University for senior learners expands enrollments

Shanghai University for the Senior has expanded to meet the growing demand for lifelong learning, adding 13 district-level branch campuses and four new teaching centers this semester, officials said.

Peng Haihong, executive vice-president of the university, said the expansion has strengthened the university's network, which now includes one main campus, 41 branch campuses and 12 teaching centers, allowing for the enrollment of thousands more students than last year. This semester, which began on March 3, the university welcomed more than 25,000 students to over 720 classes across its campuses, a new high.

The university's expansion reflects a broader commitment to fostering lifelong learning in China. The country's educational agenda prioritizes enhancing public services for lifelong education, with Shanghai's educational conference emphasizing the importance of promoting quality lifelong learning and facilitating resource-sharing initiatives.

Shanghai has seen a significant demographic shift. By the end of 2023, people age 60 or older accounted for 37.4 percent of the population, according to the Shanghai government, underscoring the growing need for educational services tailored to seniors.

Most classes at the university focus on training, skills coaching and cultural education, which have remained in high demand. The transition from on-site to online registration in recent years has significantly expedited enrollment, with classes often filling up within seconds, said Fang Yi, a music instructor at the university.

The recent expansion is part of a broader strategy to establish a four-tier system of educational institutions for seniors at the city, district, subdistrict-town and community-village levels. The initiative aims to improve access to quality education resources for senior residents within their local communities, Peng said.

Established in 1985, the university offers a wide range of classes, including calligraphy, painting, foreign languages, piano, computer training, literature and international culture.

To meet evolving needs, the university has introduced innovative courses such as The Beauty of Coffee and Scientific Infant Care, which have attracted strong interest from senior learners. Liu Qingyuan, the instructor for Scientific Infant Care at the university's Songjiang district branch, said the course incorporates practical demonstrations and immersive learning experiences to effectively teach advanced child-rearing concepts.

The university has also embraced digital technology to empower seniors, focusing on areas such as artificial intelligence, digital literacy and senior health management.

"We have established an e-learning center for the elderly, which has been very popular," Peng said.

Luo Bin contributed to this story.