We’re one age-friendly university
As Manitobans, we proudly proclaim ourselves as Friendly Manitoba, but did you know that the University of Manitoba is also the first Canadian Age-Friendly University? Our campuses host a thriving community that supports aging across the lifespan, not only academically, but mentally, physically and socially.
Many great programs are available on campus, but finding the information can be overwhelming. If you’re wondering what an Age-Friendly University looks like, wonder no more. Today marks the launch of the Age-Friendly University Hub.
Over the past year, the Age-Friendly University Committee has identified existing age-friendly university programs, activities and information on campus. These include programs such as Free tuition 65+ (non-credit courses) for senior students, Seniors’ Alumni Learning for Life Program, or Recreation Service to name a few.
“I’ve always said the University of Manitoba is a trove of learning opportunities for older adults— lectures, seminars, courses, health and wellness classes and more—lots are free,” says Dr. Bill Kops, professor in Extended Education and Age-Friendly University Committee member. ”The new HUB is the “one-stop-shopping” site to find out what’s happening—a great way to join the university’s learning community.”
The information has been centralized and will now be accessible to the university community and beyond via the Hub.
“It is great that the university is going to have an Age-Friendly University hub,” says Dr. Michelle Porter, director, Centre on Aging and Chair of the Age-Friendly University Committee. “As we heard through our research on the age-friendliness of the University of Manitoba, there are many excellent age-friendly resources here. Centralizing the information in one location was a main recommendation.”
As Canada’s first Age-Friendly University, the University of Manitoba took the first steps in committing to improving the lives of its community members both on and off campus by endorsing the age-friendly university principles.
In 2016, President David Barnard announced the U of M as the first Age-Friendly University in Canada and one of a handful of early supporters of the Age-Friendly University (AFU) Network, established by Dublin City University in Ireland in 2012. Since then, interest in the Network has expanded globally, where over 30 institutions across 8 countries have endorsed these same principles, including 4 other Canadian universities.
As the U of M continues its endorsement of the AFU principles, the information will continue to be updated on the Hub by the Age-Friendly University Committee.
Research at the University of Manitoba is partially supported by funding from the Government of Canada Research Support Fund.