New CityU academy welcomes the elderly back to class

New CityU academy welcomes the elderly back to class

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) recently established the Elder Academy in cooperation with the Elderly Commission and the Labour and Welfare Bureau, allowing senior citizens to partake in different undergraduate courses in the 2008-2009 academic year. With the help of various public and educational sectors and advice from people of different generations, the Elder Academy encourages the elderly to take part in education, improve their well-being and maintain a sense of worthiness. It also promotes inter-generational solidarity and cross-sector collaboration on issues affecting the elderly.

Professor Lilian Vrijmoed Kwan Lee-ping, Dean of Student Learning of CityU, said the University was dedicated to the concept of life-long learning and the establishment of the Elder Academy contributed to the fulfilment of this ambition.

The Elder Academy of CityU differs from other programmes provided for senior citizens. The students will attend the undergraduate courses with CityU students and have access to CityU’s facilities, such as the library and computer services. “Through attending undergraduate courses with CityU students, the elderly will gain new knowledge and be able to share their valuable life experiences with CityU students, to encourage inter-generational interaction,” Professor Vrijmoed said.

Dr Leong Che-hung, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Elderly Commission, expressed his gratitude to CityU for establishing the Elder Academy. “The courses provided by CityU are very creative. They promote life-long education and enable the elderly to take part in the university curriculum. This further promotes the concept of active ageing and leading a fulfilling life. The most important thing is that they have a chance to attend the courses and share their experience with CityU students,” Dr Leong said.

The Elder Academy of CityU will commence on 1 September 2008. Twenty-seven undergraduate courses with approximately 200 places are available throughout the three semesters — semester A, B and Summer Term. The application fee per course is HK$300. The semester A and B courses last 13 weeks, while Summer Term runs for seven weeks. The enrolled students are required to attend lectures and participate in group discussions. No assignments and assessments are required and no credits or award will be granted. A certificate will be issued upon completion of the course.

Hong Kong residents, aged 60 or above, with Chinese and English competency and basic IT literacy, are eligible to enrol. The application period is from 6 to 15 August, 2008. For details of the application procedures and further enquires, please visit the website: www.cityu.edu.hk/ce/elderacademy or contact the School of Continuing and Professional Education on 2788 7423.

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Media enquires: Ellen Chan, Communications Office, CityU (3442 6808 or 9687 9841).