KUCHING: At 50 years old, Sarawakian S. Sivanesan has proven that age is no barrier to knowledge, fulfilling his 30-year dream of earning a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA).
His remarkable achievement stands as a testament to lifelong perseverance and the Sarawak government’s vision of cultivating a knowledgeable and educated society through continuous investment in education and human capital development.
Sivanesan, who hails from Kuching, said the achievement reflected not only his personal determination but also the success of Sarawak’s vision to build a knowledgeable and educated society, as championed by the State’s emphasis on education and human capital growth.
“After 30 years, I finally decided to make it happen. Even though I’m much older than most of my classmates, I told myself that age should never be an excuse,” said Sivanesan.
“Returning to university in my late 40s wasn’t easy. The learning environment today is very different from before but determination and adaptability made all the difference.”
His educational journey began in 1995 when he enrolled in the University of London External Programme. However, financial and career challenges forced him to halt his studies.
Despite the setback, his dream never faded and decades later, he found the courage and opportunity to try again.
He credited his success to his younger classmates who offered constant support and encouragement throughout his studies.
“I admire the younger generation for their respect, good manners, and openness. We learned from each other they helped me with technology and modern learning tools while I shared life experience and perseverance,” he said.
Having officially graduated, Sivanesan will begin his chambering at a legal firm next week, moving a step closer to becoming a qualified lawyer.
“This is not the end, but a new beginning,” he said. “I hope my story inspires more Sarawakians young and old to keep learning, because knowledge is timeless.”
He expressed deep gratitude to his wife, Fazilak William Timri, 48, for her unwavering support.
“My wife has been my greatest strength throughout this journey. This achievement is as much hers as it is mine.”
