On 6 November 2024, a delegation led by Wang Haidong, director of the Elderly Health Department of China’s National Health Commission (NHC), visited the Open University of China (OUC, aka the Seniors University of China, SUC).
The leaders of the OUC (SUC), who attended the event, included Wang Qiming, secretary of the Party Committee and president; Fan Xianrui, a member of the Party Committee and vice president; and Xu Mingjun, deputy secretary of the Party Committee. The two sides held discussions on the development path for proactive health education for the elderly. The meeting was presided over by Fan Xianrui.
Wang Qiming attended the event and delivered a speech.
Wang Haidong attended the event and delivered a speech.
On behalf of the OUC (SUC), Wang Qiming welcomed Director Wang Haidong and his delegation to the university for their research and guidance, and expressed gratitude for the NHC’s strong support for the preparation for the establishment of the SUC. He provided an overview of the university’s 45-year journey in education and shared progress made since the founding of the SUC in areas such as system building, resource supply, faculty development, digital assistance for the elderly, and brand activities. Wang highlighted that the SUC’s proactive health education for seniors. The School of Proactive Health has been established and the first batch of six TCM Master Lectures have been developed for sharing with the public free of charge. This initiative, he stated, aims to replace hospital beds with classroom desks at the SUC. Looking forward, he emphasised that the SUC will work closely with the NHC’s Elderly Health Department to collaboratively explore new models of proactive health education and facilitate the development of a ubiquitous and accessible lifelong education system by fully leveraging its role as a “strong guide”.
Wang Haidong stated that the SUC is an essential platform for promoting the concepts of “positive view on aging and healthy aging” and for spreading the idea of the Healthy China Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping. He noted the profound connection between the NHC’s Elderly Health Department and the SUC. Wang shared the main progress and achievements in elderly health work led by the NHC, as well as current health challenges facing older adults. He emphasised that healthy aging is the most cost-effective and beneficial approach for the nation to address population aging. He expressed hope that both sides could leverage their respective strengths to enhance cooperation and exchanges in areas such as disseminating health knowledge for older adults, organising the National Elderly Health Promotion Week, conducting research on elderly health topics, and utilising the expertise of senior professionals through the “Silver Age Action” initiative. Together, they aim to make new contributions to support the construction of a Healthy China and a leading country in education.
Zhang Hui, a director general level officer (Grade I) of the Elderly Health Department of the NHC; relevant officials from the Health Services Division and the General Affairs Division; and officials from relevant departments of the OUC (SUC) participated in the roundtable meeting.
By SUC