Goyang City Strengthens Citizen-Customized Lifelong Learning... Realizing a Sustainable Learning City

A Neighborhood Ideal for Learning Together, 'Goyang'
Offering Diverse and High-Quality Courses by Field and Season
Focus on 4th Industrial Revolution and Digital Disadvantaged Education
Support for Midlife Career Reboot Linked with All Local Universities
‘Nopbit Hope School’ and More Fulfilling Lifelong Learning Dreams... Providing Opportunities for Academic Qualification

Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, attending the '2024 Goyang City Lifelong Learning Festival.'

Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) is strengthening the creation of lifelong learning environments tailored to each life stage so that everyone can easily enjoy learning. The city plans to spread a culture of lifelong learning by operating various citizen-centered lifelong learning programs and establishing a system where people can learn together and continue their education.

According to Goyang City on the 4th, various learning programs will be operated this year under the goal of "Learning Together in Goyang." To expand citizen participation in lifelong learning, a total of 42 courses will be offered, including 24 regular courses in the first and second halves of the year, as well as vacation and seasonal programs. Reflecting citizens' requests, experiential programs with families and weekend and evening classes have also been established.

On the 19th of last month, the "2024 Goyang City Lifelong Learning Festival" was held at Ilsan Lake Park. Lifelong learning institutions, organizations, and clubs gathered in one place to share lifelong learning achievements and create a learning culture space where citizens learn together. The opening ceremony began with poetry recitations by learners from "Nopbit Hope School," a literacy education institution recognized by Goyang City, followed by various experiential booths, exhibitions, and performances that provided both inspiration and enjoyment.

'Implementing Chat GPT Fairy Tales' Regular Course.

In particular, courses related to the 4th Industrial Revolution, such as artificial intelligence (AI), Chat GPT, and drone education, were intensively organized. Additionally, education on YouTube filming, video editing, and digital literacy for the digitally disadvantaged was strengthened, receiving high satisfaction from learners.

Meanwhile, the city revised its ordinance to make learning fees paid starting this year to improve the quality and participation rate of lifelong learning courses. The policy aims to provide qualitatively enhanced lifelong learning courses by securing excellent instructors and raising learners' participation awareness.

Since 2022, the city has opened the "Goyang City New Middle-Aged University" through agreements with four local universities: Nonghyup University, Dongguk University, Joongbu University, and Korea Aerospace University.

Opening Ceremony of 'Goyang City Senior University' for the Second Half of 2024.

These courses target middle-aged residents aged 50 to 65 living in the area, helping them redesign their lives and support new leaps forward. After taking the common course "New Middle-Aged New Career Design," which helps understand the rapidly changing era, participants can join various specialized courses prepared by each university, including ▲employment and entrepreneurship ▲returning to farming and rural areas ▲law ▲liberal arts, and more.

In the second half of this year, the following courses will be offered until December: ▲Nonghyup University’s "Herb Master Course" and "Urban Agriculture Course," ▲Dongguk University’s "Drone Operation and New Media Video Editing Expert Course" and "Life Redesign Coaching for New Middle-Aged," ▲Joongbu University’s "New Middle-Aged! Exploring Humanities," and ▲Korea Aerospace University’s "Science Leader Training Course (for women with career breaks)." Upon completion of this year's courses, a total of 14 courses and 194 sessions will have been conducted, producing 592 graduates.

The city plans to continue supporting new life challenges for the new middle-aged by providing opportunities ranging from self-exploration to acquiring practical knowledge and exploring new jobs or entrepreneurial opportunities.

‘Goyang-si Senior University’ Korea Aerospace University Image Making Lecture.

For seniors who missed learning opportunities, the Wonheung Lifelong Learning Center (Nopbit Hope School) and six welfare centers?Deokyang Haengsin, Munchon 7, Munchon 9, Wondang, Ilsan, and Huindol Comprehensive Social Welfare Centers?are promoting adult literacy education projects.

In particular, "literacy education recognized for academic achievement" grants elementary and middle school academic equivalency to adult learners who missed formal education opportunities upon completing the program. At Nopbit Hope School in Goyang City, elementary levels 3 through middle school levels 1, 2, and 3 are offered, and at Munchon 9 Social Comprehensive Welfare Center, elementary level 3 courses are conducted.

Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, is delivering a greeting at the graduation ceremony of the first class of the Nopbit Hope School middle school program.

Currently, 73 students are attending classes at Nopbit Hope School, operated directly by Goyang City. The school opened in 2021, graduated its first elementary course students in 2022, and in February of this year, 17 learners with an average age of 69 completed the full three-year middle school course for the first time. Among the graduates, some adult learners have continued their studies by enrolling at Goyang Songam High School, a recognized academic high school.

Mayor Lee Dong-hwan of Goyang Special City said, "Goyang City is realizing a learning city united through learning based on excellent infrastructure," and added, "We will continue to move toward a sustainable lifelong learning city so that people and the city can grow together."

Meanwhile, at the "2024 National and Gyeonggi-do Adult Literacy Education Poetry and Painting Exhibition" held last September, a total of 42 literacy learners from Goyang City were honored with awards. The city plans to continue supporting more learners to discover the joy of learning through literacy education and improve their quality of life.