SINGAPORE - Two hundred and fifty seniors received certificates on Wednesday at a graduation ceremony held at Gek Poh Ville Community Club (CC).

They were the first students taking the certificate in senior wellness offered by the People's Association's (PA) Senior Academy.

The academy, launched in February this year, has received more than 4,000 registrations for courses in areas as diverse as cooking, traditional chinese medicine and playing the ukulele.

To obtain the certificate, seniors must undergo a four-month long programme comprising 10 courses.

Among the graduates are 82-year-old Madam Wong Ah Moi, currently the oldest student in the programme, who said she appreciated learning how to use a smartphone and social media to better connect with her family.

Courses under the Senior Academy are currently being offered at 15 community clubs island-wide, with PA hoping to increase the number to 20 by 2016, as well as offer courses at 5 Residents' Committee Centres.

In a speech delivered at the ceremony, Senior Minister of State for Health Dr Amy Khor said that those who attended the courses were "shining examples of positive ageing".

"Indeed, chronological age does not matter as long as we are healthy, happy and continue to grow and develop as individuals," she added.