BEIJING: After the Seniors University of China was formally established in Beijing last month, Li Jing was among the first students to take a course at the national-level facility.
On March 21, the 64-year-old enrolled to study recitation techniques, and she said she is very satisfied with the course. “I hope to learn some techniques to make my voice more rhythmical and pleasing to the ear,” she said.
“More importantly, I was inspired when the teachers taught us that the key to recitation is to understand the meaning of the essay and convey the emotions with the voice.” She also wants to take courses on dance and tai chi. “Older people must continue learning and exercising regularly to ensure that they remain active, both mentally and physically,” she said.
The Seniors University of China, which was officially inaugurated on March 3, is under the management of the Open University of China.
Huai Jinpeng, minister of education, said the school’s establishment is a concrete measure to address China’s aging population and also an important milestone in the reform and development of education for older people.
The inauguration of the new university is part of China’s efforts to promote lifelong education, advance the building of a learning society, provide seniors with opportunities to further their own pursuits and studies, and enjoy themselves, Huai said. Li retired nine years ago, and since then she has taken courses on editing short videos at the Open University of China.
She also took part in a modeling course with a private company, which she said was much more expensive than the new school’s classes.
“All the courses have enriched my life, and I have also made friends with people who have the same interests,” she said.
–The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
