The Lifelong Learning Centre at the U of R and the Seniors’ University Group announce exciting new partnership
The Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) in the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) at the University of Regina, in partnership with the Seniors’ University Group (SUG), have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that strengthens their long-established collaboration.
This new agreement charts a course that will provide and expand lifelong learning opportunities for older adults in Regina and the surrounding area through events, activities, and classes held on the beautiful College Avenue campus.
Under the terms of the new five-year agreement, classes and lectures will continue to be held on the College Avenue campus with registration and course scheduling determined by SUG. There is a robust course catalogue already in place for winter 2024. Courses include a range of topics such as Ancient Cultures and Places, Spanish, Yoga, Writing Memoirs & Creative Stories, and Canadian Wines.
Maria Reardon, who is in her nineties, is a SUG board member and passionate lifelong learner. She says she could not be more pleased with the evolution of the partnership.
“I feel excited and invigorated by the changes we are undergoing. Everyone is working really hard, we have a wonderful new President, and class offerings for the winter look fabulous,” says Reardon.
SUG President, Neale Partington says the MOU empowers their organization to take greater ownership of membership management and programming, and that he looks forward to building on the momentum of the past few months. With Partington leading SUG, membership has increased by more than 100 new members since September.
“We have an excellent relationship with the Lifelong Learning Centre and an amazing group of people on our board. It has been a pleasure working all together. Our focus now is to learn more about what courses and activities seniors in Regina and area want so we will be conducting focus groups and a member survey. We also hope to offer positive hybrid learning experiences down the road to reach seniors who are not mobile,” says Partington.
Christie Schultz, Dean of the Centre for Continuing Education at the U of R, has been delighted to work so collaboratively with all members of the SUG board, appreciating their insights and commitment to what can be possible now and into the future.
“It has been an honour and pleasure for myself and my team to work so collaboratively with all members of the SUG board leading up to this new agreement. We share a common goal — to ensure seniors in the area have access to high-quality learning experiences tailored to their needs and interests. From our work together, I can genuinely say I have never met a more dedicated, enthusiastic, and hard-working group,” says Schultz.
Registration for LLC Winter programs is open up to, and including, January 12.
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About the University of Regina
2024 marks our 50th anniversary as an independent University (although our roots as Regina College date back more than a century!). As we celebrate our past, we work towards a future that is as limitless as the prairie horizon. We support the health and well-being of our 16,700 students and provide them with hands-on learning opportunities to develop career-ready graduates. Our research enterprise has grown to include 21 research centres and 12 Canada Research Chairs and brings in more than $51.2 million in funding annually. Our campuses are on Treaties 4 and 6 - the territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Michif/Métis nation. We seek to grow our relationships with Indigenous communities to build a more inclusive future.
Let's go far, together.