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The Visit to University of the Third Age (U3A) in Brisbane & Melbourne (29 Nov to 5 Dec 03)

The Visit to University of the Third Age (U3A) in Brisbane & Melbourne (29 Nov to 5 Dec 03). Delegates from the EC: Mr WONG Hong Yuen, Peter (Leader) Prof CHAN Cheung Ming, Alfred Ms WONG Yiu Ming, Anita. An Outline. Participants list Australian U3As in practice

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The Visit to University of the Third Age (U3A) in Brisbane & Melbourne (29 Nov to 5 Dec 03)

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  1. The Visit to University of the Third Age (U3A) in Brisbane & Melbourne (29 Nov to 5 Dec 03) Delegates from the EC: Mr WONG Hong Yuen, Peter (Leader) Prof CHAN Cheung Ming, Alfred Ms WONG Yiu Ming, Anita

  2. An Outline • Participants list • Australian U3As in practice • Definitions/philosophy/origin of Australian U3As • Operations and the volunteer elements • Some examples • What to do next

  3. Other delegates:

  4. The Australian U3As in practice • Different levels, same principles • from interest classes housed in community halls or commercial buildings to formal curricula delivered in university campus • all run by older volunteers, managed by a U3A management committee, governed by the same constitution • low costs, Aus$20 for annual membership plus course fees for cost-recovery • total autonomy, fully independent, participants’ ownership

  5. Definition and Origin of Australian U3A U3A strives for positive health benefits and productive ageing that can finally lead to successful aging (i.e. the Active Ageing concept) • University • No entry requirements • Free discussions between scholars and people who are interested in learning at any place and time  not a ‘university’

  6. Definition and Origin of Australian U3A (Con’t) • Third age • An age of active retirement (over 65) after the age of youth, work and home-making • University of Third Age (U3A) • An intellectual-democratic learning environment involving teaching & learning activities/programs for the third age • Based on the French (institutional) or/and British (community) models

  7. Operation of Australian U3A • Formation & administration of U3A • Management committee initiated and formed by a group of older persons (1-year term) • A steering subgroup to see to logistics and course preparation • Course manager(s) in charge of the co-ordination & quality assurance of courses • Instructor does all: all preparations, administration and follow-up (e.g.calling those absent) • Course promotion through grapevine and news- letter

  8. Operation of Australian U3A (Con’t) • Course design & quality assurance: • Management Committee. Course manager performs overall supervision over the quality assurance, and instructors are supposed to be professionals in specific courses. • Teaching in small group tutorials (10-15). Close interactions, build up friendship networks • Learners’ evaluation. Students will drop out if courses are not good. Lower admission rates may show poorer course quality or real demand

  9. Operation of Australian U3A (Con’t) • Curriculum Design • Learner-driven, teacher-students negotiated • Interest-based, non-vocational and care-free, mainly for leisure, no examinations • In groups of 10-15 • From skills intensive to contemporary issues to academic • On weekly basis, total 6-8 weeks • All places can be venues for classes, including instructor’s own home

  10. Operation of Australian U3A (Con’t) • Financial Arrangement: • Rental fee is low or supported by local government • Expenditure is kept to a minimum since U3A is operated all on volunteer efforts, no instructor’s fees • Incomes from annual fees & course fees, occasionally from donations (e.g.computers) • U3A Network in Melbourne: partly funded by the Victoria government

  11. Volunteer Element in Australian U3A • Learning: voluntary & for leisure • Teaching: voluntary & for pleasure • Finance: pooled resources among members, occasional support from other people & government • Management: voluntary, independent, & run by the retired persons

  12. Some Examples • Maningham U3A, Brisbane, using village halls. Local government promised to build a purpose-built U3A complex • Nunawarding U3A, Melbourne, using shopping arcade space. Sponsored to run computer courses • U. of Sunshine Coast, using university campus for more sophisticated courses • Odyssey Travel LtD, strictly commercial venture, using retired academics as field trip leaders. Profits to subsidize some tours & to fund related research

  13. What to do next • Further refinements to the draft report • Open discussions and consultations with stake-holders, including relevant government departments • Long-term - establishment of an independent umbrella group to promote lifelong learning by older persons themselves

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