The Ministry of Education (MOE) held the launch ceremony of the joint initiative of “Happy Learning and Respecting the Elderly” on 9 October, 2024, at the Open University of China (OUC, aka the Seniors University of China, SUC).
The theme of the event was “Adhering to an Elderly People-Centred Approach and Building an Age-Friendly Society”. At the meeting, the joint initiative of “Happy Learning and Respecting the Elderly" for the education system was launched, the first batch of "TCM Master Classes" of the SUC was released, and the evaluation results of the 2024 Elderly University Teaching Achievements Exhibition were announced. Student representatives from Changsha Social Work College read out a proposal for volunteer service.
Li Yingli, deputy director of the Department of Vocational and Adult Education at the MOE pointed out that this joint initiative aims to promote the collaboration between central and local governments, encouraging all regions to innovate in their approaches to enrich the content of the activities and highlight local characteristics, fostering a positive societal atmosphere of respect and care for the elderly. He also made three proposals. First, “happy learning” should be treated as a promise of companionship, enabling the elderly to find their own joy through rich learning contents and flexible learning experiences. Second, “respecting the elderly” should be treated as a consistent responsibility, providing high-quality learning resources and support services for the elderly so that they can enjoy happiness through learning. Third, the “joint initiative” should be treated as a bridge, leveraging the power of the education system, gathering resources from society, riding the wave of digitalisation to organise a series of service activities, and making more contributions to the construction of an age-friendly society.
Liao Ming, deputy director of the Aging Work Department at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, stated that the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Office of the National Working Commission on Aging will actively cooperate with the MOE and other departments to continuously strengthen policy support, promote the expansion of elderly education resources, and coordinate efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of elderly education. He stressed that the Aging Work Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs will enhance communication and collaboration with the MOE and other relevant departments, fully leveraging the positive role of the SUC. The goal is to promote the establishment of a coordinated development mechanism for elderly education, further clarify the objectives, main tasks, and support measures, shore up weaknesses, optimise public service provision for elderly education, and foster a major framework under which various parties get involved and multi-level authorities collaborate for the development of elderly education.
Wang Qiming, secretary of the Party Committee and president of the OUC (SUC), noted that the SUC will use the joint initiative of “Happy Learning and Respecting the Elderly” as a key approach, organising various cultural and sports events, and "Proactive Health" learning programmes by embracing diversity and adapting to local conditions. The university aims to extend its services to the elderly in communities and rural areas. The digital empowerment is to be enhanced by launching the first batch of “TCM Master Classes” on the National Education Platform for the Elderly, developing the "Little Leaf" intelligent learning companion, and creating elderly-friendly environments where learning resources are easy to read, listen to, and watch. The university is exploring multi-terminal, diverse, and ubiquitous elderly education models in an effort to meet the personalised and convenient high-quality learning needs of the elderly people.
Reprinted by OUC News Network from Xinhuanet