On 15th December 2024, Wang Qiming, secretary of the Party Committee and president of the Open University of China (OUC), led a delegation to Fujian for a research visit.
They attended the inauguration ceremony of the Fujian Branch of the Seniors University of China (SUC) and participated in a seminar on the high-quality innovative development of open universities. Accompanying them on the visit was Fan Xianrui, a member of the Party Committee and vice president of the OUC.
At the inauguration ceremony, Wang Qiming and Fan Xianrui were joined by Yu Jun, vice chairman of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Yang Gensheng, former vice chairman of the CPPCC’s Fujian Provincial Committee and president of Fujian Seniors University; Li Hong, former vice chairman of the CPPCC’s Fujian Provincial Committee and former secretary of the Party Committee of the Open University of Fujian; Ye Shen, secretary of the Party Committee and director of the Fujian Provincial Department of Education; and Zhuang Li, secretary of the Party Committee of the Open University of Fujian, to jointly press the launch button and declare the establishment of the Fujian Branch of the SUC.
Wang Qiming emphasised that the OUC (SUC) is closely aligned with the strategic initiatives for building a leading country in education. By leveraging digital technologies to empower lifelong learning, the OUC is committed to serving the construction of a learning-oriented society and nation. The university is continuously refining its Open University system, expanding and strengthening the seniors universities, exploring the establishment of a digital university, and focusing on building a ubiquitous and accessible lifelong education system. Looking ahead, Wang Qiming indicated that the OUC (SUC) will integrate its efforts with the Fujian Branch to collaboratively advance the high-quality and innovative development of open and elderly education.
Ye Shen highlighted that Fujian Province has always kept in mind the earnest instruction of General Secretary Xi Jinping, stating that “Fujian has no reason not to excel in education.” The province has persistently worked to consolidate and refine its educational system, promoting the high-quality development of lifelong education. He emphasised the importance of ensuring the success of the SUC Fujian Branch, with a focus on expanding the provision of high-quality elderly educational resources. He also underscored the need to initiate an in-depth collaborative construction model to expedite the reach of elderly education into both urban and rural communities, ensuring that the fruits of elderly education are more widely and equitably accessible to senior citizens.
Zhuang Li stated that, at this new historical juncture, the Open University of Fujian will anchor its educational direction and persistently adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to cultivate soul and educate people. She emphasised the need to broaden service scopes and enhance the university's distinctive qualities, using the inauguration of the SUC Fujian Branch as an opportunity to actively explore the deep integration of “health and wellness, learning and travel,” thereby fostering the high-quality development of the silver economy. Additionally, she stressed the importance of reinforcing an innovation-driven approach, showcasing the unique features of the open universities, and strengthening the integrated and collaborative development of Fujian's educational system.
By SUC