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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, AlfredMs WONG Yiu Ming, Anita

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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

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N0.

Names Organization Position

1. Ms. Alice LEE P.L. Caritas – Hong Kong Service Coordinator

2. Ms. Janice YUEN S.Y. Christian Family Service Centre Social Work Supervisor

3. Ms. Caroline YUEN Y.K. Au Shue Hung Health Centre, Baptist Hospital Executive Secretary

4. Mr. PONG Wai-ip Hong Kong Christian Service General Manager

5. Ms. Connie TSANG F.Y. The Hong Kong Society for the Aged Deputy Executive Director

6. Ms. Lada TAN H.M. Md. Wong Chan Sook Ying Memorial Care & Attention Home for the Aged

Social Worker

7. Mr. SHUM Wai-chuen Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council District Director

8. Ms. CHAN Ying-yee Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest & Heart Diseases Association

Assistant Executive Secretary

9. Ms. MA Hok-ka Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies, Lingnan University

Ph.D Candidate /Project Officer

10.

Ms. Angela LEUNG Y.M. Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional & Continuing Education, The Open University of Hong Kong

Lecturer

11.

Ms. YUEN Chui-ha Radio Television Hong Kong Programme Officer, (Radio 5)

12.

Ms. SO Ka-man Social Welfare Department SWO(P/C)(TP/N)

Other delegates:

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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

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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’

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Some Examples Maningham U3A, Brisbane, using village halls. Local gov

ernment 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

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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