To implement the 15th "Five-Year Plan" and the "Outline of the Plan for Building a Leading Country in Education (2024–2035)", the 11th Lifelong Education "New Vision" Academic Forum was held in Suzhou from May 14 to 16, 2026. Hosted by Jiangsu Open University and organized by the Editorial Department of the “Journal of Lifelong Education”, the forum focused on "New Forms of Future Universities", discussing the reshaping of university boundaries, forms, and functions amid demographic changes and accelerating generative AI. The event brought together nearly 100 experts and young scholars from over 30 universities and research institutions, with additional 200 viewing the livestream.
In his opening address, Hang Zhuhong, Party Standing Committee Member and Vice President of JSOU and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Lifelong Education, stated that JSOU is committed to serving lifelong learning and Jiangsu's high-quality development, positioning itself as a central hub of the province's lifelong learning system through digital technology and open collaboration.
Keynote speakers included Que Mingkun (Zhejiang University) on the shift from diploma signals to learning certification in the AI era; Ouyang Zhongming (Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University) on changes in learning concepts, content, demographics, and research; Liu Ji (Shaanxi Normal University) on an explanatory framework for the future of higher education toward 2050; Zhang Yong (East China Normal University) on the future of adult education based on community education teacher labs; and Ji He (JSOU) on factors influencing the transformation of Chinese universities. Parallel sessions covered AI and the transformation of university forms, lifelong education systems, the shift from degree-centered to lifelong learning hubs, and digital innovation in teaching.
The forum strengthened JSOU's academic exchanges and cooperation in lifelong education. Moving forward, JSOU will deepen research and social services in this field, contributing to the development of a leading education nation and the optimization of lifelong learning public services.
