BANGI: "It's common for older people to forget things more quickly, and I have to learn more from younger people, but that did't stop me from completing my studies," said Zulkifly Abdullah.
At 77, Zulkifly recently graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam, Selangor, on Sept 4.
The retired Human Resources officer has proven that age is no barrier to education, and notably, this is his second degree.
Zulkifly also holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in History from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
He started his part-time law studies in 2018 and completed it in December last year.
He pursued further education out of personal interest in law, influenced by his previous work in a ministry with legal regulations, he said.
"When I was working, my focus was on my job, and I didn't consider continuing my education at that time," he said.
"After retiring, I decided to go back to school and enrolled at UKM from 2007 to 2011 at age 60. Then in 2018, I began studying law at UiTM."
He noted that continuing his education in his later years presented challenges, requiring extra effort to study and retain information.
However, he appreciated the support from his lecturers and classmates.
"My family has been very supportive. My son, Mohd Azlan, is a lawyer, and we often discuss legal matters. I also consult him when I need clarification on certain topics," he said.
Zulkifly, who is also a father of five, said that age should not prevent anyone from pursuing education.
"Education is a lifelong journey. Law requires consistent reading and effort. If you have the opportunity, continue learning regardless of your age," he said.