To thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the National Conference on Education, to ensure the in-depth fulfilment of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on aging and education, and to facilitate the construction of a society and country of learning where lifelong education is pursued by all, the award-giving ceremony for the 2024 National Elderly Education Calligraphy and Painting Teaching Achievement Exhibition was held in Shandong Open University (OU) along with the launch of the Calligraphy and Painting Research Programme on 13 November 2024.

Attendees included Fan Xianrui, a member of the Party Committee and vice president of the Open University of China (OUC); Deng Junqing, an inspector (Level-II) of the Shandong Provincial Department of Education; Si Jiajun, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and president of Shandong OU; Yang Yu, a standing member of the Party Committee and vice president of Jiangsu OU; and Zhang Pengyuan, vice president of Shandong Elderly University. The event was presided over by Ning Jihong, a member of the Party Committee and vice president of Shandong OU.

Fan Xianrui pointed out that the Calligraphy and Painting Teaching Achievement Exhibition showcased the profound skills and outstanding achievements of elderly learners in the field of calligraphy and painting. It highlighted the educational accomplishments of the Seniors University of China (SUC) and carried forward the fine traditional Chinese culture. This is an important measure for the SUC to further the high-quality development of elderly education cause. She stated that the calligraphy and painting research programme is an extension and exploration of teaching achievements transitioning to artistic practice. Elderly learners step out of the classroom into nature and history, engage in on-site visits, live creations, and expert lectures. Through these activities, they experience the grandeur of nature, the charm of culture, and the richness of history, which stimulates their creative inspiration and further enhances their artistic literacy. She emphasised the need to continue adhering to the educational philosophy of ""virtue, learning, health, happiness, and accomplishment", strengthen system coordination, and promote consultation and sharing of resources. This will enable the educational system to play a demonstrative, leading, guiding and radiating role in the innovative development of elderly education, thereby seeking greater convergence of interests in elderly education, and make due contributions to the construction of a ubiquitous and accessible lifelong education system and serving the construction of a leading country in education.

Deng Junqing indicated that Shandong Province has always placed great importance on elderly education, consistently upholding an elderly-centred development philosophy. The province views meeting the learning needs of elderly people as both the starting point and the goal, aiming to innovate the elderly education model, expand the supply of educational resources, and optimise the layout of elderly education institutions. These efforts have garnered widespread attention from all sectors of society. He reiterated that the National Elderly Education Calligraphy and Painting Teaching Achievement Exhibition is a recognition and encouragement of Shandong's elderly education work. Shandong Province will take this exhibition as an opportunity to further strengthen elderly education and promote the high-quality development of the elderly education sector.

Si Jiajun stated that since the launch of elderly calligraphy and painting education, Shandong OU has consistently been practising the educational philosophy of "virtue, learning, health, happiness and accomplishment." The university has innovated activity formats, created activity brands, and showcased the vibrant spirit of the elderly community. It has worked to create a lifelong learning environment where "Everyone can study whenever and wherever they want to", earning widespread social acclaim. Looking ahead, Shandong OU will begin with the development of elderly education to gradually achieve the university’s diversified transformation and development, continuing to move forward toward the goal of building a learning society where lifelong learning is accessible to all.

Tian Suxia, director of the Teaching and Academic Affairs Centre of the OUC, read out the selection results on-site. Relevant leaders presented awards to the winning institutions, and representatives from the award-winning institutions and learners gave speeches. Professor Wang Shufeng from the School of Fine Arts at Jinan University and Fan Lei, a national first-class artist, delivered special lectures. A total of around 100 people attended the event.

By SUC