University of third age students increase in number

Parliamentary Secretary for the elderly Mario Galea said the number of students attending the University of the Third Age is on the increase, speaking during the launch of the U3E’s academic year.

During the 2009-2010 academic year, 603 students attended and the number of students increased to 726 during the year 2010-2011.  

Galea praised the initiative and argued that the U3E offered an excellent opportunity for active ageing. “This is not a University of Degrees but a centre of learning for those who are never fed up of mustering knowledge,” Galea said.

Galea also said that the U3E opened widely the field of continuous learning covering several aspects and subjects. 

The U3E offers a unique opportunity for those who never experienced learning and encourages the principle of long life learning which, according to Galea, is a concept “widely spread among educators” today.

Several courses offered by U3E centres operating in Floriana, Sliema and Victoria, Gozo. 

This year, 14 new study units will be offered in addition to the two already offered at the Floriana  U3E centre. The Sliema centre will offer eight study units and four areas of studies will be offered in Gozo.

An important achievement of the U3E is the Association of the Third Aged which is very active, and Galea encouraged the elderly to take initiative by coming forward to “participate in this fruitful experience”.