On 19 June, 2023, the Open University of China (OUC) hosted a grand inauguration ceremony for the Open Learning Centre Future Academy Programme.
Distinguished guests in attendance included Tao Hongjian, a high-ranking official (Grade I) from the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the Ministry of Education (MOE); Xie Hui, deputy director-general of the International Cooperation Bureau at the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council; Zhang Zongwang, president of Tianjin Open University; Wang Jianzhu, chief operating officer of the African Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship Programme; Abdek Idriss Youssouf from Djibouti Leadership and Innovation Centre; Kadidja Aden Mohamed and Abdoulkader Ibrahim Bourhan from Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority. Additionally, 29 students from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and other countries, who are participating in the first phase of the African Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre, graced the occasion. Representatives from relevant departments of the OUC were also present. The ceremony was chaired by Fan Xianrui, vice president of the OUC.
Fan Xianrui, vice president of the OUC
Fan Xianrui warmly welcomed all the esteemed guests and provided an overview of the latest advancements in the reform and development of the OUC. She emphasized that the OUC, with its esteemed faculty, comprehensive platforms, diverse courses, and abundant resources, is well-positioned to empower African youths in the realms of innovation and entrepreneurship. Fan expressed her hope that the launch of the Open Learning Centre Future Academy Programme would contribute significantly to international educational exchanges and cooperation in this new era. Furthermore, she underscored the programme's role in further enhancing the OUC's internationalization capabilities and its overall global influence as an open university.
Tao Hongjian, director general level officer (Grade I) of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the MOE
During his speech, Tao Hongjian highlighted that the launch of the Open Learning Centre Future Academy Programme is a concrete step towards implementing the guiding principles of the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. This initiative opens up new avenues for international educational cooperation and exchanges. Tao emphasized the open university's distinct advantages in digital education and lifelong learning, which would greatly contribute to the high-quality development of the Open Learning Centre Future Academy Programme. He expressed his hopes for positive explorations in establishing a flexible development mechanism for the programme, fostering joint discussions, building collaborations, and sharing high-quality educational resources. Ultimately, the goal is to provide African learners with top-tier international education and services.
President Zhang Zongwang of Tianjin Open University
Zhang Zongwang affirmed Tianjin Open University's proactive involvement in the Open Learning Centre Future Academy Programme. He expressed their commitment to strategically designing the curriculum system, talent development schemes, and practical training initiatives related to innovation and entrepreneurship. Their key areas of focus will include cross-border e-commerce brand expansion and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship education. Furthermore, Zhang emphasized their dedication to offering a wider range of high-quality courses and supply chain systems for African youths. Through these efforts, they aim to contribute to local talent development and facilitate international exchanges while promoting the sharing of valuable educational resources.
Wang Jianzhu presented an introduction to the background and progress of the African Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship Programme. Ge Junyi, vice dean of Faculty of Economics and Management at the OUC, provided an overview of the university's innovation and entrepreneurship education and outlined the support envisioned for the development of the Open Learning Centre Future Academy Programme. Yuan Yaxing, chairman of the OUC Online Education & Technology Co., Ltd., highlighted the significant achievements of the university's digital transformation and elaborated on the considerations for leveraging digital empowerment in the development of the Open Learning Centre Future Academy Programme.
The students from the African Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre also had the opportunity to visit the Exhibition Hall of the OUC's "Internet Plus" University.
Written by Cao Xiaoyan and Photographed by Zhuge Huanyu, OUC