| About U3A The University of the Third Age(U3A) is a concept designed to improve the quality of life for older people. History of U3A The First University of the Third Age was founded in Toulouse, France in 1972. It involved bringing older people into contact with academic programs run by the University. In July 1981, the U3A concept was introduced to Britain. A different model to the French was adopted. The experience and skills of older people were harnessed so that they themselves were able to run the programs leaving them independent of academic university involvement. In 1984, the first Australian U3A's were formed in Melbourne and quickly spread throughout Australia. The Australian U3A adopted the British model. All of the teaching, planning and administration of a U3A is carried out by its own members thus tapping the skills and experience of older people. I joined my local U3A in 1985 and ran a number of classes as a Tutor. Each year there was a different subject.,e.g., Naval, Maritime and Military History, Amateur Radio Novice Licence Course, The World We Live In which covered Science & Technology and Astronomy. As U3A had to sometimes move to different venues I sometimes repeated the above courses due to new enrolments from the new areas. Class members said they enjoyed the subjects. My wife Betty has taught Mah Jong over the same period as myself. |