The University of the Third Age in Bolesławiec, affiliated with the Wrocław University of Economics – Faculty of Economics, Management and Tourism in Jelenia Góra, was established on 13 October 2007. From the very beginning, its spiritus movens has been Wiesława Olczyk.
In 2012 – the Year of Universities of the Third Age, whose celebrations are patronized by First Lady of the Republic of Poland Anna Komorowska – Bolesławiec University of the Third Age is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The jubilee celebration took place on 24 May in the Forum Cinema hall.
Those attending the ceremony included, among others: Deputy County Governor Stanisław Chwojnicki, Bolesławiec Mayor Piotr Roman, Deputy Mayor Kornel Filipowicz, City Secretary Jerzy Zieliński, City Council Chairman Józef Pokładek, Deputy City Council Chair Janina Piestrak-Babijczuk, as well as representatives of the Wrocław University of Economics and Lower Silesian universities of the third age. The ceremony was opened by the Rector’s plenipotentiary for the Bolesławiec Branch Teaching Centre of the University of Economics, Dr Artur Zaborski.
There was no shortage of congratulations and thanks. The gala was enhanced by performances by the University of the Third Age choir (under the direction of Aleksandra Samostrokova), the “Bolesławiec” Song and Dance Ensemble of BOK-MCC (under the care of Agnieszka Podłaszczyk), students of the University of the Third Age dance-gymnastics classes, children from Municipal Public Kindergarten No. 7, pupils from Primary School No. 1, and outstanding vocalist Aleksandra Sozańska-Kut with her band.
The University is located at 38c Jana Pawła II Street (the Primary School No. 1 building). Anyone with pension or disability-benefit entitlements may become a student of the University of the Third Age. Previous education does not matter at all!
Bolesławiec University fulfils educational and activation objectives: striving to change stereotypes associated with senior citizens; promoting knowledge, health, culture and good manners; facilitating students’ access to the achievements of modern science and technology, as well as promoting active ways of spending leisure time. An experienced staff takes care of all this: teachers with many years of experience, specialists in their fields and the Students’ Council.
Something for the spirit and the body
The University’s programme is adapted to the expectations and needs of its students. Thanks to it, Bolesławiec University of the Third Age received the Self-Accreditation Certificate of the Foundation for the Jagiellonian University in July 2011.
The University of the Third Age offers a wide selection of activities:
learning English and German
learning basic computer skills
physical activities: rehabilitation, dance and Chinese gymnastics; yoga, a gym and oriental dance
swimming pool activities: water rehabilitation, swimming lessons and aerobics
workshops: psychology, music, painting and theatre (planned)
a cultural and educational club
Nordic walking (walking with poles).
Open to others
The University gives its students the opportunity to continually expand their knowledge, encourages activity, and responds to the expectations and needs of the Bolesławiec senior community. The University of the Third Age in Bolesławiec maintains contacts with other universities of this type in Lower Silesia and beyond.
The Students’ Council, a dynamically operating part of the University of the Third Age, organizes lectures, trips to the theatre, opera and philharmonic, sightseeing and tourist excursions around beautiful Lower Silesia, as well as trips abroad within the Nysa Euroregion. In April this year, the cultural and educational club organized a trip to Lubań to explore the city’s interesting historic monuments.
“We know as much about ourselves as we have been tested”
The University of the Third Age includes, among other things, the Municipal Senior Olympics and the Senior Olympics in Česká Lípa, thematic meetings on nature, history and health, and integration activities. Students attend exhibition openings, meetings with travellers and interesting people organized by the Museum of Ceramics, the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre–International Ceramics Centre and the Municipal Public Library. Every year, the Students’ Council supports talented pupils from Municipal School Complex No. 2 in Bolesławiec. University students also conduct survey research for doctoral candidates and students of higher-education institutions.
Join the University of the Third Age!
Membership in the University of the Third Age brings its students joy and happiness and motivates them to pursue intellectual, physical and social activities. It brings groups together, creates opportunities to make friends and establish warm social relationships, and helps people forget about loneliness. As one student put it: life without the University of the Third Age is impossible!
Recruitment for the new academic year began in May. The application form can be collected from the dean’s office (room No. 6). More information by telephone: 75 734 15 51.
(information: UTW/ii)