57 senior students graduated from University of Third Age

Chisinau, July 13 /MOLDPRES/- 57 senior students graduated from the University of Third Age. They received diplomas during a festive ceremony attended by Labor and Social Protection Minister Alexei Buzu.

The event was attended by more than 100 people, including 57 senior students aged 60+ who graduated from the program, along with their families, decision-makers and representatives of organizations involved in supporting this concept.

"This initiative - the University of Third Age, highlights the high potential of the elderly in relation to lifelong learning, thus continuously contributing to the development of society. We encourage all seniors to become active, to participate in training and personal development programs, to put into practice the acquired skills and, of course, to encourage their peers to become active members in their communities. There are still many challenges in Moldova, but such examples motivate us to keep moving forward", said Alexei Buzu.

Attending the event, UNFPA Moldova Deputy Representative Natalia Plugaru congratulated all participants and reiterated UNFPA's commitment to support active and healthy ageing programs:

"Our aim is to bring good practices to the Republic of Moldova, which we have done including by taking this practice as a beautiful example from the Czech Republic. I would like to thank the Czech Government for the experience and for all the support. We are glad that we have been able to extend this project. Thus, starting in September, the program will be replicated in the universities of Balti and Cahul".

In the academic year 2023-2024, over two semesters, the senior students attended the courses Developing Digital Skills and Wellbeing and Intergenerational Communication, taught in both Romanian and Russian.

The Third Age University is a pilot program launched by the UNFPA, in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education and Research, Moldova State University and Moldcell Foundation, with the financial support of the Czech Development Agency.