April 15, 2009

VCU Virginia Center on Aging Director Edward F. Ansello participates in Gerontology International Synthesis Conference 2009

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By Mike Porter

Virginia Center on Aging Director Edward F. Ansello, (center), was the keynote speaker at the Gerontology International Synthesis Conference 2009 at Andhra University in India. Here, he meets informally with two university students. Photo provided by Edward Ansello.
Virginia Center on Aging Director Edward F. Ansello, (center), was the keynote speaker at the Gerontology International Synthesis Conference 2009 at Andhra University in India. Here, he meets informally with two university students. Photo provided by Edward Ansello.

Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Center on Aging Director Edward F. Ansello, Ph.D., recently participated in the Gerontology International Synthesis Conference 2009 at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam, India. The Virginia Center on Aging is part of the School of Allied Health Professions.

The theme of the conference, “Youth is a Gift – Age is an Art,” promoted gerontology as the study of aging throughout the entire course of life. The conference also examined gerontology education methods, including interdisciplinary practice, business networking and environmental resources.

Ansello, past president of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, delivered the keynote address. He discussed the importance of using a gerontology “curriculum palette,” whereby each country or region could make gerontology curriculum choices that are appropriate for its culture and relevant for its people.

Ansello said the experience of growing older varies around the world and gerontology must embrace this variety by having, in addition to a common core, a multidisciplinary curriculum with broad, international applications.

“Countries have unique thumbprints and gerontology programs should reflect that,” Ansello said. “For example, what’s valuable in the United States may not be worthwhile when we to go Bangladesh. The palette approach allows ‘local artists’ to pick the programs best suited for their populations.”

The selection of Andhra University to host the 2009 conference represents the first time the conference has been held outside of Japan.

Ansello (left) meets former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who delivered opening remarks at the conference. Photo provided by Edward Ansello.
Ansello (left) meets former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who delivered opening remarks at the conference. Photo provided by Edward Ansello.

“We are trying to help this university establish the first gerontology program in all of India,” Ansello said. “The potential for VCU to play a role to assist this university through distance education is inspiring, especially if you consider more people now recognize that gerontology needs to include aspects of philosophy, religion, business and technology, all of which we already offer at VCU,” Ansello said. 

The conference took place March 12 through 14 and attracted more than 200 gerontology experts and advocates from around the world. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India’s 11th president, delivered the convocation speech.