Jointly organized by the Hong Kong Metropolitan University Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKMU LiPACE), the International Universities of the Third Age Association (AIUTA), and the Chinese Association of Universities of the Aged (CAUA), the "AIUTA Asia International Conference 2025" was held today (April 1).
This conference marks the 5th global event on senior education organized by AIUTA in the Asia-Pacific region, following successful conferences in Shanghai, Osaka, and Guangzhou. The theme of the conference is "Lifelong Learning for Older Adults in the Digital Age," exploring how technology can promote active ageing and learning for seniors in the mainland, HK, and the Asia-Pacific region.
AIUTA is a global organization representing universities for seniors from around the world. It is recognized as a significant non-governmental organization for the third age, with members from five continents. The conference attracted over 100 representatives from 18 countries and regions (excluding the mainland and HK). It also served as a platform for HKMU's Elder Academy to showcase its 16 years of experience in offering diverse learning programs to over 17,000 seniors. As a member of AIUTA in the Asia-Pacific region, the conference aimed to explore how technology could foster active learning among seniors in their third age across the mainland, HK, and the Asia-Pacific region.
With both the mainland and HK are undergoing rapid demographic transition to "aged societies", where the importance of keeping seniors in good health and actively engaged with the community through lifelong learning have become government policy priorities. Concurrently, advancements in technology have rendered digital products accessible to seniors, thereby empowering them to become "smart seniors" and to enjoy the conveniences of modern technology. This, in turn, has the potential to bridge the digital divide.
Speaking about organizing the conference, Dr. Benjamin Chan Tak-yuen, Dean of HKMU LiPACE, emphasized that the participating countries and regions are highly representative. Some have significant ageing populations, while others have implemented innovative and special programs for seniors. Some have achieved outstanding results in senior projects, such as high overall literacy rates or health indices. He believes these experiences will be valuable for HK, a city with a high proportion of elderly residents. Meanwhile, HK scholars also shared local experiences, promoting exchanges on this specific topic.
Discussing the original intention behind offering various courses for seniors, Dr. Chan pointed out that the current era of rapid change requires seniors to re-enter the labor market. "Education for seniors is not just about passing the time; it is about truly helping them contribute to society," he said. He noted that seniors are highly enthusiastic about enrolling in courses, with some filling up in a very short time, exceeding expectations. From teaching seniors how to use email and QQ to learning how to use mobile phones, Dr. Chan highlighted that the next step is to teach seniors how to use generative AI tools like ChatGPT, achieving "digital empowerment" for seniors.
"In order to drive senior learning or older adults' learning into the future, we need to embrace digitalization. This embracement of digitalization is not just a surface or superficial feature of learning about ICT; it is actually about integrating technology into adult learning and every facet of their life," Dr. Chan said.
Additionally, Dr. Chan emphasized the importance of intergenerational learning. He pointed out that intergenerational learning offers many benefits. When they collaborate on group projects, young students can better understand the challenges older adults face when using gerontechnology products. Meanwhile, older adults can gain fundamental knowledge to improve their quality of life while ageing in place.
Young people, in this process, not only need to understand technology but also develop empathy, he added.
Reported by Zoey SUN
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