A sixth of China’s population is now over 60 years old, and as the standard of living continues to rise, so does life expectancy. The National Bureau of Statistics said in 2015 that China’s elderly lived an average of 76.3 years. By 2030, it’s predicted to rise to 79 years.

Meanwhile, China has a relatively low retirement age. Most men finish working at 60, whilst most women retire even earlier at 55. With many of China’s senior citizens facing decades as pensioners, more provisions are being made for their care, which includes further education. There are now 60,000 “Universities for the Elderly” within the country. And the target is for every county to have at least one such institution by 2020.

So what are these universities?  Well, I went to visit one campus in Beijing’s southerly suburbs and, frankly, it left me in awe of both the students and its Principal.

Welcome to the Shouzhouyuyuan branch of the Daxing University for the Elderly. It was established in 2011 by a retired doctor, Zhuanling Zhang, as a club where local senior citizens could attend a few classes. Back then, there was nothing like this in her neighborhood, but with community support, teachers volunteering their time, and incredible dedication by Dr. Zhang, this branch now offers eight different courses with around 200 students.

The courses include the traditional arts of calligraphy and painting as well as modern necessities like using the Internet to communicate and pay bills.  Many of the students told me that this University for the Elderly plays a very important part in their lives. 

There is medical proof that attending a University for the Elderly doesn’t just improve a student’s quality of life, but it also keeps them in better health. It’s partly why the Principal, Dr. Zhang, set up the center. The university is just a small part of Dr. Zhang’s charitable work. She also provides medical care for senior citizens in her community and has funded scholarships for youngsters she has never even met. She’s also looking to establish similar centers in other neighborhoods just like two of her past students have already done. 

China’s General Secretary Xi Jinping says the elderly deserve acceptance and respect and that they, in turn, should develop self-respect and independence. If you want to see this in action, visit the Shouzhouyuyuan branch of the Daxing University for the Elderly.