Grandpa graduate eyes master’s degree

Never too late: Lim receiving his scroll from Dr Fong at Utar’s 22nd convocation ceremony in Kampar.

KAMPAR: Now that he has gotten his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar), Lim Yook Sai wants to continue to a master’s degree.

The only catch is that Lim is 70 years old with three grandchildren.

In fact, Lim even had to put off his studies at the foundation level after his first grandchild was born.

“I took a longer time to complete my foundation studies because I had to take care of the baby, who was just born then,” he said in an interview.

Lim received his scroll from Utar council member Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik here yesterday.

The former inspector of works in construction said it had always been his dream to have a degree but had to put this off due to family commitments.

“I couldn’t find the time and money to further my studies. Besides, I was based in Alor Setar.

“There weren’t many private institutions there that could offer me the course I was interested in,” he said.

Finally, in 2009, Lim saw the opportunity to begin his foundation studies at the Utar Kampar campus when his youngest daughter, then 18, enrolled there.

Although he had to defer his studies again at the degree level after injuring his right hand in an accident, Lim said he was excited by the tertiary experience.

“Surprisingly, I didn’t have any problems making friends as there were some who came forward.

“But there were many others who shied away from me because they might have thought that they were too young to talk to me or that we wouldn’t have anything in common,” he said.

Lim plans to move to Penang to do his master’s.

“My wife has no problem with me moving away for a while to pursue my dream,” he said, adding that he was grateful that his family was understanding and supportive of his goals.

Lim’s wife, children and grandchildren were present during Utar’s 22nd convocation ceremony.