Dr May Lim, Associate Professor and Assistant Provost for Applied Learning at the Singapore Institute of Technology, is currently a visiting researcher at the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL). Here, she shares her reflections on the 2025 Cork Lifelong Learning Festival, highlighting how the experience broadened her perspective on what learning can look like across communities and contexts.

© May Lim

Having heard so much about the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival, I was eager to explore its diverse programme. I was impressed by the extensive range of activities and the strong spirit of collaboration it showcased. From a bat walk led by an ecologist to career workshops focused on employability, the city appeared to truly embody UNESCO’s definition of lifelong learning. As someone who has often associated learning mainly with acquiring knowledge and skills for education and work, my experience in Cork challenged this narrow view in a positive way. Continue reading →