Hua Fan University Graduation Highlights Senior Students: 67-Year-Old Grandma Wins 4 Honors

(CNA reporter Chen Chih-chung, Taipei, June 13) Hua Fan University held its graduation ceremony today, where 67-year-old Buddhist Art student Lu Lizhu, already a grandmother, received four honors—Phi Tau Phi membership, Book Award, Outstanding Performance, and Diligent Service—amid the proud presence of three generations of her family.

In recent years, Hua Fan University has actively promoted mature-age education, with half of its students already over 45 in the 114th academic year. Today’s ceremony featured many senior graduates, but the most celebrated was 67-year-old Lu Lizhu, who took the stage multiple times to receive her awards.

Lu Lizhu previously worked in hospital administration. Four years ago, to set an example for her grandchildren, she enrolled at Hua Fan University and lived in student dormitories alongside younger peers. Each time she achieved excellent grades, she immediately shared the news with her grandchildren, telling them, "Studying hard isn’t that difficult—just keep working, and your efforts will be recognized."

For Lu Lizhu’s graduation, six family members across three generations attended, bearing witness to her lifelong commitment to learning. She has already been accepted into a master’s program and plans to continue her studies, with aspirations to eventually earn a doctorate.

Luo Zehua, a nearly 60-year-old graduate from the Department of Fine Arts and Cultural Creativity, originally from Hong Kong, gave up his trading business to come to Taiwan and “live off his savings” for education. He has no regrets and aims to complete his master’s degree within a year, host a large-scale installation art exhibition, and become a professional artist.

The same department also graduated 70-year-old Que Fuzhi, a former importer of clothing accessories who entered Hua Fan due to his passion for painting.

Que said he greatly enjoys attending classes with young “kids,” despite the nearly 50-year age gap. When he encounters difficulties, classmates eagerly help him. In return, he purchases classmates’ handmade figurines and crafts to encourage their creative pursuits.

Former Minister of Education Yang Chao-hsiang, speaking at the ceremony, noted that the impact of low birthrates is becoming increasingly severe. If universities continue to position themselves solely as learning spaces for youth, recruitment will grow ever more difficult. Hua Fan University, he said, has led the nation in transforming its model by integrating “full-age education” with “multiple intelligences,” successfully creating a new system—a miracle in Taiwan’s educational landscape. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150613