The research sought to establish university students' understanding of lifelong learning and how these students are influenced to be lifelong learners (LLL). A sample of 114 was randomly selected from the university's five schools. Questionnaires were distributed as data collection tools and findings analysed using SPSS. Findings revealed that respondents assumed that LLL was for working adult students housed in the Institute of Lifelong Learning. The concept of LLL is not common among people

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... communities and schools. Students associated LLL with learning in the confines of a classroom/lecture room and this being for adults who missed the opportunity of learning during their school days. The study established that the majority of students learnt about LLL when they came to the university and understood in principle, that LLL has no boundaries and it embraces formal, informal and non-formal education. Students were influenced to be lifelong learners through media, friends and family. The role of LLL in people's lives from the students' perspectives was the development of skills, competencies, innovation and creativity. The university should come up with a programme that orients students with issues of LLL so that students understand what LLL is all about and an awareness programme to be carried out in the schools. This programme should aim to reach out to school pupils and communities to develop the desire to learn, read and improve oneself.