BTU is taking part in the nationwide survey on continuing academic education for older people in 2023

The Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung für Ältere (BAG WiWA) promotes and supports academic continuing education for older people, e.g. through public relations work, information, exchange of experience, cooperation
and conceptual developments. In order to provide reliable findings on participants and offerings,
the BAG WiWA working group on research questions and statistics initiated and developed the "Sample questionnaire for continuing academic education" (BAG WiWA sample questionnaire 2019). By using a largely standardized questionnaire for local surveys, the aim is to gradually create a comprehensive data basis that enables Germany-wide, cross-location key figures and a database for scientific analyses in the field of post-professional academic continuing education.
The survey includes study-related and participation-specific aspects as well as the evaluation of the offer by the
participants, such as

• study behavior
• Preferences and motives
• Social contacts with other stakeholders
• Satisfaction, effects, wishes
• Social environment, commitment
• View of science
• Own educational biography
• Socio-demographic information

The 2023 survey was conducted as a synchronized online survey in the summer semester of 2023 at 15 university locations,
mostly member locations of the BAG WiWA. When acquiring the survey locations, the focus was on the needs and
organizational possibilities of the institutions. Nevertheless, an
institution could be found in most of the federal states, so that a diverse spectrum of continuing academic education for
older people in Germany is represented. The results are discussed at this cross-university level and possible steps are derived.

142 guest auditors from BTU's WISSEN FÜR ALLE guest auditor program took part in the participant survey over the past two semesters. The results are communicated to the BTU and serve as a data basis for future planning and developments at the Centre for Continuing Education. Starting points are, for example, the very good digital competence, the expansion of intergenerational offers and the bridging offers from work to academic further education. Further exchange rounds are planned, for example within the framework of the participants or even beyond in the senior citizens' advisory council of the city of Cottbus.