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ABOUT U3A
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The University of the Third Age, Malaysia is a program under the “Lifelong Learning for Older Malaysians” project started by YM Dato Dr. Tengku Aizan Hamid, founding Director, Institute of Gerontology, Universiti Putra Malaysia. The project was supported by the Government of Malaysia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) [Country Programme Cycle 2008 – 2012].
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BACKGROUND
It began in 2007 when the Institute of Gerontology (since renamed Institut Penyelidikan Penuaan Malaysia or IPPM) developed a pilot program known as the Lifelong Learning Initiative for the Elderly (LLIFE). The enthusiastic response of senior citizens under the program led to the establishment of the University of the Third Age Malaysia, a hybrid of the international British and French models. U3A Malaysia activities are primarily hosted at Universiti Putra Malaysia, but its administration is shared between the Institute of Gerontology and active U3A members who have been providing the input, planning and structure of the program. In mid-2009, U3A participants appointed a members-only Protem committee to formally register the group with the Registrar of Societies, Malaysia. In October 2010, the Association for Lifelong Learning of Older Persons (U3A) Kuala Lumpur and Selangor was officially registered (No.: 2522-10-SEL).
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OUR PROGRAMME
The University of the Third Age, Malaysia, like its counterparts all over the world, is driven on the philosophy of “learning for leisure”. No academic degrees are conferred in the lifelong learning program, but it does not mean that the members are any less serious about the learning that takes place. A diverse number of courses on various subject matters such as Adult Development and Ageing (ADA), healthy lifestyles, exercise, languages (Mandarin, Japanese, Korean), arts and craft, gardening, cooking, digital skills, entrepreneurship, music, dance and singing are offered. At the end of the year, U3A members share the fruits of their labour during the Certificate Presentation Ceremony where they showcase what they have learned by putting up an exhibition as well as a concert.
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So, why wait any longer? Come join us in the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, have fun and make new friends along the way!