From 17 to 20 April, Zhou Tianming, vice president of the Open University of China (OUC), also known as the Seniors University of China (SUC), led a delegation on an investigative tour focused on elderly education.

The tour included visits to Guangdong Open University, Guangzhou Open University, and Shenzhen Open University. Additionally, the delegation attended the inauguration ceremonies for the SUC Guangdong Branch, Guangzhou Branch, and Shenzhen Branch.

On 18 April, the Guangdong Branch of SUC was inaugurated at Guangdong Open University. Vice President Zhou Tianming of the OUC (SUC), Chairman Wen Lanzi of the Association of Guangdong Seniors Universities and former vice president of the Guangdong Provincial Political Consultative Conference, President Liu Wenqing of Guangdong Open University, and relevant personnel attended the inauguration ceremony. The participants engaged in discussions on the high-quality development of open and elderly education.

Zhou Tianming congratulated the founding of the SUC Guangdong Branch. He noted that the SUC Guangdong Branch was established on the foundation of Guangdong Seniors University. He highlighted that with its geographical advantage, distinctive characteristics, and strong subject programmes, it has a promising development prospect. He expressed his hope that SUC Guangdong Branch would fully leverage its system and platform advantages and deepen cooperation with SUC in areas such as curriculum and specialty programme co-construction, teaching faculty training, scientific research sharing, outcomes demonstration co-organisation, platform service interconnection, and joint promotion of featured demonstrations, aiming to promote the high-quality development of education for the elderly and endeavour to do more for the elderly to learn, enjoy, and contribute.

Liu Wenqing stated that the inauguration of the SUC Guangdong Branch is a significant milestone for establishing an SUC presence in Guangdong. It also marks a new beginning for the development of elderly education in the region. The SUC Guangdong Branch will strive to promote the high-quality development of senior education in this new era and work diligently to enhance the well-being and happiness of the elderly.

The delegation, led by Zhou Tianming, visited Foshan Open University (also known as Foshan Community University) to evaluate the state of elderly education there. They reviewed a report on the university's efforts in elderly education and also toured the Shunde Shengping Community to observe their elderly education initiatives firsthand.

On the morning of 19 April, the delegation led by Zhou Tianming visited the Guangzhou Branch to conduct research and attend the inauguration ceremony of the SUC Guangzhou Branch. Qiu Weiqing, secretary of the Party Committee of Guangzhou Open University, Xiong Jun, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and president of Guangzhou Open University, along with relevant personnel, participated in the ceremony.

Zhou Tianming warmly congratulated the founding of the SUC Guangzhou Branch. He fully acknowledged the branch’s early developments in seniors' education, its distinctive characteristics, and achievements. He praised the significant role played by Guangzhou Open University in transforming Guangzhou into a learning city. He expressed his hope that the Guangzhou Branch would coordinate the construction and development of seniors' universities in the region, enhance the network of multilevel seniors' education, and expand schooling services to both urban and rural communities. He also encouraged active cooperation with various seniors' education institutions at all levels to broaden the supply of quality educational resources through diverse channels and forms.

Xiong Jun discussed the advancements in community and elderly education at Guangzhou Open University. Representing the Party Committee of Guangzhou Open University, Qiu Weiqing expressed gratitude for the support and guidance provided by the OUC headquarters. He stated that the establishment of the SUC Guangzhou Branch presents an opportunity for innovation in systems and mechanisms. He emphasized the university's commitment to leveraging the strengths of the OUC system to enhance the development of Guangzhou as a learning city and to promote high-quality senior education.

The delegation also visited the Guangzhou Silver Hair Economy Industrial Park. Liu Yuelun, former chairman of the Guangzhou Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and president of Guangzhou Elderly Cadre University, provided a detailed introduction to Guangzhou's latest initiatives and successes in establishing a "silver age think tank" and advancing the development of the silver hair economy.

On the afternoon of 19 April, the delegation visited Shenzhen to explore developments in elderly education and to attend the inauguration ceremony of the SUC Shenzhen Branch. During discussions, Zhou Tianming emphasised the need to enhance system linkages, combine offline and online education, and innovate teaching methods in elderly education. This would allow the elderly easy access to educational services right at their doorstep. The participants extensively shared views on the educational models for the elderly, resource development, platform construction, and service provision.

Zhong Zhihong, secretary of the Party Committee at Shenzhen Open University, expressed his appreciation for the guidance and support provided by the OUC headquarters. He noted that in recent years, Shenzhen Open University has undertaken valuable initiatives in seniors' education and has established a distinctive brand by operating with unique characteristics. Looking ahead, Shenzhen Open University plans to actively innovate educational modes for the elderly, focus on the development of human resources for this demographic, and practically implement the national university's development plan for seniors' education.

On 20 April, the delegation visited the Shenzhen Longgang branch school to review the open education initiatives and engaged in discussions with faculty and students.

Representatives from the Academic Affairs Department and the General Office of Party and Administration of the OUC (SUC) attended the research and inauguration ceremony.

 

By SUC