With the last days of January, the University of Rijeka officially joined another world network, the Age-Friendly University Global Network. After months of preparing the application, rigorous procedure, and assessment, the University of Rijeka joins AFU-GN as the 20th member institution in Europe, as the first and only Croatian university in the Network.
This wonderful achievement was shared with the public by the Rector, Prof. Snježana Prijić-Samaržija, Ph.D., during a press conference held on February 5, along with our designated Age-Friendly University Champions:
- Prof. Dr. Marta Žuvić, Vice-Rector for Studies, Students, and QA,
- Prof. Dr. Sanja Smojver Ažić, professor at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Rijeka,
- Dr. Jasna Krstović, President of the Club of Retired University Professors – Academicus,
- Dr. Bruno Grbac, professor emeritus, member of the Council of Professors Emeriti of the University of Rijeka.
The Age-Friendly University Global Network is an association of higher education institutions committed to promoting positive and healthy aging and enhancing the lives of older members of the global community through innovative educational programs, research agendas, curriculum development, online education, health and wellness activities, arts and culture programs, and civic engagement opportunities. The Network counts more than 110 member universities across five continents: Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and Oceania. Today, the Age-Friendly University Global Network remains committed to creating an age-friendly and age-inclusive world and advancing the unique contributions institutions of higher education can make in a globally aging world.
As a socially responsible and engaged university, the University of Rijeka cares for its citizens and wants to include them in the university community as much as possible. In cooperation with our Club of Retired University Professors – Academicus and in line with our “University of the Third Age” project, we will continue raising the level of general motivation and mental health and improve social inclusion and quality of life.
The AFU Global Network engages regional leads to assist the Secretariate in managing and governance the AFU Global Network through an AFU Global Network Advisory Committee. Our regional lead, the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, will thus assist in outreach, recruitment, and education within our region, helping us achieve our goals and mission. In the next five years, under the guidance of our regional lead and with the help of our designated Age-Friendly University Champions, we look forward to co-creating an age-friendly and age-inclusive world, fully endorsing the Network’s Ten Principles.
We are honored to join the group of renowned HE institutions that have demonstrated their strong commitment to promoting positive and healthy aging and enhancing the lives of older members of the global community!
