Characteristics of the field of study

Education of the elderly is one of the prestigious tasks of modern universities in developed countries.University of the Third Age (U3V) represents one of the options for quality fulfillment of leisure time of the elderly. It provides seniors with access to new knowledge, skills and knowledge in an appropriate form, which they can use not only for their personal development. It is also an important opportunity to have social contact with like-minded and age-related people, to make new friends, to overcome feelings of loneliness, isolation or uselessness, to consciously slow down the ageing process and to maintain mental freshness.

University of the Third Age is a part of College of Polytechnics Jihlava and since March 2005 it is open to the general public. It offers general, special interest and non-vocational education at university level to those interested in higher education. The health condition of the students and their life situation is taken into account. The University of the Third Age of the College of Polytechnics Jihlava is implemented in accordance with its long-term plan. Since its inception, the U3V at the VŠPJ has been a member of the Association of Universities of the Third Age of the Czech Republic, z.s.

Participants have the status of students of the university, but they are not students within the meaning of Act No.111/1998 Coll. on Higher Education and all related and supplementary provisions. This form of education for seniors does not serve to increase professional qualifications. The knowledge and skills acquired are no longer applied in employment but serve to improve the quality of life of seniors. Studying at universities of the third age does not replace comprehensive higher education. Graduates receive a certificate of completion, but not an academic degree.

Education within the University of the Third Age at the VŠPJ is mainly one-year, it includes a total of 24 lessons = 48 teaching hours. Lectures and seminars are held during the teaching period of each semester. The Winter Semester lasts 12 weeks (in the period October to January),years Summer Semester lasts 12 weeks (in the period February to June) with 2-3 teaching hours per week. A minimum 60% attendance is required to successfully complete the year. Attendance sheets are used to record attendance and are signed by students at each class.

The current U3V course offer for the following academic year is published on the VŠPJ website and applications are activated usually in April each year.

Contact:
Mgr. Marie Marek
University of the Third Age                                                                                                                                                         
Language Learning and Examination Centre
tel: 567 141 118
mobile: 775 766 391
email: marie.marek@vspj.cz