Page 95 - Open and Distance Education In Asia : Good Practice From AAOU Members

Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) 75

• The Reconstruction of ODE After Firstly, the development of radio and
the Reform and Opening-up (1978- TV universities (RTVUs) were advocated
1998). After the reform and opening vigorously. Under Mr. Deng Xiaoping’s
up, economic development became advocacy, and with the powerful support
the central task. In order to realize of top-down design, top-down promotion,
the leapfrog development of higher and the whole state system, 28 RTVUs
education under the conditions of were launched on 6 February 1979,
China’s limited financial capacity, the with the first opening ceremony held in
Chinese government decided on the Beijing. Radio and TV satellite education
higher education development policy became a major part of the development
of “walking on two legs” to vigorously of distance education in China. By 1985,
develop adult education while stepping RTVUs in China had developed into a
up efforts to develop regular higher national distance education system
education. consisting of one central RTVU and 35
provincial RTVUs, with grassroots classes
covering both urban and rural China. A

The Open University of China (OUC)