The Development of a University for Older Adults in Taiwan: An Interpretive Perspective

Education and Older Adults at the University of the Third Age

“…All five models are based on, and closely related to, the classic Francophone and British models. Although a significant number of members join UTAs in the pursuit of new knowledge and to discover things that they were not previously aware of, the UTA experience is more than an educational one (Swindell, 1993;Yenerall, 2003;Huang, 2005Huang, , 2006Alfageme, 2007;Hori & Cusack, 2006). UTAs are typified by a sense of vitality and dynamism that go beyond what is usually the case in a normal adult education center.…”

“…UTAs are linked through the International Association of the Universities of the Third Age (AUITA), which has accreditation status to the United Nations. Numerous studies have highlighted the social and psychological benefits that UTAs hold for third agers and society (Swindell, 1993;Lemieux, 1995;Yenerall, 2003;Huang, 2005). UTAs have been found to raise the social integration, personal fulfillment, and quality of life of older persons, thereby leading them to optimum levels of active and successful aging.…”

Four decades of Universities of the Third Age: past, present, future

“…U3As in Taiwan are neither attached to universities nor are they self-help organisations. Instead they have been established, managed and financed by local authorities, with teaching carried out by professional teachers (Huang 2005).…”

Selected Contemporary Challenges Of Ageing Policy

“…The French model focuses on educating older adults at universities, and the English model focuses on making use of the public and the private spaces (Selecký, 2014 (Formosa, 2012). Additional examples in the world tell us about the typical French model which is implemented in Canada (Lemieux, 1995), and for example in Taiwan, where educating the seniors is not connected to universities but is managed and financed by the local authorities and the teaching is done by professional teachers (Huang, 2005). Based on these examples we can see several different approaches to educating the seniors.…”