Summer classes open up a world of new learning_美文

Summer classes open up a world of new learning

Zhang Ziqiang, who set up Lectures at Peking and Tsinghua Universities on Sina Weibo in 2010, said it takes him three to four hours a day to update the account.

He said he has carried on because he treasures the opportunity to gain knowledge, and enjoys the process of attending lectures.

"Many followers send messages expressing their gratitude for the lecture information," he said. "It makes me feel I'm respected, and what I do is valuable."

Experts say the fast-changing society has driven people to continue studying.

"Life is full of uncertainties and risk, and people with limited knowledge may not be able to deal with all the situations they encounter," said sociologist Ge Daoshun, of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

He said people have to keep learning under such circumstances, and attending lectures or taking part in public forums is a good and convenient way to do so.

"Through lectures and forums, people can acquire the habit of reflection and critical thinking, which enable them to adjust their way of working and thinking according to changing situations," he said. "People like attending them because they find it helpful in adapting to the fast-changing society."

Getting equal opportunities with students from prestigious universities is another reason.

"Many lectures open to people from off-campus are at prestigious universities such as Tsinghua and Peking," said Long Hai, 46, who attends a lecture almost every night. "For people who didn't have the chance to go to a good college, like me, it's a great opportunity to experience how it feels to be a student at these universities."