Rethinking the Role of Universities in an Aging Society : From the Perspective of Age-Friendly Universities(AFU)

This study explores the possibility of introducing the Age-Friendly University (AFU) model as a new role for universities from a lifelong education perspective and its implementation strategies in Korean society, which is facing rapid aging. Through literature review, the concept and principles of the AFU model were examined, and advanced overseas cases were analyzed. The results showed that the AFU model could have positive effects in various aspects, including strengthening universities' social responsibility, responding to the decrease in school-age population, expanding lifelong learning opportunities for the elderly, and promoting intergenerational integration. Implementation strategies for a Koreanstyle AFU model were presented, including institutional support measures, directions for curriculum and program development, and universitycommunity cooperation models. This study is significant in that it contributes to the paradigm shift in university education by presenting a new role for universities as lifelong education institutions in an aging society, and provides practical guidelines for policymakers and university officials. Further research is suggested for empirical verification of the AFU model and development of a model reflecting Korea's cultural and social characteristics.