Established in 1985, the Research Institute of Open and Distance Education of the Open University of China (OUC) is China's oldest research institution on distance education. Since 2001, it has assumed the additional function as the Research Division of OUC.

Geared towards the interests of all OU students, the Institute actively pools the wisdom and talent of the experts and the staff members of OUs.  Over the past 25 years, it has engaged in research and achieved numerous results in the theory and practice in such fields as distance education, open education, adult education, and the application of educational technology.