With the conclusion of the year of the sheep, we usher in the year of the monkey. We hope for a good start to the year of the monkey. Unconsciously, the green willows bring signs that spring is around the corner, reminding us that we are soon to be wrapped in the embrace of a new season. The spring of 2016 happens to be the one year anniversary of the founding of the Open University for Older Adults. On the occasion of the new semester, let's review the development of the Open University for Older Adults over the past year. 

In January 2015, with the support of the Ministry of Education, the National Working Commission on Aging, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Bureau of Retired Veteran Cadres under the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, and after more than half a year of preparation for construction, the Open University for Older Adults was formally established. The Open University for Older Adults has set up the Council of the Open University for Older Adults, School Affairs Committee, the Teaching Steering Committee or Expert Panel Committee, as well as Administration Office, the Teaching Office, Project Promotion Office, and other specific business departments. Supported by modern information technology, the Open University for Older Adults is designed to serve both the elderly and senior service professionals, carrying out academic and non-degree education services. 

In 2015, with the support of the school leadership and under the guidance of relevant departments, the Open University for Older Adults focused on academic education and non-degree training, information platform construction, digital resources construction, system construction, base construction, and so on. The integration of institutions in the elderly education and senior services has achieved the desired results. 

The university has set up various senior education training programmes, providing OAO integrated learning services for the elderly. A total of 30 class sessions were opened for 619 students, including a calligraphy class, Chinese painting class, music class, dance class, computer class, and smart phones class. At the same time, on the basis of the first phase of construction, the second phase of training for those employed in the senior service field is close to completion. The university has cooperated with the Beijing Association of Household Service to carry out "Special Training for Beijing's Household Service Industry" project. Currently, 8,500 people have received the training. Relying on the teaching management rules and credit bank system of the Open University of China (OUC), the Open University for Older Adults has formed its own certificate system that seamlessly integrates the course completion certificate, on-the-job training certificate, vocational skills certificate, and the diploma certificate. 

During the year, the Open University for Older Adults website has taken on a new look. The website has been optimized to make the most of the personal centre, and the new version of the MOOC learning system will soon be put into use. At the same time, the website has added the study tour section, "Bring the National Traditional Culture into the Community" micro video contest, training programme sections, etc., constantly enriching the contents and optimizing the function of the website. The website categorizes the existing curriculum resources, and developed more than 150 kinds of themed design projects. The first batch of six Android apps have also been developed, including elderly desktop, application square, Ailaobang, call-up, happy learning class, and bridge card college. Among them, Ailaobang, as the key app, has launched its own website. Meanwhile, the "I Solve a Problem for My Parents" activity combined with the "Voice of Older Adults" column of China National Radio (CNR), has received great feedback from the majority of users. 

Another highlight of the Open University for Older Adults in 2015 was the large number of "Sightseeing Tour" activities. Currently, the university has held two sessions of sightseeing class: "Visit Hunan: Enjoy Ancient Villages and the Customs of the Miao Minority" and "Visit Fujian: Minnan City Heritages and Hakka Culture". The activity has received positive social response. In 2016, our sightseeing tour activities will continue. Japanese study tour class and other domestic sightseeing class will be carried out continuously. You can follow our Weibo (Open University for Older Adults) and WeChat (Open University for Older Adults) accounts to keep up-to-date on the latest news. 

Over the years leading up to 2020, we will strive to build the Open University for Older Adults into a university with a high quality brand and prestige for its sound organization system, abundant learning resources, and online and offline experiences. We hope it will become the most practical university for older adults across and senior service professionals in the country. The Open University for Older Adults is expecting you! 

By Qi Shuang, OUC

Source: Chinese TV News

Executive Editor: Yan Jingzhen