University of Free Time celebrates tenth anniversary of its foundation
There are many renowned universities around the Czech Republic, but none of them can have as intriguing a name as Prague's University of Free Time, which is this week marking the 10th anniversary of its foundation. Unlike most universities, the University of Free Time does not have strict entrance criteria and caters to some of the less fortunate members of Czech society. Dita Asiedu spoke to one of its founders, Dana Steinova, and asked her what was unique about the institution:
"Because the University of Free Time has a very strong social subtext, it is very affordable for everybody who has plenty of free time but doesn't necessarily have enough money. This means that mothers on maternity leave can study here and unemployed people of productive age, handicapped people and senior citizens without any tuition. They are only paying a registration fee of only one hundred Czech crowns per subject per semester. That is the cost of something like six litres of milk."
Now, besides the six subjects that are being offered - the history of art, world history, world literature, the healthy life style, psychology, and Egyptology - what else do you offer your students?
"In addition to that, the students can attend different classes in the so-called Club of Mutual Understanding where their colleagues are in charge of such classes and share their skills and knowledge with their colleagues for free. In this club there are seventeen language classes, Thai Chi classes, training against osteoporosis, renaissance dance classes, yoga, painting, handicraft classes, and this means that the students are not only active by listening to lectures but also in their free time. This does not give them the time to observe their physical problems so they feel healthier than others who are not enrolled in this programme."
