On December 17, 2012, Mr. Abhimanyu Singh, Director and Representative, UNESCO Beijing was invited to visit the OUC and give two speeches on “Open and Distance Learning: Global Trends and Prospects” and “The History and Development of Open and Distance Learning in India” at the OUC Open Forum. 

Mr. Singh giving a speech

Mr. Singh visiting the OUC library

Mr. Andrea Cairola, programme specialist, Division for Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace of the Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO and Ms. Zhao Tianzhou, Education Department assistant, accompanied Mr. Singh on his visit. Mr. Zhang Shuanggu, an expert from the “Research on Open University System and Mechanisms in India” project team of the OUC, and secretary general of the China Education Development Strategy Association, was invited to attend this activity. Mr. Zhang Hui, deputy secretary of the OUC Party Committee and leader of the “Research on Open University System and Mechanisms in India” project, and Mr. Zhang Shaogang, deputy secretary of the OUC Party Committee, also attended the speech. 

Mr. Singh analyzed the history, current situation and trends of global open and distance education and introduced the development of open and distance education in India. He used Indira Gandhi National Open University as an example to illustrate the goals, functions, educational characteristics and organizational structure of open universities in India. Mr. Zhang Hui said that Mr. Singh’s lectures provided valuable material for the OUC to carry out research on global trends in open and distance  education. India’s open universities provide a model for open universities around the world and give a point of reference for the construction of open universities in China. 

Mr. Zhang Shaogang met with Mr. Singh before the lecture. During their discussion, Mr. Zhang Shaogang gave a brief introduction to the OUC and its international cooperation vision and asked if Mr. Singh had any suggestions for the further development of the OUC and ongoing research on India’s open university system and mechanisms. Mr. Singh recognized the achievements of the OUC and said he would maintain contact with the OUC. Mr. Singh and the delegation also visited the OUC library and expressed their admiration for the OUC’s integration of information technology and distance education. 

Mr. Singh was appointed as Director and Representative, UNESCO Beijing in October 2008. From 2001 to 2006, he was in charge of the global coordination and monitoring of universal education from UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris. He has published a number of books on education. Between 1974 and 2000 he held a number of important positions in the Indian state and national departments, as well as the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs. 

By Chen Na, the OUC