The establishment of the Seniors University of China (SUC) is a pivotal move to meet public expectations and enact a proactive national strategy amid the population ageing trend, in line with the key directives of the 20th National Congress of the CPC.

This initiative represents a concrete effort by the educational sector to align with national strategies, contributing to the creation of a society and country where lifelong learning is pursued by all. Additionally, it signifies a significant breakthrough in the reform and advancement of education for older adults in China.

In 2023, the SUC mobilized the entire education system and harnessed society's resources to keep pace with digitalisation trends, steadfastly advancing various construction tasks. Let's reflect on how, over the past year, the OUC has been moving forward with determination and resilience.

Jan.

A national public service platform for senior education has been established, facilitating synchronous learning across various programmes, apps, and PC terminals. This platform hosts an impressive collection of 436,000 courses, amounting to a total of 4,089,000 minutes of course content. The SUC is prepared for its opening in the upcoming school year.

Feb.

Eight departments and ministries, including the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Office of China National Committee on Aging, the Organisation Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, and the China Association for Science and Technology, have jointly issued the Work Plan for Preparing for the Establishment of the SUC. This plan outlines the developmental direction for the SUC.

Mar.

The founding activity of the SUC was held successfully. Party secretary and minister of the MOE Huai Jinpeng attended the event and delivered a speech.

Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and the great TCM master Zhang Boli gave a lecture on "Traditional Chinese Medicine Aiding Elderly Health", opening the first class in the new semester for millions of the elderly nationwide.

Senior University of the MOE became the first branch school of the SUC.

Apr.

The SUC Reading Community was officially launched, offering 99 premium books for readers to enjoy online free of charge. In addition, the "Seniors Enjoy Happy Reading and Bathing in the Fragrance of Books" recitation teaching achievement exhibition was initiated. This event has garnered participation from over 500 senior universities and senior education institutions nationwide.

May

The large-scale public art education program "Art Master Lectures" was recently launched, featuring in-person sessions by 10 calligraphy and painting masters. This artistic feast was attended by 15.8 million students online, with over 520,000 continuing their studies through the programme's online platform.

"Pay tribute to Van Gogh, Monet" Oil Painting Course for Beginners piloted a new model of small-scale offline-led large-scale online senior education.

The eye health awareness campaign, "Ten Thousand People from Ten Cities Taking Action to Care for the Eye Health of Older Adults," was recently launched. Prominent ophthalmologists from local tertiary hospitals delivered lectures on eye health awareness and offered complimentary medical services. This event garnered extensive coverage from over 40 media agencies, including the People's Daily, Xinhua News, and the China News Agency.

Jun.

The exhibition titled "Write and Draw the World with Painting and Calligraphy," showcasing teaching achievements in painting and calligraphy, has been launched. Nearly 500 senior universities and senior education institutions from across the country have participated in this event.

The SUC has signed a cooperative agreement with Guizhou Senior Citizens University, aiming to bolster collaboration with both Guizhou Senior Citizens University and Guizhou Open University (OU). This partnership is dedicated to jointly advancing the high-quality development of senior education in Guizhou and opening a new chapter for elder education in the region.

The meeting to launch the establishment of national non-governmental senior universities was convened. The SUC and the China Association for Non-Government Education signed a cooperation agreement. Thirty non-governmental universities undertook pilot programmes for senior universities.

Jul.

The SUC visited 13 provinces and 2 municipalities directly governed by the Central Government, including Tianjin, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan, Hubei, and Sichuan. The purpose of their visit was to conduct an investigation and research, aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the realities of senior education administration in each region.

Aug.

The Resource Sharing Platform for Universities for Older Adults Affiliated to China’s State Organs, known as the Sangyujinhui Cloud Classroom and built by the OUC, has been operational for three years. It has emerged as an exemplary model of the "Internet+Senior Education" platform, integrating aspects of online teaching, teaching management, and digital reading.

Sept.

The chorus from the National Centre for Performance Arts graced the SUC, introducing the autumn semester's first lesson in aesthetics. Embracing the new semester, the SUC offered a blend of online and offline classes.

The delegation from the OUC recently visited The Open University of Japan for a comprehensive field trip. This visit facilitated in-depth discussions on providing high-quality learning support services for the elderly.

Oct.

A symposium focused on the construction of the SUC was recently organised in Beijing. Sun Yao, a member of the Party Committee and vice minister of the MOE, participated in this symposium and delivered an impactful speech. In his address, he outlined a strategic plan for deploying the SUC's national network. This plan emphasises leveraging the resources and capabilities of open universities as well as private colleges and universities to facilitate the project's success.

Senior University of National Radio and Television Administration became the second branch school of the SUC.

The "Health and Happiness Lectures for the Double Ninth Festival" were launched, featuring esteemed speakers Hu Dayi, Cao Hongxin, and Fu Guobing. These experts shared their extensive knowledge on health-related topics. The event was a resounding success, attracting an audience of over 1.5 million people who tuned in via video link.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Workshop, organised by the OUC, focused on enhancing digital competency among younger older adults. This initiative aimed to improve re-employment opportunities and overall well-being in the digital era for this demographic.

Nov.

The 2023 SUC "Seniors Enjoy Happy Reading and Bathing in the Fragrance of Books" recitation teaching achievement and offline practice activities were successfully held in Xiamen.

The OUC, Xiamen Open University, and Xiamen Senior-Citizen University have signed an agreement to jointly establish the Xiamen Branch of the SUC. This collaboration aims to enhance the quality of education for seniors, promoting its high-quality development.

The 2023 OUC Exhibition of Painting and Calligraphy Teaching Achievements, titled "Write and Draw the World with Painting and Calligraphy," was successfully held in Xinhua and Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. This event marked the beginning of a study tour focused on depicting the water-town villages of South China through painting and calligraphy, set against the backdrop of a clear blue sky and bright sunshine.

The 2023 National Lifelong Learning Activity Week kicked off with its opening ceremony in Chongqing. During this event, the National Senior Education Public Service Platform was unveiled. This platform's course resources are thoughtfully structured into five key areas: Virtue, Learning, Health, Happiness, and Accomplishment. Additionally, the national senior education teaching achievements exhibition has been recognised in the 2023 "Lifelong Learning Brand Programme" recommendation lists, as released by the China Adult Education Association.

Dec.

The OUC sent a delegation to Ireland and France for a collaborative dialogue with the Age-Friendly University Global Network (AFU Global Network) and the International Association of Universities of the Third Age (IAUTA). This visit aimed to exchange views on advancing senior education on an international scale.

The OUC organised a delegation consisting of representatives from over 10 mainstream media outlets of the CPC Central Committee, including the People's Daily, Guangming Daily, China Senior Citizen Newspaper, and China Education Television. This group was sent to Fujian and various grass-roots sites of the SUC for comprehensive interviews. Their mission was to foster a societal atmosphere of awareness, concern, and support for the construction and development of the SUC, thereby engaging the wider community in this initiative.

2023-2025 Action Plan for the SUC Construction Project was issued.

Beijing Language and Culture University branch school of the SUC was founded. It is the first SUC branch school established in higher education institutions directly affiliated to the MOE.

A delegation of Xiamen Senior-Citizen University and Xiamen Open University visited the SUC to discuss on promoting the branch pilot work at the provincial level.

In the new year, we will comprehensively implement the 2023-2025 Action Plan for the SUC Construction Project. Our focus will be on promoting openness and coordination, expanding resource sharing, extending teaching services, and striving to build a superior SUC.

By Seniors College, OUC