February 18-19, 2011 saw the convening of the OUC work conference for the first half of 2011, with the goals and work for 2011 clarified. They include the full implementation of the National Outline for Medium and Long-term Education Reform and Development (2010-2020) (the Outline) and the essence of the 2010 National Education Work Conference, and the active construction of the Open University of China (OUC). OUC leaders Yang Zhijian, Ruan Zhiyong, Yan Bing, Zhang Hui, Li Linshu, Zhang Shaogang and

middle-level cadres attended the conference.

OUC president Yang Zhijian indicated that the year 2011 was "a year of implementation" for the Outline all over the country. It was a crucial year for the OUC and offered a prominent strategic opportunity in the reform and development of open universities. He pointed out that many favorable new changes were before us in the year 2011. The proposal of building the OUC has been listed as a priority by the Ministry of Education in 2011, and after half a year's review and analysis, the pilot plan has been primarily accepted by experts and leaders. They also placed great hope on the construction of the OUC and put forward higher requirements, giving us new pressure to strive for our best. He emphasized that the priority of the university for 2011 was the construction of the OUC and that the basic working method was carrying out normal work and the building of the OUC at the same time. Based on the steady operation of normal work, positive efforts would be made towards the construction of the OUC and the construction mode would also be actively explored. In combination with teaching, scientific research and management of the OUC, full commitment was required to advance reform and innovation in accordance with the three major strategic goals and strategic tasks specified in the Outline. New ideas would be formed, new measures would be put forward and new breakthroughs would be made from a new starting point.

President Yang

President Yang brought up the following six major tasks for the year 2011. The first is to continuously improve the pilot plan for constructing the OUC and to make preparations for the founding of the OUC, which is the core for this year. The second is to promote the work on informationization in education. The third is to explore ways to innovate training methods of the OUC. The fourth is to summarize the OUC's 11th Five-Year Plan and formulate the 12th Five-Year Plan. The fifth is to make preparations for the upcoming party secretaries and presidents' conference of the open universities across the country. The sixth is to change the term of office among the middle-level leaders. He indicated that all departments must revise their annual work plans in accordance with this conference and the development strategy for the construction of the OUC. Specialized institutions will be designated to work on the key tasks, and implementation plans should be made within a short time for pilot practice.

He also raised five requirements for all the mid-level leaders. The first is to take the lead in putting the Outline into practice and substantially implement all the major tasks of the OUC. The second is to get united in cooperation for practical achievements. The third is to help to strengthen the publicity and image building work of the OUC. The fourth is to reduce red tape and normalize the fee collection procedure. The fifth is to study harder, observe the law and maintain discipline.

Vice secretary Zhang

Vice secretary Zhang Shaogang of the OUC Party Committee put forward "three musts" to all the Party cadres on behalf of the OUC Party Committee: They must keep forging ahead in work with ideological innovation; must promote the coordinated development of work with capacity improvement; and must increase the job satisfaction through the change of work style. In addition, he passed on requirements for work on further enhancement in clean governance education and strictness in internal management. He hoped all the Party cadres would unite and work hard together to create a good harmonious environment and make their due contributions to the construction of the OUC.

At the conference, officers in charge of the major work in each department made reports on the progress of the key projects in which they took the lead.

By Li Lingqun, the OUC