Empowering Outlying Islands: CCU Leads Penghu Active Aging Initiative

To address the scarcity of elderly learning resources and establish a sustainable local model, National Chung Cheng University (CCU), acting as the general coordinator for the Ministry of Education’s "Active Aging Learning General Counseling Group," launched the Penghu Active Aging Education Project from March 11 to 13, 2026. Director Liang Hsueh-cheng of the Department of Lifelong Education, alongside project hosts Professor Wei Hui-chuan and Professor Lee Ai-tzu from CCU, visited the Penghu Active Aging Learning Demonstration Center in Huxi Township to assess operations and host a forum on course design and center management. This initiative marked the start of a new phase in cultivating talent for active aging in Penghu.

Seniors as Pillars of the Community

Director Liang Hsueh-cheng emphasized that seniors should not be viewed as vulnerable individuals requiring care, but as a stabilizing force. In the face of declining birth rates, seniors' life experiences were considered invaluable assets, enabling them to participate actively in society. He encouraged local seniors to "step out, get active, and keep learning," transitioning from learners to volunteers and instructors who lead their communities.

Curriculum Design: Fostering Aesthetic and Digital Literacy

The forum featured experiences from the Kaohsiung Active Aging Learning Demonstration Center. Aesthetic education instructor Lo Yu-yen noted that aesthetic education focused on the awareness of life's details rather than mere artistic techniques. She stated that the sense of achievement and self-expression gained during the process was the core of the curriculum.

Digital instructor Chen Chien-li shared that digital teaching started from "daily needs," such as setting phone alarms, adjusting font sizes, or using voice assistants. Digital learning aimed to make life more convenient rather than simply chasing trends.

"Tiered Empowerment" for Volunteers

Director Wu Ya-ju of the Kaohsiung Active Aging Learning Demonstration Center implemented a five-tier volunteer system. By moving beyond administrative tasks through empowerment training, volunteers assisted with digital documentation and contributed to the community, becoming a strong support system for the center.

CCU Promotes "Migratory Bird Co-learning" and "Learning Passbooks"

As the general coordinator, the Department of Adult and Continuing Education at CCU was responsible for national policy implementation. To help outlying islands build local capacity, the CCU team implemented a "Learning Passbook" system in Penghu, encouraging micro-learning among seniors.

Furthermore, the "Migratory Bird Co-learning Project" was planned for the latter half of the year, pairing experts from the main island with local talent to cultivate local instructors and establish an autonomous talent system.

Professor Wei Hui-chuan stated that through CCU's professional guidance, the team aimed to help Penghu build its own talent network. This allowed seniors to continue learning and contributing within their communities, meeting the needs for sustainable development and addressing the challenges of an aging society.