Abstract
Lifelong learning in Malaysia is closely associated with productivity, employability or skill development, and less related to personal growth or active citizenship. Its present role and functions focus more on postsecondary, adult and extension education to meet human capital needs rather than to fulfil individual needs. Lifelong learning in later life is one of the six key strategies outlined under the National Policy for Older Persons. This chapter highlights the development of third age education in Malaysia and the inaugural U3A programme at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang. The Institute of Gerontology initiated the programme in 2008 through a country project jointly supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of Malaysia. Today, the U3A programme is supported by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development and managed by an elected committee of members. The future of third age education in Malaysia lies with a strong civil society mobilization and the community college system under the Ministry of Education. Although still in its early stages, there is a growing awareness on the importance of lifelong learning for older persons, as well as the opportunities it offers for active and productive ageing. Greater efforts are needed to replicate and upscale the lifelong learning programmes for seniors nationwide through multi-sector collaborations and partnerships.
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Ibrahim, R.B., Hamid, T.A., Chai, S.T., Abdullah, S.F.Z. (2016). Malaysia. In: Findsen, B., Formosa, M. (eds) International Perspectives on Older Adult Education. Lifelong Learning Book Series, vol 22. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24939-1_22
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