The Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development at the Open University of China (OUC) recently organised a six-day training programme.
This initiative was designed to enhance the teaching skills of 95 young instructors within the OUC system. Conducted in Changsha from 26th November to 1st December 2023, the programme's primary objective was to deeply study and implement key educational directives from General Secretary Xi Jinping, whilst also promoting the spirit of educators. Additionally, the training aimed to accelerate the development of a high-quality, young, and dynamic teaching backbone, capable of adapting to the evolving landscape of the OUC.
The opening ceremony saw the attendance of distinguished guests including Wu Min, a member of the Party Committee and vice president of Hunan Open University (OU); Tian Suxia, deputy director of the Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development at the OUC; Peng Yi, dean of the Training School at Hunan OU; and Wang Lu, director of the Institute of Educational Technology at Capital Normal University. The OUC Training Centre, in partnership with Hunan OU, organised the event.
The training programme adopted a multifaceted format, combining "theoretical teaching, case study, practical workshop, and results convergence," enriched by on-site diagnostics, case analyses, problem-solving sessions, and various other instructional methods. Spanning six days, the programme featured lectures on nine topics, delivered by esteemed lecturers from top-tier Chinese higher education institutions, national education science research bodies, and the OUC system. These experts distilled their extensive teaching expertise, practical experience, and research findings into their presentations, fostering an environment of earnest learning and providing detailed, thoughtful guidance.
The participants were actively engaged in the experts' lectures, classroom interactions, and group practice workshops. The training was designed to provide each teacher with valuable insights and perspectives tailored to their specific roles. At the closing ceremony, four teachers – Hu Lanxi and Yuan Yiping from the headquarters, Zhu Disi from the Guangzhou Branch, and Xie Lin from the Hunan Branch – spoke on behalf of all attendees. They commended the training programme for its comprehensive content, deep insights, and practical benefits, describing it as a veritable feast of knowledge.
The participants expressed their commitment to using this training as a new starting point, approaching their work with a practical mindset and assimilating the knowledge imparted by the experts. They vowed to stay dedicated to their missions, consistently enhancing their skills, and contributing significantly to the growth and development of open universities.
A Glance at the Training
After the training, all participating teachers were given the chance to tour the exhibition that displayed the school-operating achievements at Hunan OU. These visits deepened their dedication to their roles as young educators in the open universities of the new era.
Written by Yu Jing, Dong Sujuan; photographed by Guan Lihua, Zhao Beibei