On August 15, 2024, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University established the Kırşehir Ahi Evran 60+ Refreshment University as part of an agreement with the Ministry of Family and Social Services, Directorate of Disabled and Elderly Services. The Refreshment University project aims to provide 60+ individuals with the opportunity to continue their education on campus, helping them keep pace with a changing world while updating their knowledge in areas such as health, life, technology, and psychology. The project also promotes interaction between older adults and younger students, reinforcing the university's mission of uniting the city and its community. Moreover, the 60+ Refreshment University offers free education to individuals over 60 who are literate, with a program lasting four years. Classes are taught voluntarily by faculty members who are experts in their fields.
In September, 43 individuals over the age of 60 applied to become students at the Refreshment University. The first lessons of the 2024-2025 academic year commenced on October 8, 2024. The opening of the semester was attended by Vice Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Musa Özata. He expressed his joy at seeing the interest shown by older adults in education and their openness to growth at any age, congratulating them on becoming new students at the university. Prof. Dr. Özata emphasized the importance of these older adults supporting the personal development of the university’s younger students, stating, “Sharing your experiences and the values that sustain our nation is incredibly valuable for our students.”
After Prof. Dr. Musa Özata's speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hilal Seki Öz, a faculty member of the Faculty of Health Sciences, delivered a lecture on the "Psychology of Aging" as part of the psychology course. She shared insights on the psychological changes that occur during aging and how to manage them, engaging students in an interactive discussion.
Following the psychology lecture, the 60+ students attended a music class taught by Music Instructor Ozan Genç. He discussed the importance of music as food for the soul and a form of therapy in human life, announcing the launch of the "Refreshment Choir" as part of the music course.
