University of the Third Age
The University of the Third Age (U3A) was founded in France in 1973 to provide continuing learning opportunities for retired people. By 1981 it was established in England and by 1989/90 branches were opening in New Zealand. Today there are branches world wide, but there is no official ruling body, each group operating independently according to its situation and facilities available.
The aims of U3A are:
- to share knowledge and advance the education of people of the Third Age;
- to provide facilities for leisure time and recreational activities of people of the Third Age in the interest of their social welfare;
- to encourage members to form interactive groups, both to share knowledge and to pursue active study in new fields.
Membership is open to all people of the Third Age who support the objects of U3A, are not in full-time employment. are approved by the committee, pay the agreed annual subscription and who agree to abide by the constitution and any conditions imposed by the committee.
To find out more about the U3A movement worldwide, go to Links.
About U3A Wellington City
U3A Wellington City (previously called U3A Ohariu) is a very active University of the Third Age based in Wellington, with a membership of over 1000.
Our activities include:
- A programme of weekly lectures on Tuesdays and Fridays, held in central Wellington
- Fifteen Interest Groups
- An annual lunch, which takes place in winter and is the main social function of the year
- Occasional visits to place of interest.
U3A Wellington City is a registered Charity. Click here to download the Rules of the Society
U3A Wellington City committee and members
For a list of committee members go to our Contact Us page.
The committee meets once a quarter, and members keep in regular contact by email. Each committee member has specific areas of responsibility.
Non-committee members help run the lectures – meeting, greeting, collecting donations and organising the lecture theatre under the supervision of a committee member. Speakers are sourced with a great deal of help from the general membership.
Special interest Study Groups are organised by convenors, whose role is to facilitate learning and research, not necessarily to ‘teach’. Groups usually meet in members’ homes. There are limits on the numbers attending these groups depending on the size of the convenor’s home or meeting place.
Wellington City U3A Award
Purpose
The fund shall be known as the “Wellington City U3A Award”. It shall be used to assist students, 55 years of age or more, for expenses incurred during their studies. These students should not be in full-time employment.
Selection criteria
Candidates must be enrolled in a course of study at Victoria University of Wellington in the year of application. The Award will be made on the basis of the academic costs to be incurred by the student in the year of application. A brief supporting statement with this information must be included in the application.
This Award can be held concurrently with other prizes and scholarships.
Number of awards offered: One per year
Value: $2,000 each year
Tenure:One year
Closing date:1 October each year
Application
Students will apply using the application form available. The Award will be made on the basis of the academic costs to be incurred by the student in the year of application. A brief supporting statement with this information must be included in the application.
Responsibility
The Award shall be made on the recommendation of the Scholarships Committee or, in the case of a postgraduate student, the Research Scholarships Committee. The nomination of the student will then be approved by the Wellington City U3A.
Accountability
The successful applicant will be required to speak at a meeting of the Wellington City U3A about their research or course of study during the second semester of the year at a mutually agreed date.
U3A Wellington City Inc. Privacy Statement
We collect personal information from you, including information about your:
- name
- contact information
We collect your personal information in order to:
- maintain contact with you
- collect subscriptions
- facilitate our lecture programme
Providing some information is optional. If you choose not to enter your name and contact information, we’ll be unable to provide you with membership services.
We keep your information safe by storing it on a secure website and allowing only designated Committee members to view it.
You have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, please contact us at info@u3awellingtoncity.org.nz, or P O Box 24529, Manners Street, Wellington 6142