Celebrating 15 Years of SUSS Gerontology: A Milestone of Growth and Community

In commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons, the SUSS Gerontology Programme celebrated its 15th Anniversary alongside this year’s Time of Your Life (TOYL) celebration event, jointly organised by the National Library Board (NLB) and SUSS, at the National Library on 1 October.

Leaders and Experts exchange ideas on building age- and dementia-friendly communities in Singapore

The event brought together sector leaders, researchers, practitioners, and advocates to explore topics such as technology, policy, and community initiatives, as well as their impact on ageing and dementia-friendly communities in Singapore. Discussions featured rich exchanges on smart living, assistive technologies, dementia inclusion, and innovations in community care, while also showcasing the work and perspectives of the Gerontology faculty and recipients of the Vincent & Rosemary Khoo Award.

In the evening, SUSS Gerontology celebrated its 15-year journey with an anniversary dinner, bringing together over 120 graduates and partners who have shaped its success. This gathering of faculty, students, and alums provided an opportunity to connect and exchange ideas beyond the classroom. Faculty members were also heartened to see former students actively contributing to Singapore’s ageing landscape today.

The celebration highlighted SUSS’s significant contributions to ageing education and community impact in Singapore. Since its inception, the programme has evolved into a vibrant learning community, offering a comprehensive continuum of gerontology education that reflects the multi-sectoral nature of ageing in the nation.

Deputy Provost A/Prof Allan Chia presented Chancellor Mdm Halimah Yacob with a floral papercraft handmade by seniors from NTUC Health Active Ageing Centre (Pioneer).

Special thanks to the seniors from Lion Befrienders’ Active Ageing Centre (Ghim Moh), who assembled the table gifts with cheerful teamwork and care, adding a heartfelt touch to the evening.

Continuing the spirit of celebration, the National Celebration of Seniors (NCOS) 2025, organised by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), was launched on 4 October 2025 at Our Tampines Hub, drawing over 3,000 seniors on its opening day. This annual national initiative honours the aspirations, strengths, and contributions of seniors, while promoting active ageing and encouraging meaningful community engagement.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Gan Kim Yong officiates the launch of the National Celebration of Seniors (NCOS) 2025 at Our Tampines Hub.

As part of NCOS 2025, SUSS partnered with the National Library Board (NLB) to present an engaging booth experience that builds on highlights from the TOYL Celebration 2025. The interactive exhibition featured digital products designed to enhance senior well-being and digital engagement, a game installation promoting digital literacy, and the Age+ Living Lab pop-up, which demonstrated how gerontechnology supports seniors and caregivers in ageing well and independently.

Smiles all around at the SUSS–NLB booth at NCOS 2025, featuring highlights from the Time of Your Life Celebration.

Through initiatives like these, SUSS and its Gerontology Programmes continue to champion lifelong learning, digital inclusion, and active ageing, ensuring that seniors remain connected, empowered, and informed in today’s evolving landscape. As Singapore’s population continues to age, the programme remains committed to providing flexible and experiential learning that equips professionals to support ageing well across communities.

Explore our Graduate Diploma and PhD programmes in Gerontology to learn how you can play a part in meeting the needs of Singapore’s rapidly ageing population.

Graduate diploma: https://www.suss.edu.sg/programmes/detail/graduate-diploma-in-gerontology-gdger

PhD programme: https://www.suss.edu.sg/programmes/detail/phd-in-gerontology-phger