An increasing number of seniors are embracing a digital lifestyle by sharing tips, advice, and life lessons online, helping them gain confidence and enjoy their golden years to the full while redefining the narrative around aging.
Among those who are making a big impression in the internet age is 63-year-old Tang Shouping, a retired physics teacher who has turned his teaching skills into a successful online venture.
After inspiring students in the classroom for close to 40 years, Tang is now appealing to a whole new generation of young learners in the digital age, producing over 900 engaging physics experiment videos that showcase his creativity and imagination.
"Seeing these videos can inspire children's interest in learning, while the teaching aids provide teachers with better instructional support," said Tang's wife, Zhou Kanghua.
Another inspiring figure among the elderly online community is 71-year-old retired doctor Wu Xiaoli, who recognized a growing need among her peers to learn how to navigate the often complex intricacies of the digital landscape.
Starting from scratch, Wu meticulously documented her learning journey, filling three notebooks with step-by-step instructions to guide others online.
"Because I don't have a great memory, I've written down this many notes, and gradually I've learned," said Wu.
In order to teach elderly individuals how to better use smartphones and enjoy social media, she has adopted a straightforward approach and fills her lessons with clarity and enjoyment.
Recognizing the need to embrace technology to connect with more people, share information, and enjoy a fuller life while also ultimately reshaping perceptions of aging in contemporary society, Wu emphasized the importance of lifelong learning.
"To live a high-quality life, I believe it's essential to keep on learning as long as you live," she noted.
China's elderly re-invigorate retired life, embrace digital age by producing short videos
About 800 interdisciplinary experts from China and around the world convened in Beijing on Friday at the 2024 World Agrifood Innovation Conference (WAFI 2024), advocating a low-carbon transition in agrifood systems through sci-tech innovation to address climate change.
The conference, themed "Climate Change and Agrifood Systems Transformation," highlights the urgent need for innovation in the agricultural sector.
Experts at the conference acknowledged the numerous challenges facing agrifood system transformation and the need for global collaboration to share experiences and results through ongoing dialogue.
"One of the major highlights of the conference is multidisciplinary [observations]. Entrepreneurs and scientists are all on one platform. What we particularly emphasize is the dialogue among scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors, which is very crucial. How can a scientist's research results be transformed into productivity? This transformation necessitates industrialization, wherein businesses must leverage their technological innovations," said Fu Wenge, director of the MBA Education Center, at China Agricultural University.
During the conference, scientists, educators, entrepreneurs and investors from over 70 countries and regions will discuss various topics including smart agriculture, AI-driven breeding, transformations in livestock and aquatic food systems, genetic resources and germplasm innovation, as well as food nutrition and security.
David Nabarro, a World Food Prize laureate, highlighted that achieving sustainable agriculture requires not only national policy development but also international cooperation across industries, disciplines and stakeholders.
"This conference is about finding ways that innovation can help agriculture and food in China and beyond meet the needs that we're going to see now and in the decades to come. Well, this is a country that contains some of the world's brightest scientists who not only are good at doing the science, but also applying it and sharing it with others," said Nabarro.
Alongside the gathering of experts, the event is hosting the 2024 World AgriFood Technology Expo, showcasing cutting-edge achievements, advanced technologies, advanced models, high-quality projects, and innovative products in the global agricultural sector.
Initiated last year, WAFI aims to serve as a world-class platform for advancing global agrifood innovation. The conference is co-organized by the local government of Pinggu District of Beijing, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Agricultural University and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Global experts in Beijing explore strategies to realize low-carbon agrifood systems
