On 18 Dec. 2022, the finals of the 1st English Challenge for College Students of the Open University of China (OUC) concluded. Fan Xianrui, member of the CPC Party Committee of the OUC, and OUC vice president, delivered a speech, and Party secretary of Xi’an Open University Li Bin attended.

Fan Xianrui pointed out that in this critical period of studying and implementing the guidance of the 20th National Congress and promoting the 14th “Five-Year” Plan of the OUC, the Challenge is particularly relevant. She urged foreign-language learners, first, to become able to tell China's story to the world; second, to become fluent in information technology; and third, to work toward promoting the spread of lifelong learning. Her hope was that it would be a means by which the OUC would continue to enhance its use of IT and its promotion of lifelong learning.

Senior experts from universities such as the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) and Tsinghua University were finals judges. Professor Huang Zhenhua, head of the judging panel and former vice president of UIBE, offered commentary, congratulating the OUC and the participating teachers and students on the competition, pointing out that the younger generation is the backbone of the new era, and should embrace its ideals, skills and responsibilities.

After fierce competition, Zhang Yuanhong of the Shenzhen branch and three other students came first in the English-major and non-English-major groups at the undergraduate and junior-college levels. Jin Jiaying of the Ningbo branch and other students came second and third in their respective groups, and eight students, including Wang Ling from the Beijing branch, were named Most Diligent. 10 students, including Lin Jing from the Fujian branch, were named Most Inspirational, and four students, including Sun Bowen from the Xi'an branch, won the Best Demeanor award. Four students, including Zhu Quji from the Beijing branch, won the Best Creativity award, and twelve branches, including the Hunan branch, were named Best Organisation.

In implementing the guidance of the 20th CPC National Congress, the OUC aims to put into practice the concept of "learner-centred" teaching, promote learning through competition, and cultivate virtue through education. Relying on IT-based commentary on writing and speaking, the competition motivates interest in self-guided learning, enhances understanding of “smart” teaching methodology, and promotes implementation of the national strategy for the use of IT in education.

By OUC News Network