Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In a recent press conference, the academic committee of the University System for the Elderly (SUAM) announced that the project will be implemented at the University of Guadalajara's Centro Universitario de la Costa in Puerto Vallarta.

SUAM began in the city of Guadalajara with great success, and now CUCosta will bring these benefits to the seniors in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas. No previous schooling is required to enroll, students must simply be seniors (60+ years) to participate.

The Rector of CUCosta, Dr. Marco Antonio Cortés Guardado, describes the SUAM as "offering seniors opportunities to access knowledge, culture and activities that will undoubtedly be personally enriching, while allowing them to increase their quality of life and have access to the benefits the University of Guadalajara provides to all who pass through its doors."

Historically committed to the integral development of society, SUAM aims to integrate, train and educate older adults who are interested in pursuing their education and fulfilling their intellectual needs through flexible academic programs and recreational activities according to their skills and abilities.

SUAM began in Guadalajara in 2013 with only 80 students but, to date, that number has increased to 350 enrollees. "This was an important part of the policies adopted during former rector Dr. Marco Antonio Cortés Guardado's tenure in 2012, the care of older adults, giving seniors the right to be the object of attention on a mission of continuing education throughout life. That is, education does not end with the post graduate programs, but throughout life, and we are including these older adults as part of the concerns of the University of Guadalajara," explains Dr. Juan Manuel Durán Juárez, Director of the 'Juan Jose Arreola' State Public Library.

The structure of the project focuses on health and development, humanities, computing and languages, arts, and recreation, among other activities. Some of the classes offered will be Taichi; Life and Adaptation Plan for Older Adults; The Happiness of Living; Wills and Rights of the Elderly; Computer Basics; Basic English; Danzon; Introduction to Drawing and Painting; and a Older Adult Film Series.

Registration is now open on the CUCosta campus for the first of these free workshops and courses that begin on October 14th. All SUAM courses and workshops are free and open to the (senior) public.

For more information, call (322) 226-2290 / 304/263.