On October 24th at noon, Zhejiang Open University’s Training College launched the “Qinglan Afternoon School,” welcoming over 40 participants for the inaugural session. During their lunch break, attendees gathered to learn new skills and enhance their personal development, marking a fresh approach to utilizing midday time.
Among the first participants is Ms. Wang, a white-collar worker based near the university. She shared her experience, saying, “I’ve always wanted to practice yoga during my work breaks, but due to a lack of suitable space, I could only do some simple stretches in my office. When I saw the announcement about ‘Qinglan Afternoon School,’ I signed up immediately and was fortunate enough to secure a spot.”
According to the project director of “Qinglan Afternoon School,” the campus is located in downtown Hangzhou, surrounded by numerous office buildings, drawing in many young professionals. “We hope to help everyone better balance their work and personal lives through a diverse range of courses,” they explained.
Currently, “Qinglan Afternoon School” offers courses primarily in yoga and tea art, running twice a week for 45-minute sessions. As the program evolves, there are plans to introduce more specialized classes covering career planning, lifestyle aesthetics, and personal development.
Zhang Jianguo, the Party Secretary of Zhejiang Open University, stated, “The ‘Qinglan Afternoon School’ is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to enhance lifelong education services. It not only broadens the scope of our ‘Qinglan Evening School’ and ‘Evening Cloud Classroom’ but also provides a variety of learning options for the younger generation.”
Zhang further noted that the university plans to expand “Qinglan Afternoon School” to different regions, offering a comprehensive lifelong learning service that caters to all age groups and needs, in response to citizens’ aspirations for a better life.
The establishment of “Qinglan Afternoon School” has garnered significant attention externally as well. Zhang Chunli, the director of the Curriculum and Teaching Research Institute at Beijing Normal University, praised the initiative as a proactive response to societal needs and a commendable implementation of lifelong learning for all.
She remarked, “The ‘Qinglan Afternoon School’ opens up a space for busy urban youths where they can both broaden their knowledge and enjoy a moment of tranquility. This innovative cultural learning model will likely become a new stage for young city dwellers to seek spiritual and cultural enrichment.”
