The Taipei Department of Education yesterday said it is launching an extended-studies voucher program for seniors, offering vouchers of up to NT$3,000 for courses that it expects to benefit thousands.
The program aims to encourage seniors to devote themselves to lifelong learning.
From next month through May, the department is offering 36 free “taster” courses on subjects such as health and information, creative handicrafts and financial management in retirement to all seniors who are a registered resident of Taipei, the department said.
The vouchers would be available from June, and would cover part of the tuition fees for seniors enrolling in summer or fall courses at community colleges, it said.
Those who can prove that they are low-income or low-to-middle-income residents of Taipei would receive vouchers for up to NT$3,000 in course fees, it said, adding that seniors who do not fall into that category would qualify for vouchers of up to NT$1,000.
All eligible seniors, defined as being 65 or older, can sign up for the program at their local community college immediately, the department said.
Registration for the vouchers would start by June, with the details of when and where to apply to be announced later, the department said.
At a trial event yesterday, the department invited Weng Ho Kuang-mei (翁何光美), who studies at Shilin Community College, to share her experiences.
Weng Ho has studied Japanese at the college since 1999.
She said that she had returned for the past 24 years without fail because the teachers encouraged the students to keep learning, saying the constant mental activity would prevent their brains from regressing.
The college has also kept up with the times, as she had wanted to take some days off due to knee surgery, but the teacher encouraged her to use a tablet computer and join the class remotely, Weng Ho said.
She said that learning a foreign language after she turned 70 has opened up her mind, enabling her to become more accepting of new things.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
RSS