Uni courses offered to those over 50 as part of study

UTAS is offering up several courses, including bachelors of business, nutrition and science for free – but there’s a catch.

TASMANIANS over 50 are being invited to study at the University of Tasmania for free, in exchange for taking part in a major dementia study.

Diplomas in languages, fine arts and music, as well as bachelors of business, agricultural science, nutrition studies and marine and Antarctic science, are among the courses being offered for free as part of the ISLAND (Island Study Linking Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disease) Project, which aims to understand who is at most risk of dementia and look at ways to prevent it.

About 10,000 Tasmanians have registered to be part of the study since it began a year ago, but 10,000 more are needed.

Leanne Atkins will study the University of Tasmania's free Family History course. Picture: PATRICK GEE

The latest initiative, ISLAND Campus, gives participants the chance to enrol in a select range of UTAS courses, free of tuition fees, in return for helping researchers measure the impact of university education on dementia risk.

The ISLAND Project is run by the The Wicking Dementia Centre, a global leader in dementia research and education, that is part of the University of Tasmania’s College of Health and Medicine.

Most of the risk for dementia is associated with ageing. But international research has indicated about a third of dementia cases may be prevented if modifiable risk factors are addressed.

Wicking Centre director, Professor James Vickers, said since the ISLAND Project was launched last June, 10,000 Tasmanians had signed up.

The ISLAND Campus initiative was launched two weeks ago, and 500 Tasmanians have already signed up for free university study, with courses starting next month and in semester one next year.

MORE NEWS:

• Stay firm on border call, Premier: Chocolate guru
• SNEAK PEEK: Inside Tassie town’s steamy secret
• Embattled councillor reveals cost of complaints

The project is internationally significant because it aims to reduce the incidence of dementia in a whole population.

If researchers can show they can reduce risk behaviours in our state, it will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

“Through 10 years of the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Wicking Centre researchers have established that older adults who engage in university education gain a cognitive benefit that may help to provide resilience to dementia,” Prof Vickers said.

Launceston nurse Leanne Atkins has signed up to start a Diploma in Family History next month.

A lifelong learner, Mrs Atkins began her career as an early childhood teacher before retraining as a nurse.

The 60-year-old history lover has always wanted to learn more about her family history.

She has also seen how debilitating dementia can be for patients and their families, so the ISLAND Project seemed a perfect fit for her.

To find out more visit utas.edu.au/island-campus