67-year-old Grandmother Graduates with Honors, Embracing Lifelong Learning at Huafan University

At Huafan University's commencement ceremony, a 67-year-old grandmother, Lu Lizhu, stood out among graduates ranging from 18 to 70 years old. She not only embraced campus life by living in dormitories with younger students but also achieved remarkable academic success, securing the Dean's Award, an outstanding performance award, a service award, and membership in the Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Honor Society.

Lu, who previously worked in hospital administration, decided to enroll at Huafan four years ago to set a learning example for her grandchildren. She shared her joy in celebrating academic achievements with them, emphasizing that "studying hard isn't that difficult; as long as you work hard, you will be seen!" Undeterred by her graduation, she has already been accepted into a master's program and aspires to pursue a doctorate, embodying a spirit of continuous learning.

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Studying hard isn't that difficult; as long as you work hard, you will be seen!

Another distinguished graduate was 70-year-old Que Zhi-fu from the Fine Arts and Creative Industries Department. A former importer of clothing, Que pursued her passion for painting at Huafan. She cherished the experience of learning alongside students nearly 50 years her junior, who eagerly helped her with any difficulties. In return, she supported their creative endeavors by purchasing their handcrafted figurines.

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Awakening Education, which fosters self-awareness, compassion, and wisdom, evident in the harmonious intergenerational connections at the ceremony.

Adding to the international cohort, Luo Zehua, nearly 60, also graduated from the Fine Arts and Creative Industries Department. He put his trading business on hold to study in Taiwan, funding his education with his savings. Luo expressed no regrets and plans to complete his master's degree within a year, aiming to hold a large-scale installation art exhibition and establish himself as an artist.

Former Minister of Education Yang Chao-hsiang noted that universities facing declining birth rates must adapt. He praised Huafan's "all-age education" model, combined with "multiple intelligences," for creating a new educational paradigm. University Chairman Master Wu Guan highlighted Huafan's "Awakening Education," which fosters self-awareness, compassion, and wisdom, evident in the harmonious intergenerational connections at the ceremony. President Li Tian-ren added that in the AI era, "awareness", of emotions, values, societal needs, and one's contributions, is paramount. The university aims to cultivate such talent, creating a space where the passion of young students and the wisdom of elders converge, fostering mutual growth.

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In the AI era, 'awareness', of emotions, values, societal needs, and one's contributions, is paramount.