General Informations about ZAWiW

In March 1994 the Zentrum für Allgemeine Wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung (ZAWiW, Centre for General Scientific Education) was founded by the University of Ulm. It was a reaction on the increasing request for general multidisciplinary education for adults of any age, especially in the "third age".

Main function of the centre is the development of innovative education programs for adults, esp. seniors, which subsequently are accompanied scientifically by the ZAWiW. The different programs refer to the interests and wishes of the participants and are intending to improve their autonomy in the sense of learning by research. Development and updating of educational concepts and programs are of special importance.

Another function of the ZAWiW is the organisation of the "Jahreszeitenakademien" (Spring and Autumn Academies) being performed twice a year and focussing a special issue of social relevance.

• encouraging the dialogue between science and citizens
• encouraging the dialogue between generations about urging social questions and social participation
• qualifying seniors for new tasks and activities in society, economy and science
• encouraging self-directed learning supported by new information and communication technologies
• showing the usefulness and improving the use of new communication technologies for seniors and organisations of senior education.
• combining different resources of general scientific education to make them usable for organisations and for individual studies