Elderly Scholars on the Rise: Seniors Surpass Guest Lecturers at Thuringian Universities
A higher number of senior academics compared to hotel employees at Thuringian universities. - Elderly individuals invited as keynote speakers at universities in Thuringia
Ready for a history lesson or a deep dive into psychology? At Thuringian universities, more seniors than guest lecturers are climbing the academic ladder—and that's a fact! During the winter semester 2023/24, a whopping 159 seniors aged 60 and above held the title of guest lecturer, accounting for almost 65% of all guest lecturers, as reported by the Statistical Office in Erfurt. That's a significant boost from the previous year, where 61.2% of the guest lecturers were seniors! The eldest scholar among them? An incredible 90 years old!
Guest lecturers have the opportunity to attend courses or lectures at Thuringian universities without requiring higher education. In the winter semester of 2023/24, statisticians counted an impressive 245 guest lecturers roaming the halls of Thuringian academia—the same number as the previous year.
The majority of these silver-haired scholars honed their knowledge at the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, closely followed by the University and the University of Applied Sciences in Erfurt. History was the most popular subject these knowledge seekers studied, with Philosophy and Psychology close behind.
Interested in knowing why seniors are soaking up all that knowledge at Thuringian universities? Many institutions, including those in Thuringia, often embrace seniors as valuable members of the academic community, featuring them in lifelong learning programs, mentorship roles, and as guest lecturers that share their real-world experiences.
Seniors at Thuringian universities may also engage in collaborative projects or research initiatives that harness their insights and unique perspectives. Popular subjects among seniors might include areas where life experience adds tremendous value, such as business, history, environmental studies, or health sciences. But remember, these are just educated guesses; the universities themselves should be consulted for the specific trends and popular subjects among our age-defying scholars.
Vocational training for seniors might be a new addition to the community policy at Thuringian universities, given the increasing number of older scholars participating in education-and-self-development and mentorship roles. The general news of elderly scholars overtaking guest lecturers could pave the way for more vocational training opportunities in various fields such as business, history, environmental studies, or health sciences.
