Seniors university addresses aging society

Overcoming difficulties

After studying music and calligraphy, Jia Yueling has started taking courses on editing short videos at the seniors university.

The 63-year-old said it was difficult for him to get used to retired life at the beginning because he no longer had a fixed schedule. In response, he started finding things to occupy his time.

Jia is very good at whistling, so he often makes videos of himself whistling songs. He also takes videos when he travels with friends, so he hopes the video-editing course will help improve the quality of the films he shoots.

"I want to know the right angle for shooting, and how to make the videos more beautiful," he said, adding that he often posts his work on WeChat and Douyin.

Huai, the education minister, said China will promote the sharing of quality resources and extend education services to towns, villages and communities to turn the seniors university into a school without boundaries between communities, campuses and society.

Colleges and universities, as well as vocational colleges, are required to provide services tailored to elderly education, he said, adding that China encourages primary and secondary schools to take part in these educational initiatives by providing sports and cultural facilities, and also supports teachers — both working and retired — who devote themselves to this undertaking.

Liu said she hopes the Seniors University of China can become an innovative, open and influential school for older people and also become their home for knowledge, enrichment and entertainment.

"We believe that more seniors can enjoy high-quality education near their homes, so their sense of achievement and happiness will improve and they can enjoy life by learning and making progress constantly," she added.