The Science and Engineering sub-committee of the Third Academic Committee of the Open University of China (OUC) and the OUC Lifelong Education Research Institution jointly held a training session on integrated teaching and research. Professor emeritus Guo Xiaoxia was invited to deliver the training, with about 30 teachers from the Faculty of Science and Engineering and Lifelong Education Research Institute attending.

Prof. Guo mainly focuses on research in the “1+X” certification system (degree education combined with professional certification), and she has frequently been invited to deliver teacher training in higher vocational colleges. In the session, she elaborated on the background, content and significance of the pilot “1+X” certification programme, and explored ways of integrating degree diplomas with graded vocational and skills certificates, using the example of certification for evaluating the needs of elder-care services. The session also covered how to write plans for training professionals and the development of loose-leaf textbooks.

Following the training, discussions took place between Prof. Guo and the attendees, who all saw the “1+X” certification system as valuable for teaching reforms at the OUC, where most students are working adults.

Written by Wang Zhuo; photo by Wang Qian