Within the scope of the Advanced Age Action Plan prepared by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, a 60rd Age University is being implemented in Izmir for individuals aged 3 and over. The university students who will start classes at the Vocational Factory on February 18 were determined by drawing lots accompanied by a university introduction ceremony held at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center (AASSM). While those who heard their names in the draw were very happy, it was announced that those who could not make it to the rankings would be registered in the next academic year.
The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is carrying out studies to increase the comfort of life in the city where the elderly population is increasing. In this context, the Metropolitan Municipality, which prepared the Advanced Age Action Plan with the partnership of the relevant units and city stakeholders, has put the 3rd Age University, one of the stages of the action plan, into operation in cooperation with the Aegean Geriatrics Association. Many useful trainings will be provided by volunteer academicians and experts at the university, where Izmir residents aged 60 and over will enroll free of charge. After the theoretical training, students who will graduate from the university by taking part in a social project will also experience the excitement of throwing their caps. An introduction ceremony and draw was held at the AASSM Grand Hall for the 3rd Age University, which received intense applications from advanced age individuals. The citizens, whose excitement could be seen in their eyes, were very happy when they saw their names in the draw. 100 permanent and 100 reserve students were determined in the draw. It was announced that the citizens whose names were not drawn in the draw will enroll in the next 3rd Age University.
The bell will ring at the Vocational Factory
Opened to support healthy and active aging and to carry lifelong learning opportunities to older ages, the 3rd Age University aims to keep citizens aged 60 and over active both mentally and physically and to establish a stronger bond with life. The first bell of the university will ring on February 18 at the Vocational Factory. At the university, students will be given 6 hours of lessons by volunteer academics and experts, three lessons per day, two days a week. There will also be applied and elective courses. In the education program, which includes courses such as Healthy Aging, Common Diseases in Old Age, Psychology, Law, History, Archaeology, Communication, Physical Therapy and Exercise, Palliative Care and Home Care, and Horticulture, there will also be applied courses such as knitting for men, small repairs, kitchen, Turkish Folk and Art Music Choir, Folk Dances, Psycho Drama, and Yoga for women. At the end of the four-term education, each student will physically participate in social projects, earn the right to graduate, and experience the joy of throwing their caps up.
“We will be happy when we are together”
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Prof. Dr. Pınar Okyay, who attended the university's introduction ceremony, stated that İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay has been particularly concerned with studies on advanced age since the first day he took office. Okyay, who stated that an Advanced Age Action Plan was prepared within this scope, said, “Our journey will be very long. I believe that we will all create very good examples together. We attach great importance to this issue and the 3rd Age University. Individuals aged 60 and over have different potentials. It would be sad not to bring that great potential to society. Here, we will have shown an example of its feasibility. Most importantly, we will be happy when we are together. We all deserve this happiness.”
“As a guide for Türkiye”
Ahmet Soner Emre, Head of Health Affairs Department of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, explained the health activities of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and its services for elderly individuals. Emre said, “Our Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay attaches great importance to elderly citizens. We are proud to implement the Izmir Advanced Age Action Plan. Old age is a phase of life. We are looking for ways to go through this phase of life actively and healthily and how we can contribute to it. We are trying to create a model that supports the active participation of the society and we aim to be an elderly-friendly city. Izmir Advanced Age Action Plan is a guide not only for Izmir but for all of Türkiye.”
Let Izmir Old Age Action Plan be an example for Turkey
The President of the Aegean Geriatrics Association, Psychologist Mevlüt Ülgen, said, “Turkey is rapidly aging. In 2080, 25 percent of the population will be over 65. For this, it is necessary to develop policies regarding this change, increase the welfare and social participation of our elderly individuals, and implement projects that support their active and healthy aging. The Izmir Advanced Age Action Plan is an important step in this sense. The approach we have put forward with this plan should be an example for all of Turkey so that these social policies can be implemented. We have been continuing the 3rd Age University with Ege University since 2016. The first local government experience was with President Cemil Tugay Karşıyaka We implemented it during his term as mayor. Today, we are opening the 3rd Age University in a metropolitan municipality with Mayor Cemil. Mayor Cemil has a special care for the elderly. We think that these approaches should be spread throughout Turkey,” he said.
“The important thing is to age actively and healthily”
Prof. Dr. Sevnaz Şahin from the Department of Geriatrics at Ege University Faculty of Medicine, who is also the Head of the Alzheimer's Association Izmir Branch, explained the 2016rd Age University studies they have been implementing since 3 as Ege University. Şahin, who stated that the average human lifespan is 80 years, emphasized the importance of active and healthy aging. Şahin said, “İzmir is a city with a strong elderly population. Our structure needs to be based on this. We will have courses on the subjects required for healthy aging at 3rd Age University. If a person continues to learn throughout their life and includes information that will exercise their mind, they will live healthier. This is the starting point and foundation of 3rd Age University.”
“I didn’t listen to anyone, I just registered”
Zahide Şenöz, 3, who registered to 74. Yaş University, said, “I applied to the university online. When my name came up in the draw, I was very happy, I hope I can make it. My husband passed away, my daughter lives abroad. I live alone at home, starting university is important to me. I love studying. I am happy that I will be throwing my cap in. I cannot express my joy. People around me said, ‘Can you do it?’ I said, ‘I will do it, why can’t I? I will learn something instead of sitting at home.’ My daughter was very happy and supported me.”
“An opportunity to feel that you exist”
Aziz Erdinç Ergüvenç, 62, said, “A relative of mine saw the ad and sent it to me. I applied immediately. My name was drawn in the draw, I am very happy and excited. It is a great thing for retired people to be able to do something instead of sitting idle at home. This university is an opportunity for us to feel that we exist.”
“Hopefully we will also throw our caps”
Fatma Yeniceli, 63, said, “My name came up in the draw. I am very happy and very excited. I am eager to learn. The curriculum is very nice. I will have a pleasant school life. God willing, we will also throw our caps. Everyone around me supported my enrollment here. It is a very nice project. I congratulate everyone who is devoted to this project.”
Izmir is getting older
Although Turkey's population has tripled in the last 50 years, the elderly population has increased almost tenfold. According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), the elderly population rate in Turkey was 10 percent in 2010, increased to 7,2 percent in 2020, and 9.5 percent in 2024. According to population projections, the elderly population rate is expected to be 10,6 percent in 2030, 12,9 percent in 2040, 16,3 percent in 2060, and 22,6 percent in 2080. İzmir is the 25,6th oldest metropolitan city in Turkey. According to 6 TurkStat data, in İzmir, where 2025 million 4 thousand 493 people live, 242 thousand 264 people are 88 years of age or older, 333 thousand 916 of whom are male and 598 thousand 4 are female. The elderly population rate in Izmir was 65 percent in 2007, rising to 8,2 percent in 2018 and 10,9 percent in 2024. According to the Izmir Province Population Projection (13,3-2022) study published by the Izmir Development Agency in September of last year, it is predicted that the number of deaths in the city will exceed the number of births by 2050. According to this study, which includes important findings, the elderly population rate over the age of 2030, which is currently 13,3 percent, is expected to be 65 percent in 2030, 15 percent in 2042 and 20 percent in 2050.
