Posted on Mar 26, 2022
This Lebanese university is bringing older people back to class
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https://www.npr.org/2022/03/25/ [login to see] /this-lebanese-university-is-bringing-older-people-back-to-class
Suma Rifai is a woman with lots of responsibility.
She has raised two children on her own, and now helps care for her aging parents and her dogs.
But she has always had ambitions to learn.
"To be honest with you, the thing is, I've always wanted to go for a higher education," she said.
Suma Rifai is a woman with lots of responsibility.
She has raised two children on her own, and now helps care for her aging parents and her dogs.
But she has always had ambitions to learn.
"To be honest with you, the thing is, I've always wanted to go for a higher education," she said.
This Lebanese university is bringing older people back to class
Posted from npr.org
College
Lebanon
Beirut
Education
Schools
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Now, at age 55, Rifai is realizing her ambitions. She's a student at the University for Seniors in Beirut, Lebanon, an institution dedicated to helping older people get the most out of their later years.
Currently, Lebanon has the fastest growing proportion of senior citizens compared to any other country in the Arab world. As of 2021, 11% of its population was over the age of 65, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Social Affairs. By 2050, that number is set to increase to 23%, making it a super-aged population by UN standards.
"We have a very high emigration rate in Lebanon. Lebanese youth leaving the country and older Lebanese adults returning to their home country to retire in Lebanon," said Maya Abi Chahine, UfS's program manager.
"[Seniors] find themselves kind of alone. And the city and the country doesn't really offer engaging opportunities."
The University for Seniors is for students age 50 and up and, although UfS does not award degrees, the program offers a variety of lectures and courses, covering topics ranging from Neuroscience to Arabic Literature to cryptocurrency."...
..."Now, at age 55, Rifai is realizing her ambitions. She's a student at the University for Seniors in Beirut, Lebanon, an institution dedicated to helping older people get the most out of their later years.
Currently, Lebanon has the fastest growing proportion of senior citizens compared to any other country in the Arab world. As of 2021, 11% of its population was over the age of 65, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Social Affairs. By 2050, that number is set to increase to 23%, making it a super-aged population by UN standards.
"We have a very high emigration rate in Lebanon. Lebanese youth leaving the country and older Lebanese adults returning to their home country to retire in Lebanon," said Maya Abi Chahine, UfS's program manager.
"[Seniors] find themselves kind of alone. And the city and the country doesn't really offer engaging opportunities."
The University for Seniors is for students age 50 and up and, although UfS does not award degrees, the program offers a variety of lectures and courses, covering topics ranging from Neuroscience to Arabic Literature to cryptocurrency."...
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