Holding a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) at the age of 80
Kuala Lumpur: The age factor is not a barrier to completing studies at the highest level until successfully grasping a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at the age of 80.
Yeop Ali Mohd Dobi, who started his studies at the PhD level 10 years ago at the age of 70, continues to commit to success despite facing various challenges.
The desire of the former General Manager of a local bank to continue his PhD studies to ensure that his time is always occupied during his golden age, to learn new things.
“During my retirement 15 years ago, I had a mild stroke and at that time I was determined to do something to fill my retirement days.
“After recovering, I continued my PhD studies at the age of 70 and at the age of 80 I successfully completed it,” he told Astro AWANI on Saturday.
Dr Yeop Ali had to be in a wheelchair due to health reasons when receiving a scroll from AeU Chancellor, Tan Sri Dr Syed Hamid Albar at the convocation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur – Photo/Youtube/AeU
In the Asia E University (AeU) Convocation ceremony in the capital on Saturday, Yeop Ali’s study related to Pos Malaysia Bhd’s business and Pos Laju delivery customer service was also named as the Best Study 2022.
Telling about the 10-year experience that was so meaningful to complete this PhD, Yeop Ali always spends his time in the library and discussing with friends and study supervisors.
“I’m old-fashioned , I rarely use the internet to find information, I get a lot of information from the library, where I spend a lot of time.
“At the beginning of the studies, a total of 200 friends fought to finish their PhD, but only 10 finished, there were friends my age who didn’t have time to finish because of infirmity and some died,” he said.
His interest in knowledge and academic studies from a young age when he also holds two Master’s Degrees namely Master of Science and Business and Master of Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom.
Looking back at his results at school level is not something to be proud of, but when he was already working, he admitted that only education was able to develop his career.
“When I was in school at Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid (KSAS) Alor Setar, I only got the third grade, then I worked.
“I saved the income and used it to continue my studies in the United Kingdom without any sponsorship or support from my family,” he explained.
He explained that a large amount of his income while working was used to gain knowledge and do academic research.
The eldest of seven siblings from Pengkalan Pegoh, Ipoh admits that his efforts to graduate would not have been successful without the support of his family.
Together with her two children, Shelly (right) and Syana (left) who became the backbone of Dr Yeop Ali in completing his PHD studies – Photo/HafiziRosli
Currently, he is active as a forum panel and seminar to inspire young people who still have the ability to continue their studies at the highest level.
Yeop Ali is also currently active as an academic researcher with his study supervisor Prof Oo Yu Hock and hopes if given the opportunity to become a teaching staff at any higher education institution.
source – Hafizi Rosli
