Brandishing two walking sticks, former sergeant William Bonello, 94, hobbles into the Catholic Institute for the opening of the academic year of the University of the Third Age.
“I really enjoy the lectures organised by the University of the Third Age as they keep my brain running like an oiled machine,” he said.
“I have been attending them since the university’s inception in 1993. In the past I used to walk in on my two legs; now, I hobble along on four,” he smiled.
Mr Bonello is the oldest of the 500 elderly applicants who have signed up to attend this year’s lecture programme that is organised by the U3E. The U3E forms part of the University of Malta’s European Centre for Gerontology and offers a diverse programme with study units ranging from health, social learning, political studies, history and biblical studies to art, music and languages.
“The lectures and talks help us to keep abreast of current affairs,” former assistant head Joseph Goggi, 69, said. He added, “We are sometimes invited to youth associations. The meetings are mutually beneficial as we learn from them and they learn from us.”
On the other hand former primary school teacher Edwina Vella, 75, was encouraged to apply for the lectures by her children.
“My husband recently passed away and the U3E gives me the opportunity to venture outdoors and keep myself occupied. It engages my mind on informative matters, as opposed to brooding indoors.”
The U3E also organises a number of socio-cultural activities such as outings to places of historical interest, as well as lunches and keep-fit classes.
European Centre for Gerontology director Joseph Troisi yesterday highlighted the fact that according to the latest census, more than 20 per cent of Malta’s population was over 60 years of age.
“Growing old should not be a fear but should instead be regarded as an opportunity to enjoy a range of activities associated with well-being”.
Elderly Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea said studies show that actively practising a hobby lowered the risk of dementia.