From 19 to 28 May 2026, students of the University of the Third Age at the Bratislava University of Economics and Business (EUBA) took part in a study trip to Mongolia. The delegation comprised 41 members. In addition to the U3A students, the trip was attended by senior academic officials: Ferdinand Daňo, Rector of EUBA; Zuzana Juhászová, Vice-Rector of EUBA; Rudolf Kucharčík, Dean of the Faculty of International Relations (FMV) of EUBA; Eva Stradiotová, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Applied Languages (FAJ) of EUBA; and Janka Sebera Chládecká, representing the U3A at EUBA.
The study trip was organised by AIUTA, the world organisation of universities of the third age, together with its partner institution, the Mongolian National University of Education in Ulaanbaatar.
The main objective of the trip was to develop and deepen institutional cooperation in the field of lifelong learning and senior education, to exchange professional experience, and to identify opportunities for joint academic activities.
During the working programme, the academic officials held talks with the Rector of the Mongolian National University of Education and representatives of the local academic community on strategic cooperation in senior education. Together they commemorated the 50th anniversary of the founding of AIUTA – the only worldwide international organisation of universities of the third age, at whose initiative the study trip was organised. The delegation took part in an international workshop focused on lifelong learning and the education of older adults, as well as a round table devoted to innovation in adult education, internationalisation, and the development of study programmes for seniors. In meetings with teaching staff from Mongolian universities of the third age, the participants exchanged experience regarding educational activities and the engagement of seniors in both countries. The official programme also included organised visits to significant cultural and historical landmarks, which contributed to strengthening mutual understanding and intercultural dialogue.
The working visit also featured meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Tourism of Mongolia, representatives of the Association of Seniors of Mongolia, and the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in Mongolia.
The delegation's entire stay took the form of an intensive working programme combining academic presentations, official negotiations, and strategic meetings. All members of the delegation were actively involved in professional and representational activities throughout the visit. The Rector of EUBA opened the working workshop at the Mongolian National University of Education in Ulaanbaatar with his address, and Janka Sebera Chládecká presented the U3A of EUBA in her presentation.
The U3A students had the opportunity to see, for example, the statue of Genghis Khan, Khogno Khan National Park, and the town of Kharkhorin, which lies near the site of Karakorum – the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. They also explored other landmarks of the Orkhon Valley, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is a land of nomads. On the steppe, they visited the family of a traditional Mongolian nomad and learned about their life and work. They also saw the vast sand dunes known as the Mini Gobi, along with many other historical, cultural, and natural sites of this country so distant from our own.
In closing, Ms Ivana, a U3A student, spoke on behalf of everyone: "Thank you for this wonderful study trip, from which we are bringing home memories for a lifetime. It is hard to find the words when one is so full of positive emotions. We thank our alma mater for the chance to be part of this trip, and we are proud to have been the only Slovak delegation in Mongolia – and a sizeable one at that – representing the Bratislava University of Economics and Business."
