Dr. Francois Vellas, President of the Association of International Universities of the Third Age (AIUTA), commented that Mahatma Gandhi University has established a new model in the activities of the movement. During his keynote address at the International Conference on Leisure and Healthy Ageing organised by the MGU unit of U3A, Dr. Vellas underscored the importance of MGU’s initiatives.

U3A asserts to the world that age is not a barrier to studies and creativity. This movement is  much alive in several universities in the European countries. Such a platform is highly relevant in this period when social and familial scenarios are changing drastically.

Many senior citizens, who might have been limited to their homes, are now energetically engaged under the umbrella of U3A.

MGU, which is the first University to establish a U3A unit in India, serves as a model for the entire nation. The unit has successfully achieved remarkable growth and implemented several creative activities within a short span of time.

The declaration of Elikkulam, Kottayam as the complete U3A panchayat and the donation of land by an expatriate family at Kaippuzha, Kottayam to build an office for the movement are evidence of the acceptance the movement has received from the public, he added.

Vice Chancellor Dr. C.T. Aravinda Kumar inaugurated the function, while Director of U3A, MGU Unit, Dr. Tony Thomas presided over it. Dr. Thomas Abraham explained the activities of U3A in MGU. IQAC Director, Dr. Robinet Jacob, Help Age India State Director Biju Mathew, Dr. A.P. Thomas, Dr. Graceamma Mathew, and Advocate Geetha Saras also participated.