如何迎接中国加入WTO和西部大开发带来的历史机遇与挑战 ,在办好普通高等教育的同时办好成人高等教育 ,顺应西部大开发和社区发展的需要 ,改革和发展成人高等教育 ,以务实的成人教育去促进西部大开发 ,这是社会各界及大学本身都十分关心的重大课题。笔者结合吉首大学成人高等教育实践 ,面对中国加入WTO和西部大开发成人高等教育改革与发展谈点构想 How to meet the historic opportunities and challenges brought by China’s accession to the WTO and the development of the western region? To run higher adult education while running general higher education, to adapt to the needs of developing the western region and the community, to reform and develop adult higher education so as to be pragmatic Of adult education to promote the development of the western region is a major issue that is of great concern to all sectors of society and to the university itself. Combined with the practice of adult higher education in Jishou University, the author of the paper discussed the reform and development of adult higher education in China