Incheon's Yeongjong-gu District (Mayor Son Hwa-jeong) held the first admission ceremony for its senior college on Sept. 1, marking the launch of a new learning program for local elderly residents since the district's inception. Mayor Son Hwa-jeong attended the ceremony for the first cohort of the senior college affiliated with the Incheon Yeongjong-gu Branch of the Korea Senior Citizens Association, held at the Yeongjong Multicultural Center, to encourage the new students.
 [The Korean Today] First admission ceremony of the senior college © Reporter Kim Mi-hee |
The event was attended by the incoming students as well as Mayor Son Hwa-jeong, Choi Mi-ja, chair of the Yeongjong-gu District Council, district councilors, and Cha Seok-gyo, head of the Yeongjong-gu Branch of the Korea Senior Citizens Association, who together celebrated the start of this new chapter in learning.
The ceremony opened with a reading of the senior citizens' charter and an introduction to the academic program by Deputy Branch Head Song Seung-ui, followed by a welcome address from the dean of the senior college, congratulatory remarks from Branch Head Cha Seok-gyo, and celebratory speeches from key guests.
Lee Young-seok, dean of the senior college, said, "As the inaugural dean of Yeongjong-gu's senior college, I am delighted, yet keenly aware of the heavy responsibility, to take this meaningful first step together with the students of our first cohort." He added, "We will build a senior college where elderly residents can communicate with one another and gain vitality through a variety of educational programs and activities."
Cha Seok-gyo, head of the Yeongjong-gu Branch, offered words of encouragement, saying, "Though our bodies have aged, our passion for learning is more beautiful and fragrant than plum blossoms blooming in the snow." He continued, "I pay deep respect to the passion and effort of the students who are taking on the challenge of learning even at a later age."
Mayor Son Hwa-jeong said, "I sincerely congratulate the elderly residents who have begun a new challenge driven by their passion for learning." She added, "I hope you will enjoy the pleasure of learning and forge new relationships at the senior college, and lead healthy, vibrant lives in your later years." She went on to emphasize, "Yeongjong-gu District will also continue to pursue various welfare policies for the elderly and expand lifelong education opportunities so that our senior residents can enjoy healthy and happy lives."
The senior college affiliated with the Incheon Yeongjong-gu Branch of the Korea Senior Citizens Association plans to operate a range of educational programs in areas such as general education, health, and culture going forward, supporting local elderly residents in cultivating knowledge, improving health, and making good use of their leisure time.
[ Reporter Kim Mi-hee: incheonsouth@thekoreantoday.com ]
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