During this course, TecnoCampus has launched an innovative program focused on the continuous learning of people over 55 years of age. The TecnoCampus Senior program is promoted by the Chair of Aging and Quality of Life and the HUB4T Permanent Training Center.
Designed to promote active and healthy aging, TecnoCampus Senior offers participants the opportunity to integrate into the university environment, enjoying a space for training, participation and intergenerational coexistence. In addition to interaction with university students, the program provides access to more than 50 subjects in key knowledge areas, such as business, technology, cultural industries and health.
The project not only focuses on academic training, but also embraces the principle of social responsibility, seeking the comprehensive personal development of the participants. Thus, program participants find a space where senior people can actively participate in cultural, social and scientific debates, promoting the constant development of their personal, intellectual and social skills.
The experience, so far, has obtained a good response from the participants. This is confirmed by the students Luciano Altozano and Lluis Valencia, both seniors, who have experienced their return to the university with great satisfaction.
“For me it has been a totally positive experience,” says Altozano. This 67-year-old retiree considers himself a very active person and very close to young people, so having the opportunity to share classrooms with TecnoCampus students has been an incentive. Luciano, who has worked as a chiromassage, has enrolled in two subjects of the physiotherapy degree to give an outlet to his “interest in health sciences”. He explains that what he liked most is the people: “There is a lot of camaraderie with the students. When I arrived I told them that I wanted to be one more and we have created a group.” He also assures that the degree teachers “are a thousand.” This participant in the TecnoCampus Senior program is so happy with the experience that he already plans to enroll in new subjects for the next quarter.
The case of Lluis Valencia is similar. This senior high school teacher has always had an interest in staying up to date with computer science issues. Thanks to the TecnoCampus Senior program he has been able to take several subjects in the computer science degree, in which he has shared classrooms with two other seniors and the rest of the TecnoCampus students.
Valencia, who had himself taught classes at the UPC, explains that he was surprised to see a change in the attitude of the students as a result of the application of the Bologna plan. He has also observed “that the relationship between the hours of theoretical and practical classes has changed.”
Unlike Luciano, for the seniors in the computer science degree, the relationship with the young people has been less close, but they have had the opportunity to share some hours of practice. Without a doubt, he values the experience as positive and like his two classmates he has also decided to continue taking subjects in the next term.
The TecnoCampus Senior offers more than 50 quarterly subjects in various areas of knowledge, offering participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in topics that they are passionate about. The initiative encourages active participation and intergenerational coexistence, promoting an enriching learning environment.
Looking ahead to January, the program will reopen its doors to new participants. The registration period for the subjects of the second and third quarter of the academic year is now open. The areas of knowledge at TecnoCampus, such as Business, Technology, Cultural Industries and Health, offer interested parties a wide variety of options to continue their academic and personal development.
