. This is not only the best summary of his more than twenty-year struggle but also a high recognition of his professional skills and leadership.

Under his leadership, the studio has fully played its "passing on, helping, and leading" roles and has so far trained five senior technicians, three engineers, and thirteen technicians. Technical innovation has always been Yao Pengshen's pursuit.

From Craftsmanship Skills to Giving Back to Society

Walking on the Road to Common Prosperity with the Entrepreneurial Spirit

As one of the first batch of "experts in the in-depth integration of industrialisation and informatisation" in Jiaxing City, he is committed to the in-depth integration of industrialisation and informatisation. As a part-time lecturer in Electrical Automation at Jiaxing Technician Institute and Haining Technician College, Yao Pengshen profoundly interprets the connotation of the "craftsman spirit" to students on the podium.

Giving back to society is the mission that Yao Pengshen has given himself in this era. Giving back to society and showing love: he donates his bonuses to public welfare funds to assist troubled teenagers; he cares about vulnerable groups in society and gives care within his ability; he is a leader in public welfare activities and has founded the Haining Youth Growth Club; he has also joined hands with caring people in society to establish the Haifeng Charity Education Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting excellent students...

Yao Pengshen said that his ambition is not just to become a successful businessman. In his view, the entrepreneurial spirit includes not only the tireless craftsman spirit but also the spirit of dedication to society.

By OUC News Network