NCI is proud to be an Age-Friendly college, welcoming older students and staff to help promote intergenerational engagement, challenge stereotypes and combat ageism.
NCI is a member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network.
What is an Age-Friendly college?
The concept of an age-friendly college has its genesis in the Age-Friendly Cities Programme launched by the WHO in 2010, with a focus on how institutions of higher education can contribute to the Programme.
NCI is a member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network which was established in Ireland by DCU in 2012. As a member of this programme, NCI is committed to the 10 principals of an Age-Friendly college which are set out below.
Ten Principles for an Age-Friendly college
- To encourage the participation of older adults in all the core activities of the college, including educational and research programmes.
- To promote personal and career development in the second half of life and to support those who wish to pursue “second careers”.
- To recognise the range of educational needs of older adults (from those who were early school-leavers through to those who wish to pursue Master’s or PhD qualifications).
- To promote intergenerational learning to facilitate the reciprocal sharing of expertise between learners of all ages.
- To widen access to online educational opportunities for older adults to ensure a diversity of routes to participation.
- To ensure that the college's research agenda is informed by the needs of an ageing society and to promote public discourse on how higher education can better respond to the varied interests and needs of older adults.
- To increase the understanding of students of the longevity dividend and the increasing complexity and richness that ageing brings to our society.
- To enhance access for older adults to the college’s range of health and wellness programmes and its arts and cultural activities.
- To engage actively with the college’s own retired community.
- To ensure regular dialogue with organisations representing the interests of the ageing population.
Age-Friendly Working group
We have established an Age-Friendly Working group in NCI where we are mapping our current work against the principles and engaging with stakeholders.
The current chair is Dr. Leo Casey.