70-year-old retiree who just graduated from med school offers valuable advice about pursuing dreams

Some people are living proof that it is never too late to start a new career path. No matter how different the new venture may be, with determination and mental fortitude, one can nail it in no time. The best example of this would be a 70-year-old Malaysian who graduated from medical school this July. Toh Hong Keng, an executive based in Hong Kong, retired at the age of 65 and decided to explore the world of medicine, according to the South China Morning Post. To fulfill his quest for knowledge, he chose the Southwestern University (SWU) PHINMA in Cebu, Philippines. 

Up until around six years ago, Hong Keng worked in sales and marketing in Hong Kong. While most retirees would love to live a slow life or travel the world after years of toiling, 65-year-old Hong Keng was determined to pursue a degree in medicine. Thanks to a trip to Kyrgyzstan, the man was inspired by two Indian medical students who drove him to this unexpected endeavor. "The only reason why I decided to study medicine was because I wanted something useful to do. I’ve done different courses. I’ve done economics, I’ve done chemistry, I’ve done electronic engineering – but I don’t want to do that again," Hong Keng told CNN.

While pursuing a medical degree is no cakewalk for even young students, the retiree had to go through his own tribulations. Apart from the tons of complex lessons, frequent exams and a one-year setback in his third year when he failed a pediatrics exam, Hong Keng also had to complete a one-year hospital placement in public and private hospitals. "At 65 to 70 years old, my memory, eyesight, hearing and body are not as good as when I was younger," he told the outlet. At times, there were 30-hour shifts every three days and the 70-year-old aced it like a pro. In fact, Hong Keng wanted to give up on his medical degree several times. But a little motivation from his younger classmates kept him going.

His considerate peers often told him, "Sir Toh. If you give up now, it will be sayang," where "Sayang" in Tagalog means that it would be a shame to give up. In Southwestern University PHINMA's video tribute to Hong Keng on Instagram, the 70-year-old shared, "My brother was saying that I was wasting my time and my money. I think it's the right thing to do because I can help myself and also, I can help my friends and family." With this wholesome cause, he persevered through the tough courses every year and in the end, he felt that "it was worth it."

Hong Keng's remarkable achievement received a standing ovation during the university's graduation ceremony. Currently, the 70-year-old has no intention of pursuing a post-graduate degree in medicine due to his age. However, he hopes to find work in sales and marketing of medical devices while also seeking to write a book on nutrition and weight management. "If [being] a medical doctor is really your dream, particularly for those who are already in the healthcare profession, don't hesitate, go for it. If I can do it, you can too," Hong Keng told the South China Morning Post. He strongly believes that anyone can pursue this field at any age. Speaking to CNN, he added, "Studying medicine is intensive and extensive, but it's not that hard, it's just hard work."