The 2009 International Forum on Open and Distance Education co-sponsored by the Open University of China (formerly the China Central Radio & TV University) and the China Distance Education Society was formally opened at the Beijing Minzu Hotel on October 16. It was an important part of the celebration for the 30th Anniversary of OUC. The theme for the forum was "Challenges and Opportunities for ODL in Lifelong Learning in a Global Financial and Economic Crisis". During the two-day forum from 16th to 17th,
On 7th May, 2009, the Open University of China (OUC) and the Open University of Japan (OUJ) signed an agreement on distance education. The process of the signing ceremony was transmitted to provincial open universities via two-way video conferencing systems. Professor Ge Daokai, President of OUC, and Professor Hiromitsu Ishi, President of OUJ signed the agreement on behalf of each side.