FORMER headmaster Chua Chin Biaw, 69, the oldest graduate in Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) undergraduate programme, beat the odds to finally obtain his degree in Social Science majoring in Social Work at the university’s convocation ceremony.
The grandfather of six who was headmaster of a Chinese primary school had always dreamt of pursuing his university education but faced obstacles due to lack of funds and inadequate qualification.
However, he did not give up on his passion for life-long learning and when he stumbled upon an advertisement in a newspaper about USM’s distance learning programme for senior citizens, he decided to make use of the golden opportunity.
Well done:Jang Huei sharing in the joy of Chua who obtained his degree in Social Science. Present to share the happy occasion was Chua’s son Jang Huei, 35, a technical service chemist.
Chua said his late wife and three children gave him the encouragement and inspiration to pursue his studies.
“In fact, when I registered for my programme in July 2005, my wife was already very ill with can-cer but she told me to carry on with my studies because she knew it was my dream to study in a university,” he said after the ceremony on Thursday.
He said although he did not face any major problem during his studies, he, however, had to take extra classes to improve his English.
Chua said he wanted to pursue a degree in Social Work because he was keen on doing something for the community.
“I hope to be a role model for the younger generation so that they will not waste their golden years,’’ he said.
Chua said he had also registered for a Master’s programme at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) but had to withdraw due to eyesight problems.
Two other senior citizens who triumphed were retired schoolteacher Ismail Shafiee, 68, and his wife Sal-miah Mohamad, 64, who both re-ceived their degrees in Social Science majoring in Political Science.
Ismail said he and his wife decided to pursue their university education because they wanted to enhance their self-esteem.
“We just didn’t want to grow old and wait for our time to go. At the same time, we wanted to walk tall among our seven children, who are all graduates,” he said.
Ismail said the other reason he and Salmiah, also a retired schoolteacher, wanted to pursue their education was because Islam encouraged Muslims to seek life-long knowledge.
Apart from rushing from one building to another and having to climb up stairs for their classes, the couple said they enjoyed their lessons.
“The only difference between us and the younger students was that we would feel sleepy after just half an hour,’’ he said.
Ismail said he and his wife were continuing their studies in a Master’s programme in Islamic Development.
“In fact, the university is encouraging us to complete our studies up to PhD level but I told them that if God gives me and my wife good health, we would seriously consider it,” he said. - The Star
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