BEIJING—China has officially opened its first undergraduate institution dedicated to civil affairs education, marking a significant development in the country’s educational and social service sectors.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the China Civil Affairs University was inaugurated in Beijing this past Friday, following approval from the Ministry of Education in May. The university is established on the foundation of a vocational college that previously focused on social management, now expanded to incorporate the Ministry of Civil Affairs’ comprehensive research and educational resources.

The newly formed institution offers a range of undergraduate programs, totaling 25 distinct areas including smart elderly care management, nursing, social work, and modern funeral management. Of these programs, seven have been designated by the Ministry of Education as key components in the national action plan for the innovation and development of higher vocational education.

This strategic educational expansion comes in response to China’s pressing demographic changes, notably its aging population and the corresponding demand for qualified elderly care professionals. Recent statistics highlight the urgency of this initiative, with the population aged 60 or above reaching 297 million by the end of 2023, which includes 217 million individuals aged 65 or above, accounting for 15.4 percent of the total population.

The establishment of the China Civil Affairs University is a critical step towards addressing the shortage of skilled workers in elderly care and enhancing the standardization and professionalism of careers within civil affairs sectors across the country.