To implement the guiding principles of the National Conference on Education and support the construction of a society and country of learning where lifelong learning is pursued by all, the Seniors University of China (SUC) held the "Flourishing Silver Years, A Tribute to the New Era" National Senior Education Achievements Exhibition at the Guangdong Arts Theatre on 2 December 2024.
The event brought together Xu Mingjun, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the Open University of China (OUC, aka SUC); Liu Chen, vice president of the China Adult Education Association; Ma Shu, deputy secretary-general of the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government, and leaders from relevant organisations.
Xu Mingjun highlighted that the National Senior Education Achievements Exhibition fully showcases the positive, uplifting spirit of elderly individuals in the new era, who pursue learning, happiness, and accomplishment in their later years. Looking ahead, the SUC will fully leverage its systemic and institutional advantages, adhered to the principles of system collaboration, joint construction, and shared development. The aim is to foster an educational service system that exemplifies, leads, and radiates innovation in senior education, thereby expanding the collective impact on senior education and contributing significantly to the advancement of a ubiquitous and accessible lifelong education system, as well as the construction of a leading country in education.
Xiong Jun, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and president of Guangzhou Open University (OU) introduced the university's proactive exploration in the field of elderly education. He pledged to continue to gather efforts from all parties, keep on expanding the provision of high-quality resources for elderly education, and make new and greater contributions to building an age-friendly society characterised by joint collaboration, governance, and shared benefits.
The exhibition meticulously crafted four thematic chapters: "Cultural Nurturing in the Golden Years, Blooming like Flowers in Life", "Building Dreams in the Silver Age, Resounding in the Bay Area", "Endless Learning, Adorning the Skies with Radiance", and "Pooling Wisdom and Strength, Empowering the Silver-Haired". Award-winning works were showcased on-site, and the theatre lobby exhibited the winning photography entries. Senior learners demonstrated the educational achievements of the SUC with fervent enthusiasm.
Organised by the SUC and its Guangzhou Branch, the exhibition was a blend of online and offline events. The event attracted more than 1,200 on-site attendees and reached 2 million viewers online through platforms such as the OUC’s WeChat official account and the SUC’s WeChat channel.
The event also honoured the 2024 National Senior Education Achievement Award winners in choir, instrumental music, and photography categories with certificates.
The National Senior Education Achievements Exhibition is a key brand activity for the SUC, embodying its educational philosophy of "Virtue, Learning, Health, Happiness and Accomplishment". Since its inception in 2021, the event has been successfully held four times, impacting over 38 million people. In 2024, the exhibition featured six categories of educational achievements: choir, dance, instrumental music, calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, and photography. A total of 3,001 works recommended by 1,046 elderly education institutions nationwide competed, with 615 works receiving awards at the exhibition.
Contributed by SUC
Photos by Guangzhou Open University