'Yangcheon Jangsu Cultural University' Online Semester Opening

Supporting Senior Leisure Activities with YouTube Online Classes, Digital Skills Training, and Silver Gymnastics Classes Amid Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Kim Soo-young) has a university for senior citizens.

Yangcheon Jangsu Cultural University, a senior citizen-specialized program planned by Yangcheon-gu for the first time nationwide, has been operating customized programs for seniors in 18 neighborhoods since the first semester in 2004, receiving great responses from local seniors. By 2019, it had produced 19,206 graduates, making it a popular program well-known among the elderly in Yangcheon-gu.

This year, the program was put on hold due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation, but it was decided to communicate with seniors through non-face-to-face online classes via video.

The district plans to first operate the program through Yangcheon-gu Office’s official YouTube channel 'YangcheonTV' starting September 14, and then conduct offline classes as soon as the situation improves.

The online Yangcheon Jangsu Cultural University will upload four types of content each session over seven sessions from September 14 to October 8, including smart capability enhancement education, liberal arts education, life safety education, silver gymnastics, and singing classes, supporting seniors’ safe leisure activities.

In particular, digital capability enhancement content aimed at supporting smart senior life in the rapidly changing post-COVID era is noteworthy.

The videos are composed of lively content on how to use digital tools in daily life, such as sending texts and video calls via smartphones, ordering food and shopping through apps, and using kiosks, which are expected to be practically useful for seniors.

The videos can be viewed by anyone on the Yangcheon-gu Office YouTube channel 'YangcheonTV' under Senior Toktok. The video posted on the 14th has recorded over 400 views and received much positive feedback.

Kim Soo-young, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, “In the rapid wave of the 4th industrial revolution and the trend of automation, those who cannot access the digital environment will inevitably be excluded from all opportunities, including economic activities. We have organized online lectures so that seniors can enjoy the benefits of digital technology,” adding, “Above all, I hope seniors take good care of their health until the COVID situation ends and that the day we meet offline comes as soon as possible.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.