21世纪是知识经济时代 ,作为高等教育重要组成部分的成人高等教育在实施“科教兴国”战略中将发挥极其重要的作用。知识经济对成人高等教育提出了严峻的挑战 ,也为其提供了发展机遇。成人高等教育应从全局出发 ,及时地在规模、数量、质量、功能等方面进行相应调整 ,以便迎接知识经济时代的挑战 The 21st century is an age of knowledge-based economy. Adult higher education, as an important part of higher education, will play an extremely important role in the implementation of the strategy of “rejuvenating our country through science and education.” The knowledge-based economy poses a serious challenge to adult higher education and provides it with opportunities for development. Adult higher education should proceed from the overall situation and timely adjust its scale, quantity, quality and function so as to meet the challenges of the era of knowledge-based economy