Taiwan Today

"Grandma, let me help you put on your make-up!" "Grandpa, let me help you out a bit, too." Ten students taking coursework in cosmetics application and management at Ta Hwa Institute of Technology in Hsinchu County visited a senior citizens center in Qionglin Township on October 25. They helped the seniors there apply make-up and use products to take care of their skin, enabling the old folks to look their best for the Seniors Day, which is observed on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. Some of the seniors at the center were so delighted by the results that they started clapping. Many had broad smiles on their faces. Jiang Jia-yu, secretary of academic affairs at Ta Hwa, said that the institute established this cosmetics application and management course under the school's Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering two years ago for people who are already working in the beauty industry to further their education in this field. The courses also reflect the call by the Ministry of Education for university curricula to provide service to the public at the community level. All 10 of the students in the cosmetics course took advantage of a special activity honoring the aged to provide senior citizens with free make-up application and beauty treatments, as well as hand and foot massages. One elderly grandmother burst out into applause after receiving the cosmetic treatment from several students. The grandma has not used make-up for many years because her hands tremble somewhat. Her happiness infected the students, putting everyone in a great mood.