LEARNING IN LATER LIFE
THIRD AGE UNIVERSITIES FOR ALL IN
BASHKORTOSTAN AS RUSSIA AGES
Gulnara Minnigaleeva, PhD, Research fellow
Centre for Studies of Civil Society and Nonprofit Sector
State University Higher School of Economics
Moscow, Russia
CEO, Organization of Retired persons Wisdom Ripening
Tuymazy, Bashkortostan
USSR
Russian
Federation
Facts
• 160 ethnic groups
• Education:
– 90% secondary education
– 60 % professional and higher education
• Minimum pension 150 Euros
At what age does the "older age" start?
66.00
64.00
62.00
60.00
58.00
56.00
15 - 19
20-29
30 - 39
40 -49
age of respondents
50 - 65
Who is an older person in
Russia?
Pensionable age
• 55 Women
• 60 Men
Life expectancy (2008)
• Women 73
• Men 62
SO WHAT IS AVAILABLE?
University programs?
• NO!!!
• Stereotypes
• Fees
• No options
Government programs?
• Yes, few
• Government social service centers
• Some regional programs
Republic of Bashkortostan
Third Age
Universities
(4 courses)
Social tourism
Third Age Universities in
Bashkortostan
In 2011 - 2 200 000 rubles (55 000 EURO)
- all cities in Bashkortostan
- 16220 students
- no cost for seniors
Third Age Universities in
Bashkortostan
Problems:
- Funding available for licenced educational
institutions only
- School teachers are not prepared to teach
older learners
- Limited courses (4): health, English,
computer basics, psychology
NGO programs?
• YES !!!
• Network of NGO «Knowledge» (16
branches all over the country)
• Individual NGOs
Advantages and disadvantages
• Diversity of programs
• Difficult to sustain
• Involve older learners
in other activities
• Not always good
cooperation with the
government
• Better teachers
• Little resources
available
Which activities of governmental or
nongovernmental organizations do you
participate in?
60.00%
50.00%
48.78%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
11.88%
11.79%
8.25%
1.63%
6.71%
6.89%
2.54%
2.72%
Organization
of Disabled
Persons
Pensioners'
Union
0.00%
amateur talent political party
Third Age
hobby group Social Service
group
University or
Center
School
Veterans'
Council
I don't
participate in
any activities
of any kind of
organization
EXPERIENCE OF THE
ORGANIZATION OF RETIRED
PERSONS
«WISDOM RIPENING»
Students’ preferences
Computer basics
Buiness basics
Law
Psychology
Singing
Hair styling
Beekeeping
Help yourself (health and spiritual)
Physical Training (different kinds)
Folk Dance
Religion basics
Drawing and Painting
TV production
Cooking
German
Italian
English
Embroidering
Knitting
Sewing
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Would you like a
certificate?
28%
72%
yes
no
What are three major
reasons why you study?
spiritual growth
good for my health
intellectual development
memory training
personal growth
like to socialize with classmates
i like the teacher
long time dream
positive emotions
need knowledge
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
How do you usually feel after a
class?
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Exellent
Good
Ok
Not very
well
Bad
References
I started going to the U3A in 2010. I like it very much. I
attend singing, PT. We recently had a celebration. It
was great. We danced, sang, socialized, listened to
music . I’d also like to go for trips to other cities. Let’s
live happily! Ww only live once.
I started going to the U3A from its start. I was mostly
interested in technical skills such as comp[uter skills
and camera work. I had to work hard, i often had to
study at home. I have managed to learn what I wanted.
Thanks to everyone.
Our time requires developing yourself. These courses help
me
References
Thank you for the opportunity to extend my life beyond my
home.
Here I have gained myself the way I deserve
I am greatful to the organizers for this university. The university
cheers us up, and therefore helps to stay healthy, prevents
isolation. This organization makes us closer to each other, and this
is great happiness at our age. I wish all to be active and life will be
marvellous.
Thank you!
And see you in Bashkortostan!
• Conference
«Advantageous ageing»
• 23-25 October 2012
• Ufa, capital of
Bashkortostan, Russian
Federation
• m.gulnara@gmail.com
• +79166296264