On 9 May, 2019, Shandong Radio and TV University (Shandong RTVU) held a ceremony for the launch of the Open University for Older Adults (Shandong) of the Open University of China (OUC), and a work meeting on elderly education in the Shandong RTVU system.

Du Yingjie, deputy director of the Organisation Department of the Provincial Party Committee, director of the Bureau of Senior Cadres of the Provincial Party Committee, and president of the OUC Open University for Older Adults (Shandong), attended the meeting. Zhang Shijun, a level-two inspector for the provincial Department of Education, and Liu Chen, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the OUC, addressed at the meeting, while Liu Longhai, secretary of the Party Committee of Shandong RTVU, gave a speech at the ceremony. Xu Wenmou, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and president of Shandong RTVU, also attended the meeting, which was presided over by Liu Zhaodong, vice president of Shandong RTVU.

At the ceremony, Du Yingjie and Xu Wenmou signed a framework agreement for the two sides to cooperate, and along with Zhang Shijun, Liu Chen and Liu Longhai jointly announced the launch of the new university and of the "Shandong Elderly Education Online" website, and appointed members of the Shandong Community Education Expert Bank. Yuan Zhenquan, a member of the first class of students, gave an enthusiastic speech on its behalf, and Xu Wenmou announced that it could officially begin its studies.

In his speech, Liu Longhai spoke of the importance of this launch, and how it would promote the development of older-adult education in Shandong in terms of teachers, resources, and the interaction of online and offline platforms that would allow learning to take place both within and outside the home. It would make positive contributions to the economic and social development of Shandong Province, especially in terms of services to the elderly.

Liu Chen spoke of the state's policy on the development of education for older adults, and introduced the situation and experience of the Open University for Older Adults in terms of organisation, platforms and resources. His advice was that the relevant government departments give strong leadership to open education for the elderly in terms of institutions, planning, policy formulation and funding. He also expressed the hope, first, that Party and government leaders would incorporate open education for the elderly into the development of Shandong RTVU; second, that the teachers and other staff would remain open-minded and innovative in relation to the development of the new university; and third, that older adults would be active in helping it meet their needs.

On behalf of the provincial education department, Zhang Shijun welcomed the establishment of the university, and made five suggestions: to build consensus, focus on pilot projects, collaborate, innovate boldly, and create a welcoming atmosphere.

At the seminar, two experts in education for older adults, Wu Hongjie, deputy director of Zhucheng Bureau of Education and Sports, and Yin Hongying, director of Student Management Department of the OUC Open University for Older Adults (Shandong), gave lectures. Participants in the pilot projects exchanged information, and documents pertaining to resources and planning were discussed.

In his concluding speech, Liu Zhaodong spoke of the education of older adults in terms of age, national policy, and development. He pointed out that this ceremony and seminar had opened a new chapter in the development of education of older adults in Shandong, and expressed the hope that action would continue to be taken to enhance the lives of seniors and their opportunities for learning.

Members of the Shandong Community Education Expert Bank, 31 Shandong RTVU pilot units, units of the Shandong Community Education Alliance, and student representatives participated.

By Shandong RTVU