On 14 April 2023, a delegation from the Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) visited the Open University of China (OUC, also known as the Seniors University of China or SUC) on a research and exchange trip.

It was led by Wei Hui, deputy secretary of the BLCU Party Committee. Liu Chen, deputy secretary of the OUC Party Committee, also attended the symposium along with other members of staff. The two parties discussed the running of the OUC.

On behalf of the OUC Party Committee, Liu first of all extended a warm welcome to the delegation, and introduced the developmental and planning ideas behind the SUC. He emphasized how building the SUC has been a necessary step in implementing the decisions of the Party Central Committee and State Council, as well as carrying out the national strategy in regards to demographic ageing. Following the tenets of “Virtue, learning, health, happiness and accomplishment,” the SUC relies on the advantages of the OUC educational system. This has helped it build a national elderly education public service platform, gather together high-quality resources, develop in line with the OUC system, and cooperate with universities, nursing homes and community care facilities to ensure seniors continue to learn and develop in old age.

Liu said the BLCU prioritises the education of international students in Chinese language and culture, and has made significant contributions in people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries. This includes the cultivation of international students who understand China and are friendly to China. He said he hoped the two universities would leverage their respective strengths in specific disciplines and teaching to boost cooperation and exchange, as well as jointly explore the new mode of senior education.

Wei discussed relevant conditions at BLCU. He said the SUC actively supports China’s national strategy while effectively using its advantages in digitalisation and the OUC system. He praised its “Internet Plus” platform and rich learning resources, which he said have helped create the conditions for seniors to learn late in life. He added that this has inspired BLCU to provide better educational services for seniors. He also expressed hope that both parties would develop even better communication and cooperation by sharing advantageous resources, boosting cooperation and developing together.

The delegation also visited the SUC’s “Internet Plus University” Exhibition Centre, learning about the OUC’s history of development and achievements. Those in attendance specifically watched an exhibition titled “Opening a New Chapter of Senior Education in China.”

Both parties said they would continue to strengthen communication and establish a working mechanism to jointly explore new areas of cooperation between the SUC and other universities providing educational services to seniors.

By OUC News Network