Learning passion: Tong is earnest about learning and being enlightened. WHEN other students were asked about the stages of human development in the classroom, they religiously pored over their textbooks looking for answers rather than staking their opinion based on personal experiences. This, however,wasn’t the case with retiree Tong Nyuk Kee.
At 60, the mother of two knows all too well about the parameters of human growth. She has experienced them first hand.
Tong was one of the three senior citizens who received their Master’s degree at the recent Universiti Malaya’s (UM) convocation ceremony.
A passion for learning was why Tong decided to enrol in the university’s postgraduate Education programme in the first place.
“I know this has been said so many times, but learning is indeed a lifelong process. You are never too old to face new challenges,” says the former senior assistant (Student’s Affairs) at SMK Sri Rahmat in Johor Baru.
Just like Tong, Datin Saidatul Badru Mohd Sais, who obtained her Master’s degree in Syariah at the age of 61, believes that age is no barrier to learning.
“To me, warga emas (senior citizen) is just a term. It does not dictate what you can or cannot do. As long as you have the will power, you should not stop yourself in the pursuit of knowledge,” she shares adding that she enjoys the learning process.
The grandmother of three, who is also actively involved in various charity organisations, cites her exuberance for life as a driving force that made her return to the ivory tower.
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| Doting grandma: Saidatul with her three grandchildren after the ceremony. |
“I have as much vitality as the other younger people and I believe that I still have much to offer to society,” says Saidatul who hails from Sabah.
The eldest of the trio, Azimah Awang Teh, 62, shares Saidatul’s sentiments.
“I don’t dwell on my age because I feel young!” exclaims the mother of five while adding that she decided to further her studies because “there is still so much to learn”.
Azimah who was conferred a Master of Usuluddin degree, hopes to use the additional knowledge she gained to preach the teachings of Islam to her family.
While all three ladies are in their “swinging sixties”, never once did they feel that age was a barrier in the presence of their younger classmates. As a matter of fact, they were easily accepted by their fellow students.
Tong attributes this to her youthful looks.
“I might be 60 but I don’t look old. That’s probably why my classmates and I get along just fine,” she jokes.
“I’ve been the mother figure in class. My younger classmates usually come to me for advice and I have always obliged them,” she shares.
While the trio had willingly gone back to their books at a time when many of their peers were slowing down, their advice to fellow seniors is to follow their dreams.
Young at heart: Azimah doesn’t dwell on her age as there is so much to learn.
They will probably have to start anew by learning the basics, but that shouldn’t deter them,” she adds.
“A lot of older people fear that they won’t be able to cope with the study workload, but they shouldn’t stress over it.
“They should just perform and try to remember what they’ve learnt,” Tong offers.
Saidatul adds that senior citizens must constantly strive to seek knowledge and hopes the government will actively advocate education not just for young people but also for older adults and the elderly too.
“I hope the relevant authorities will consider awarding education grants to senior citizens. That would definitely motivate them to further their studies,” she offers.
In fact all three women have not discounted the idea of pursuing their doctorates in the near future.
A total of 6,636 graduates from 20 faculties received their degrees and diplomas from UM this year.
Among them were Lee Heng Wai who is hearing impaired and Mohd Kalam Mazad Abdul Rahman who is blind.
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