Successful graduation from the Silver University

At the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, the Silver University course programs for the creative and professional development of older people have been implemented since 2021 on the basis of the Institute of Continuing Education (hereinafter –INO).

At the stage of the creation of the Silver University, more than 2,000 applications were submitted, of which more than 1,100 were satisfied, including 507 people who completed their studies in the current academic year. Over the three years of its existence, Silver University has employed more than 90 teachers to conduct more than 40 courses aimed at preserving the social and intellectual activity of older people.

Classes were held in various directions: foreign language for communication and travel; digital technologies; fundamentals of legal literacy; fundamentals of financial literacy; age psychology; history, cultural studies and art criticism; personal development and others.

All organizational work on conducting classes is carried out jointly with the faculties of the university. At the same time, the peculiarity of this year was that the students themselves, who have practical and life experience, offered their own author's programs and opened new groups on popular topics.

Unlike previous years of study, this year, older students who have successfully completed the courses download electronic certificates in three languages using an electronic digital signature (EDS) on the SMART ENU platform. The training is provided free of charge.

The Institute of Continuing Education is constantly searching for new ways and methods to attract older people to the Silver University 50+. The popularization of the Silver University is carried out in the media, social networks, through the participation of listeners in TV shows. Relatives and friends of our students also join the ranks of the Silver University.

Despite the fact that the academic year is over, students continue to hone their skills in the established clubs of fans of the speech genre, national games "Togyzkumalak" and "Bestemshe". Silver club members go on excursions on weekends. Interesting meetings and events are held throughout the calendar year. On an ongoing basis, candidates over the age of 50 have the opportunity to apply electronically via EDS on the SMART MENU for admission to the Silver University of ENU, to familiarize themselves with the topics of courses on the website of the Institute of Continuing Education https://ino.enu.kz/

In order for it to become a promising project with the active involvement of more elderly people and their demand in connection with the acquisition of new knowledge and competencies, large-scale work is needed to popularize the "Silver Universities", making support decisions at the state level, including the allocation of so-called personalized vouchers for older people who want to receive education at Silver universities, including from rural areas.