'University' promises fun for elderly
Subjects like catwalk modelling aim to promote pleasure more than academic achievements of senior citizens
The city's first 'university' for the elderly opens on Sunday - and it looks like it will be a lot more fun than conventional colleges.
U3A, or University of the Third Age, will offer 'fun' classes on catwalk and modelling, skincare, electrical safety and public speaking as well as more conventional subjects such as computers, Chinese and English languages and music.
Courses will cost between $10 and $120. Any Hong Kong resident over the age of 50 can enrol.
Carmen Ng Ka-man, chief officer of service development (elderly) of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, said the aim was to promote pleasure rather than academic achievements as well as enlarging the social circles of the elderly and improving their mental and physical health. The council has assisted in setting up U3A.
'It's hoped that the university will be the first step for Hong Kong to formalise an elderly learning model,' she said.
The school will be divided into three major learning areas: knowledge, hobby and self-enhancement.
It will cater to more than 700 elderly pupils a year, and will be run and taught by a volunteer team of 120 elderly people who are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge.
The project is being jointly organised by six of the city's major providers of elderly services: Caritas, the Hong Kong Society for the Aged, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, the Salvation Army, the Chinese Rhenish Church Hong Kong Synod and CyberSenior Network Development Association. Hong Kong Electric provided a setting-up fund of $300,000.
Last year the chairman of the Elderly Commission, Leong Che-hung, highlighted the need to set up a learning institution for the aged in Hong Kong to meet the acute ageing problem in the city. By 2031 it is estimated that 25 per cent of the population will be aged 60 and older.
Ms Ng said U3A was the most ambitious project of its kind ever attempted in the city. It will run classes in five major districts - Western, Sha Tin, Yuen Long, Tseung Kwan O and Tai Po.
Depending on its success and funding, organisers plan to open more classes in other districts to attract students.
In a report on elderly learning prepared by the social service council last month, it recommended that the government set up a committee to advise, co-ordinate and supervise the pace of elderly learning in Hong Kong.
In reply, the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said that the Elderly Commission had set up a Working Group on Active Ageing last year to further promote an active lifestyle among the elderly and the promotion of life-long learning.
