Luis Jacob

and

Giselle Janeiro

rutis@rutis.pt

Associação Rede de Universidades da Terceira IdadeAssociation of Third Age Universities Network

• RUTIS is a no profit Institution that works

in a national level providing support to the

family, the community and the elderly.

• It was created in 2005 and the

headquarters are located in the city of

Almeirim, in the centre of Portugal.

o RUTIS is a member of the Economic and Social Council is a partner of

the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity since the signature of a

protocol in October 2007.

o We have participated in several European projects funded by the

Lifelong Learning Programme, the AAL and I&D.

Main Activities

NationalMeeting

Quiz show

MusicFestival

Coordinators meeting

TheatreFestival

Dance Festival

10 Editions1200 average of participants52 average of U3A

10 Editions1200 average of participants52 average of U3A

9 Editions500 participants i201 average of U3A

9 Editions500 participants i201 average of U3A

7 Editions100 average of coordinators45 average of U3A

7 Editions100 average of coordinators45 average of U3A

3 Editions400 participants4 avarege of U3A

3 Editions400 participants4 avarege of U3A

14 Editions500 participants8 average of U3A

14 Editions500 participants8 average of U3A

9 Editions350 participants4 average of U3A

9 Editions350 participants4 average of U3A

Main Activities

European Projects

RUTIS participates mainly in projects under the Lifelong Learning

Programme and in specific with the Grundtvig Programme.

The main goal is the promotion of cooperation activities at an European

level, in order to improve the quality and the European dimension in adult

education.

RUTIS participated in the following projects:

• SETIP – Senior Education and Internet Training Platform

• Cultural Bridges

Our Communication

Posters of some events Posters of some events

WebsiteWebsite Technical SupportTechnical Support

• Teacher’s guide

• Quality guide

• Protocol guide

• Technical guide to create U3A

ServicesServices

• Where each U3A has a page• It allows one to pay and sign up to the activities• It allows to send SMS to the students

145 daily visits3,5 m average time145 daily visits3,5 m average time

• A management program students

• Personal Accident Insurance for

students and teachers

National CardNational CardNewspaperNewspaper

• Printed twice a year• 12.000 copies• 12 colered pages• Free national destribution

Communication

PCSeniorVirtual

PCSeniorVirtual

A Third Age University (UTI or U3A) is a social and cultural answer, well

developed in terms of equipment whose aims are to create, to develop and to

organize cultural activities regularly, providing non-formal education, leisure

activities and social gatherings and events for people over 50 years old.

Educative activities are performed in non-formal policy, without certification

purposes and in the lifelong learning formation context.

Seniors participating in the U3A can be students, teachers and leaders.

As Universidades Seniores (UTIs)The Third Age Universities (U3A)

219 U3A, 35.000 students and 4.500 volunteer teachers

40% of Universities are managed by elderly people

75% of the students are women

The average age is 67 years old

The average qualifications is above the 9th grade

The average monthly payment is 15 euros

The most taught classes are ICT, Health, Citizenship, History and Arts.

Characterization of the U3A

U3A

A growing social response

219 U3A

Stu

dent

s

4000 teachers

REDE INTERNACIONAL DE UTIS

With partners in 12 countries

Example of Activities of the U3A: Classes

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

9 – 10 h DSwimming and

Aerobics

10 – 10.50 h CItalian

9.30 – 10.20 h BGymnastics

10 – 10.50 h APortuguese Literature

10.45 – 11.45h CPortuguese I and II

11 – 11.50 h CCitizenship

11 – 12.30 h CFloral Arts

11 – 11.50 h AMemory training

10– 11h / 11– 12 h 12-13h A

ICT

14.30 – 15-30 h CHistory

14 – 17 h CSociology

Seminars or Tours

11 – 11.50 h CEnglish I and II

14 h CBallroom

15.30 – 16.30 h CHealth

15 – 17 h CArts

15 – 17 h CArraiolos

15 – 17 h CArts

20 h CChoir

20 h CTheater

A – Public Library B – Sports hallC – Head Office D – Swimming Pools

* The last Wednesday of the month is dedicated to birthday parties.

The U3A also provide other activities

Arts

Sport

Tours

Dance

Theater

Music

Several studies show

the influence that U3A have on

the elderly’s life quality

Question Students Non-students

Have you felt happy the last 30 days? 80% 40%

Have you felt depressed the last 30 days? 4% 28%

Daily consumption of drugs - 20% -

Studie about ours U3A teachers:

The questionary sent to the U3A was applied on-line to a sample of 1.719

teachers and 79 U3A.

•The results showed that 60% of the teachers in the U3A are female.

•The predominant age is from 60 to 70 years old, 27% have less than 30 years.

•The predominant qualification is high school (74%).

•The majority (89%) of teachers give lessons in U3A voluntarily and without any

remuneration. 48.1% of the teachers still have a paid job. The rest are

distributed in the category of pensioners and unemployed (4.7%).

•44% of the U3A teachers are or were teachers in their professional life.

•At average, teachers give 2 hours of classes per week.

•85% of teachers are very pleased with the service they provide

Channel 906009 of MEO tv

Available in:

www.tvsenior.pt and at MEO tv

Thank you for your Atention!

• Giselle Janeiro – Gerontologist and Project Coordinator for RUTISgiselle.g.janeiro@gmail.com

• Luís Jacob – President of the Association of Third Age Universities Network – RUTISluis@rutis.pt