The Open University of China (OUC) and the Financial Management Department of the National Government Offices Administration of China recently held a symposium to discuss plans for a resource sharing platform, aiming to promote enhancement of such platforms for universities for older adults affiliated to China’s state organs.

Personnel from the Social Security Department of the Financial Management Department of the National Government Offices Administration gave an overview of the construction of the platform, its scope of service, and its future. Personnel from the OUC University for Older Adults gave details about construction of the principal modules, online courses, numbers of visits, digital resources, cyber security arrangements and student feedback etc.

According to Liu Chen, deputy secretary of the OUC Party Committee, in order to meet the standards of universities for older adults affiliated to state organs, the demands of their students, and the skills of their teachers, the OUC will cooperate with the Financial Management Department of the National Government Offices Administration in operating the platform and working to enhance its services.

Wang Zhaoxu, director of the Financial Management Department of the National Government Offices Administration, pointed out in his summary that the platform has allowed retirees to continue studying online during Covid-19, expanded the teaching resources of universities for older adults, and facilitated the studies of older students there. Such good results from a small investment have led to widespread praise, and further collaborations can be expected to follow to meet the needs of older adults, with the functions, contents and resources of the platform enhanced, and funds used with optimal efficiency.

By Liu Feng, OUC