National Elderly Education Recitation Achievement Exhibition and Taikang Lexue Scholarship Award Ceremony Successfully Held in 2023

From Shu Ting’s representative work “To the Oak Tree” to Hemingway’s classic The Old Man and the Sea, performance formats ranged from solo and duet recitations to dynamic fusions of recitation with traditional Chinese painting... On November 15, the “Silver Age Joyful Reading: Sharing the Fragrance of Books” — National University for the Elderly 2023 National Recitation Teaching Achievements Showcase for Elderly Education and Taikang Lexue Scholarship Award Ceremony was grandly held in Xiamen. Award-winning elderly student representatives from across China gathered on Egret Island, presenting an audiovisual feast of live recitations that showcased the new spirit of seniors in the longevity era—remaining vibrant after retirement and defying age with vigor.

It is reported that the achievement exhibition event was hosted by the National University for the Elderly, organized by Xiamen Open University, and co-organized by Taikang Insurance Group Co., Ltd.

Themed “New Era · Senior π,” the recitation event comprised three chapters: “New Era · Harmonious and Beautiful Senior Party,” “Innovative Senior Party,” and “Joining Hands Toward the Future.” On the day, award-winning senior students from across China and representative senior students from Xiamen vividly recounted moving stories to the audience. Their emotionally charged and expressive recitations frequently resonated deeply with attendees, drawing rounds of applause.

“This achievement exhibition represents a significant endeavor by the National University for the Aging to explore and innovate its teaching models.” As the host of the event, Fan Xianrui, Member of the Party Committee and Vice President of the Open University of China, attended yesterday’s ceremony and delivered remarks. He introduced that this year’s Educational and Teaching Achievement Exhibition was divided into two categories: recitation and calligraphy/painting. The recitation exhibition, themed “Silver Age Reading, Sharing the Fragrance of Books,” was launched in May this year. It received recommendations from 41 branch campuses and multiple elderly education institutions, with over 500 units submitting a total of 1,795 works. During the public voting phase, 344,000 participants cast a cumulative total of 2.58 million votes. After rigorous screening through stages including submission, exhibition, and evaluation, 140 recitation works were ultimately awarded first, second, and third prizes, as well as Excellence Awards and Popularity Awards. Additionally, the event concurrently recognized outstanding instructors and excellent organizing units.

“Recitation activities for the elderly represent a proactive approach to aging, holding significant importance for enhancing quality-oriented elder care and skills, promoting arts-based aging and artistic competencies, improving older adults’ adaptability in the digital age, bettering their quality of life, and expressing their aspirations for a better life.” Tang Ning, President of Xiamen Open University, stated that the achievement showcase fully implements the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and enriches the “silver-age” lives of older adults. Through recitation, an art form widely appreciated by the public, the event allows attendees to appreciate the scholarly demeanor of elderly learners and feel their passion and enthusiasm for exploring life.

In recent years, the state has attached great importance to education for the elderly. The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China stated, “Implement a national strategy to actively respond to population aging and develop elderly care services and industries” and “Promote the digitalization of education and build a learning society and a major country in lifelong learning for all.”

In 2021, the National Exhibition of Teaching Achievements in Elderly Education was launched. To further support the development of elderly education in China, Taikang, in partnership with The Open University of China, introduced the country’s first national scholarship for elderly education—the “Taikang Lexue Scholarship.” This scholarship aims to encourage seniors across China to embrace the spirit of lifelong learning, showcase their independence, autonomy, and self-reliance in enjoying later life, and enhance their social influence. It also seeks to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of lifelong learning, thereby inspiring more people to engage in lifelong learning initiatives in the era of longevity.

Since its inception, the Taikang Lexue Scholarship has continuously supported these initiatives. “In addition to the 140 award-winning participants in this year’s recitation competition, we will also award scholarships to the winners of the upcoming calligraphy and painting competition,” said a relevant company representative. Taikang remains steadfast in its commitment to “business for good,” actively engaging in philanthropy. It has established a distinctive, professional, and standardized philanthropic system that reflects Taikang’s unique characteristics. To date, Taikang Insurance Group and its Chairman, Mr. Chen Dongsheng, have made cumulative charitable donations totaling nearly RMB 1.7 billion. A deep sense of devotion to country and family, along with social responsibility, has become ingrained in the ethos of every Taikang employee.

It is reported that Taikang entered the elderly care sector in 2007 and has been deeply engaged in the industry for over 16 years. Committed to changing Chinese seniors’ attitudes toward life, Taikang adheres to serving the people wholeheartedly through market-oriented approaches. Currently, Taikang Community has established a presence in 37 projects across 32 cities nationwide, with 18 communities in 17 cities already open and operational. By the end of 2023, it is expected that 20 elderly care communities will be in operation across China, serving more than 10,000 residents, thereby becoming the largest high-quality chain brand for elderly care in the country and continuing to lead the industry. This expansion has not only significantly increased the supply of elderly care services but also introduced seniors to a new lifestyle integrating five elements: “a warm home, an open university, an elegant vitality center, a high-quality medical and healthcare center, and a spiritual sanctuary for seniors.” This model ensures that seniors have access to medical care, learning opportunities, recreational activities, and meaningful engagement, enhancing their sense of gain, happiness, and self-worth, and making their life journey truly vibrant and fulfilling.