On 25 February 2023, the Open University of China (OUC) held a final examination for spring term at a testing site in Xiangyang, Hubei Province, when a student waiting to enter the room suddenly collapsed and fell into a coma. Thanks to the swift response of teachers and students, the life of the student was saved.

The incident took place at 11:51 as participants were waiting for the start of an exam, and one of the students fell unconscious. Students and teachers in the vicinity immediately jumped into action, alerting the school doctor and calling an ambulance. The doctors diagnosed the patient as suffering from an intracranial hemorrhage and the student underwent immediate craniotomy, a surgical procedure to open the skull. After a five-hour operation, it was deemed a success and the life of the student was saved. According to one doctor, the speed at which the patient was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery played an essential role in saving his life.

The incident, which almost ended in tragedy, reflects the responsibilities of those working and studying at the OUC as they perform their duties with diligence and compassion. The successful running of a university involves much more than education but also humanistic care, which is a common goal promoted by the OUC for all of its faculty and students.

By Wang Haiyang, Pan Jiaoping, OUC