The University of Queensland (UQ) has joined an international network of higher education institutions dedicated to addressing the needs of older people.
UQ Vice-Chancellor, Deborah Terry said joining the Age-Friendly University Global Network demonstrated UQ’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“I am proud UQ is leading the way as the first university in Australia, and the first university in the Southern Hemisphere, to be accepted to the network of age-friendly universities,” Professor Terry said.
“One of our core values at UQ is to create a vibrant and inclusive environment where ideas flourish and people, regardless of background or age, are empowered and respected to achieve success.”
She said UQ’s successful application validated how it integrated the needs of older people into its teaching, learning and research, as well as its enhanced experience for older employees, students, alumni and guests.
“UQ’s commitment to ageing is reflected in the breadth of activities and interdisciplinary research, including world-renowned ageing-related research, accessible and innovative course-work and UQ’s Healthy Ageing Initiative established to guide age-friendly policies and practices,” Professor Terry said.
“UQ Healthy Living, a multidisciplinary service promoting healthy ageing and wellbeing in older adults, resourced by students who are supervised by leading academic clinicians, is another exemplar of UQ’s work to support the ageing population.”
She said that in becoming an age-friendly university, UQ officially endorsed 10 principles to provide guidance for evaluating the university’s age-friendly programs and policies and identifying additional opportunities for serving people of all ages.
