Published on: Sep 10, 2025
By 2030, one in six people worldwide will be 60 years or older. This demographic shift is reshaping societies, placing new pressures not only on health care and social systems but also on post-secondary institutions, which must adapt to meet the needs of an aging population.
The university is embracing the realities of an aging population by fostering a culture that welcomes and supports people of all ages — students, faculty, staff, and community members alike — while also improving the lives of older adults through workforce development and innovation, says Dr. Chantelle Zimmer, PhD, senior manager, Centre on Aging, housed within the O’Brien Institute for Public Health at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM).
In 2018, UCalgary became one of the first major Canadian institutions to join the Age-Friendly University (AFU) global network and lead the charge to drive meaningful changes for older adults in higher education. Through its Centre on Aging, the university is building a more inclusive campus where individuals of all ages can learn, contribute, and thrive.
Advancing intergenerational teaching and learning
To strengthen teaching and learning, the Centre is collaborating with the CSM to integrate foundational aging-related content into its three undergraduate programs: Undergraduate Medical Education (UME), Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation (BCR), and Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc).
Delivery of exceptional educational experiences for learners and faculty is a vital priority for the Cumming School of Medicine, says Dr. Lisa Welikovitch, MD, senior associate dean, education, CSM. Our goal is to graduate health-care professionals who provide service to the community with an inclusive lens and an understanding of the unique circumstances that shape the ways in which clients engage with the health care system.
By assessing the existing curricula against current standards in the field of aging, the review will inform strategies to enhance aging-related education across CSM programs and increase students’ engagement with older adults throughout their studies.
As our population ages it is critical that our graduates enter the workforce with knowledge, skills, and competencies that promote age-inclusive culture. This early exposure in medical school and residency will positively impact strategies used to engage patients across a variety of disciplines, says Welikovitch.
As the collaboration with CSM continues, the Centre plans to build on this momentum by working with other faculties and departments to ensure essential aging-related content is included within their curricula.
The Centre on Aging has laid important groundwork in advancing the AFU initiative at the University of Calgary — but creating a truly age-inclusive campus requires a shared effort.
Source: https://ucalgary.ca/news/ucalgary-delivers-age-friendly-university-promise
Back to News
Empowering Innovation Through Global Conferences and Events.
© 2025 SciInov. All Rights Reserved.