Ege 3rd Age University (U3A) is a social responsibility project initiated in 2016 by the Department of Geriatrics at the Ege University Faculty of Medicine in Izmir. Ege U3A takes a multidisciplinary approach aimed at promoting active and healthy aging, utilizing the "lifelong learning" model to achieve this goal. The curriculum, comprising both theoretical and practical courses, equips older adults with knowledge about their specific needs and provides them with new skills and competencies.
The program is entirely volunteer-driven, with nearly 400 instructors contributing their expertise. In addition to weekday classes, Ege U3A also offers public seminars as part of its educational initiatives.
The university's theoretical courses cover a broad range of subjects, including lifelong health, geriatrics, law, parasitology, healthy aging, psychology, communication, palliative care, archaeology, oral and dental health, philosophy, mythology, and cosmology. Practical courses include psychodrama, folk dancing, tango, yoga, photography, cooking, knitting, story workshops, rag doll workshops, choir, and aikido.
U3A students also engage in community service and intergenerational communication projects in collaboration with non-governmental organizations.
Some of the activities performed by U3A students include the "Lifelong Learning and Aging" photography exhibition, held at the Izmir Advanced Age Symposium in March 2018, and the preparation of a short film on U3A education in the same year. They also contributed to the opening of 3rd Age University libraries in primary and secondary schools, organized poetry concerts and folk dance performances, and compiled a cookbook.
Students have participated in intergenerational workshops and worked on social responsibility projects in collaboration with non goverment organizations such as the Turkish Education Foundation (TEV), Turkey Alzheimer’s Association Izmir Branch, Parkinson’s Association., During the COVID-19 pandemic, they led a social media initiative called "We Are at Home." Additionally, they created the award-winning project, While You Were Small, We Grew.
In 2024, it received the Jury Special Award in the evaluation of the 7th Doctorclub Awards "Turkey's Health Awards." Under the guidance of Ege U3A, two more U3As have been established in the same city. These three U3As in Izmir come together periodically for sports and arts festivals, as well as scientific symposiums.
As part of its educational program, Ege U3A organizes trips to historical sites in the region and archaeological excursions to areas where archaeological work is being conducted. Ege U3A students act both as teachers and learners. In the "Gems Within Us" course, they teach their peers on subjects in which they are experts, sharing their experiences with younger generations and guiding them.
In the coming years, Ege U3A aims to expand its educational model across Turkey, improving the quality of life and functionality of the elderly while contributing to the field with scientific publications.
Our Academic Studies
Sevnaz Sahin, Nurgul Kocakoc, Mehmet Emin Arayici, Bugce Kamer Baybas, Hayal Boyacioglu, Selahattin Fehmi Akcicek. Evaluation of the quality of life in the university of third age students: a cross-sectional study. European Geriatric Medicine. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-023-00764-3.
Nurgül Kocakoç, Sevnaz Şahin, Fehmi Akçiçek, Elderly Friendly Hospital Concept First Application in Our Country: Izmir Model, Special Issue of Health Sciences, Vol.6, No.3, 2020, 158-170.
Kocakoç N, Şahin S. Age-friendly health institutions. Uçku SR, Simsek Keskin H, editors. Elderly Health and Problems. 1st Edition. Ankara: Türkiye Clinics; 2021. p.55-61.
Yavuz C, Şahin S. The impact of a videoconferencing-implemented program on older adults' psychosocial health in the COVID-19 pandemic: an experimental study.Psychogeriatrics. 2023 Apr 18. doi: 10.1111/psyg.12961. Aegean.
Age University (Aegean Refreshment) Textbook 1, İzmir 2021.
Nurgül Kocakoç, Sevnaz Şahin, Fehmi Akçiçek, Elderly Friendly Hospital Concept First Application in Our Country: Izmir Model, Special Issue of Health Sciences, Vol.6, No.3, 2020, 158-170.