A picture of pride and humility as 88-year-old Zhang (right) poses for a graduation photo. (Photo : Yangtse.com)
We are indeed never too old to learn.
This was a point proven by an 88-year-old man in China who recently graduated from Jiangsu Open University with a degree in management. Zhang Guohuan gained his bachelor's degree in Culture Industry Management on Oct. 21. He is among the first batch of graduates under the university's program of continuing education for the elderly.
Along with Zhang, Xu Hesheng, 86, and 17 others received the same degree from the university.
Zhang and Xu were among the oldest who received their diplomas during the university's commencement ceremony.
During their stint as university students, Zhang and Xu learned how to use modern technology in the form of computers and smartphones.
According to Zhang, at an old age, some of the challenges he faced while studying were his poor memory and keeping up with the advances of technology, but with the help of his teachers and peers, he was able to overcome these. In fact, one of the modes the course was taught was through online distance learning.
Jiangsu Open University has enrolled 196 elderly students since April 2014. It implements a teaching model which incorporates offline education with online learning.
