On November 15th, the inauguration ceremony for the Wuxi Branch of the National Senior University’s Jiangsu Division was held in Liangxi District, Wuxi. Attending the event were Vice President Yang Yu from JSOU, along with Zhang Qiong, the Party Secretary from the School of Elderly Development.
At the ceremony, Yang Yu, together with Party Secretary Xi Xiaowang and President Jia Houlin from Wuxi Open University, as well as Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Education Woking Committee and Director of the Municipal Education Bureau Song Xinchun, officially unveiled the plaque for the new branch. This event highlighted Wuxi's commitment to senior education and heralded a promising future for its development.
Following the ceremony, Yang Yu and her delegation visited the Ageless Academy at Wuxi Open University. The Ageless Academy serves as a vital platform for elderly education, offering diverse courses such as dance, calligraphy, painting, and traditional music. During the tour, Xi Xiaowang noted that besides specialized courses for seniors, the academy also runs night classes, including popular oil painting courses that attract young learners, showcasing the inclusivity and diversity of lifelong learning.
Yang Yu praised the advancements in elderly education at Wuxi Open University, stating that it offers valuable insights and experiences for Jiangsu Open University. She emphasized the importance of developing high-quality courses tailored for seniors, suggesting the integration of modern technology like live streaming and online classes to enhance accessibility and meet the needs of elder learners.
President Jia Houlin expressed optimism about the integrated advancement of elderly education within Jiangsu's open university system. He highlighted the rapid growth in senior education and the strong support from faculty members. He hoped for enhanced cooperation between the two universities to jointly develop engaging and meaningful courses for seniors, fostering the prosperity of elderly education.
In conclusion, Yang Yu stressed that elderly education is a key focus of national educational efforts. Despite potential challenges, she expressed confidence in promoting this field through strategic planning, collaboration, and mutual learning. The goal is to create an accessible and enriching learning environment for seniors, filled with varied educational resources.