The University of the Third Age at EUBA Presented Itself in Brazil
From March 11 to March 23, 2026, representatives of the Bratislava University of Economics and Business participated, at the invitation of the International Association of Universities of the Third Age (AIUTA), in two international AIUTA conferences organized by UDC University in Foz do Iguaçu and the Federal University of Tocantins in Palmas. The main topics of the conferences were seniors’ rights to education and the cooperation of Universities of the Third Age with local authorities and other partners. The conferences also included the 116th meeting of the AIUTA Committee, of which the university is a member.
The conferences were attended by representatives of universities from around the world, including AIUTA member universities.
The Bratislava University of Economics and Business was represented at the congress by its Rector Ferdinand Daňo, the manager of the University of the Third Age at EUBA Janka Sebera Chládecká, and two students of the University of the Third Age, Magdaléna Danišová and Erika Valentínová.
Both conferences were ceremonially opened with a speech by Rector Ferdinand Daňo.
Janka Sebera Chládecká contributed to a panel discussion on the main tasks and challenges for Universities of the Third Age in Europe. In another panel focused on partners of Universities of the Third Age, she presented the cooperation and outcomes of collaboration between the Bratislava University of Economics and Business and local governments, municipalities, and other partners involved in the study programmes of the University of the Third Age.
The Rector of the university, together with AIUTA President François Vellas, held meetings with the Rector of UDC University in Foz do Iguaçu, Fabio Hauagge do Prado, the Rector of the Federal University of Tocantins, Maria Santana Milhomen, and the Rector of Kokshetau University in Kazakhstan, Marat Syrlabayev, discussing possibilities for potential cooperation among universities not only in senior education but also in other activities.
As part of the conference in Palmas, participants also visited an indigenous intergenerational education initiative in the town of Tocantinia, approximately 70 km from Palmas.
In their closing remarks, both rectors of the host universities agreed, stating:
“It was an honour for us to welcome the delegation from the Bratislava University of Economics and Business from distant Slovakia to our congress. We greatly appreciated our discussions with you and learning about your university and your work. You give new meaning to the lives of seniors, and many of your practical experiences are a great inspiration to us.”
The next international conference and AIUTA committee meeting will take place in September in Bari, Italy.
