Date of Publication :17th December 2024

Abstract: The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a thriving adult education initiative that offers older adults a variety of activities aimed at enhancing their well-being during their later years. The first U3A began functioning in Kazakhstan in 2021. Over the past three years, this vector of education has already achieved a degree of recognition in our society. However, there are also a number of controversial opinions about the future of the U3A in Kazakhstan. This paper analyzes the implementation of this innovative form of lifelong learning, based on the semi-annual reports of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The purpose isto address the main trends, perspectives and obstacles that the project has faced. Using the method of systematic review and analysis of secondary data, the paper answers several research questions: how has the number of the U3A programs and learners in Kazakhstan changed throughout the 3-year period? How have trends in popular U3A programs changed? What are the perspectives and potential dangers of the U3A realization in Kazakhstan? The results of the study indicated that, despite an increase in the number of older people within the period of 2022-2023, the U3A still face a lack of interest from the elderly in Kazakhstan. Based on the reported results, the article considers future potential for the development of lifelong education /U3A in Kazakhstan.

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