An instrumental music class at the university. [Photo/Baotou news network]

Baotou Senior University has grown into much more than just a classroom; it's now a lively space for knowledge, physical and mental well-being, artistic expression, social connection, and personal growth.

The university has expanded in both size and reach, playing an increasingly important role in supporting active aging and enhancing seniors' quality of life. This fall, it offered a diverse range of courses including music, tea art, baking, literature and poetry, paper cutting, sketching, wellness dances, flower care, and smartphone use (Android). Classes ran from Monday through Sunday, allowing seniors to choose freely based on their interests and schedules.

56-year-old Xie Honglian joined the university last year. After taking vocal and traditional Chinese wellness courses, she passed the exam to enter the solo performance class and is now the class monitor. "I used to be very introverted," she said. "But the uplifting energy from my teachers and classmates changed me. Now I smile more often and feel more connected."

A vocal music class at the university. [Photo/Baotou news network]

Founded in 1986, Baotou Senior University currently offers 402 classes across 64 majors. New additions, including grandchild education, intangible cultural heritage crafts, ocarina, guitar, and posture correction, have proven especially popular. This semester, the school has 6,500 enrolled students and serves over 11,000 attendees.

To make learning more accessible, the university is integrating digital technology into its offerings, launching a fully equipped live-streaming classroom and supporting access via computers, smartphones, and TV, making learning just one click away.