Education for older adults is an important part of the construction of a learning society, playing a role in the enhancement of the ideological and cultural quality of China.
In Several Opinions from the State Council on Accelerating the Development of Pension Services (Guo Fa [2013] No. 35), article (V) advocated the "improvement of learner development and employment policy". We should give full play to the role of open universities, and carry out continuing education and distance education. The open university is a new-style university. The construction of the open university is of great significance in constructing a lifelong education system, a learning society, meeting the diversified education demands of social members, and promoting fair access to education. In the face of multiple opportunities and challenges, open universities have chosen to integrate Internet technology and concepts with education for older adults, advocating the concept of lifelong learning, expanding its social function, and realizing the goal of "establishing universities in society" in the era of "Internet+". In order to implement Several Opinions from the State Council on Accelerating the Development of Pension Services and Vice Premier of the State Council Liu Yandong's instruction to "reinforce the strength of constructing the Open University for Older Adults to satisfy their learning needs", the Open University of China formulated Guiding Opinions on Advancing Education for Older Adults and set up the Open University for Older Adults. It has been proven that open education has played an irreplaceable role in the physical and mental health of older adults. Elderly people not only need to be fed, dressed, and taken care of in sickness, they also need spiritual fulfillment. In other words, open education for older adults provides them with the opportunities and conditions to make their dreams come true.
On January 28, 2015, the Open University for Older Adults was unveiled at the OUC headquarters and the council held its first working conference. Vice Minister of the MOE, Lu Xin, attended the conference and imposed requirements and goals for the construction of the Open University for Older Adults. Lu Xin pointed out that the establishment of the Open University for Older Adults is an important means for the MOE and the OUC to implement Several Opinions from the State Council on Accelerating the Development of Pension Services and Vice Premier Liu Yandong's instruction. Promoting the construction of education for older adults and building the Open University for Older Adults represent the concept of lifelong learning advocated by the OUC.
On May 6, 2015, at the 4th China International Senior Services Expo and the 4th Forum on the Development of the Chinese Senior Services Industry, President of the OUC, Yang Zhijian, delivered a keynote speech, pointing out that with the support of the MOE, the OUC integrated national policy resources for education for older adults; built the Open University for Older Adults with the National Aging Working Committee Office; cooperated by adhering to the concept and spirit of openness in an innovative way to address the policy fragmentation of education for older adults. By relying on the nationwide three-dimensional urban and rural education system, the OUC built a training demonstration base and study centre. It also explored an operating model integrating degree and non-degree education. In order to cater to the specific needs of older adults, the Open University for Older Adults has explored a variety of academic education courses that are adapt to the learning characteristics of older adults. Through the integrated design and inter-linked certificate system, the OUC uses the mutual recognition and conversion of the credit bank system to break the boundaries between academic education and non-academic education. It aims to explore a seamless online and offline learning model, that helps "everyone to learn anytime and anywhere".
On May 7-8, 2015, the OUC held a seminar on education for older adults in Beijing. President of the OUC, Yang Zhijian, said that in the face of an aging population, the OUC will take the initiative to further explore new areas of development, enhance service awareness, build consensus, and create a strong brand image. According to the delegates, China’s aging population means that great importance is attached to the education for older adults. Relying on the nationwide urban and rural organization system and the advantages of distance education, competently running the Open University for Older Adults is a form of recognition for the OUC's concept of life-long study, and also an important channel to achieve the ideal that "one is never too old to learn, never too old to enjoy happiness, never too old to be taken care of, and never too old to make a contribution”. Led by the OUC, relying on the national and provincial open universities and the RTVU education system, the Open University for Older Adults will conduct education for older adults on a wide scale, creating a positive education environment for older adults and meeting the demand for learning among the elderly.
(By the Vice Chairman of Jiangsu Adult Education Association and former President of Jiangsu RTVU, excerpted from Distance Education in China Vol 9, 2015)
By Ma Liangsheng