Former Pahang MB Proves You're Never Too Old To Learn By Completing Law Degree At 72
Tan Sri Adnan Yaakob earned himself a spot on the Rector's List with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.62.
By Jasmine Chea — 05 Dec 2022, 12:20 PM — Updated about 2 years ago
Former Pahang menteri besar (MB) Tan Sri Adnan Yaakob proved that knowledge is power by successfully completing his law degree at age 72
According to Bernama, the 72-year-old successfully graduated with a bachelor's degree in law at the 38th International Islamic University Malaysia (UIAM) convocation ceremony, held yesterday, 4 December, at the Gombak campus.
The former Pahang MB was part of the 414 students graduating that day.
On top of completing his degree, Adnan also earned himself a spot on the Rector's List, with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.62.
Adnan said that he had to go through three semesters of his course online before being able to attend the rest of the lectures in person. However, that did not stop him from forging a close relationship with his much younger classmates, many of whom he refers to as family now.
"I was given special learning sessions with my lecturers but I managed to get to know my classmates despite being online. I regard them as my adopted children and they call me pak long, atok, and so on," Adnan joked.
Tan Sri Adnan Yaakob (right) receiving his bachelor's degree certificate in law from UIAM professor Tan Sri Dr Dzulkifli Abdul Razak (left).
Image via BernamaThis marks the second degree Adnan has received, previously graduating with a bachelor's degree in literature at Universiti Malaya (UM) 47 years ago, in 1975
The former Pahang MB said that he has always been thirsty for knowledge.
"Many people have asked me why I decided to continue studying. I have always loved learning, ever since I was a child. That is why, even though I have a degree in literature, I was still interested in expanding my knowledge," Adnan told reporters during the convocation.
Adnan also revealed that despite his age, learning comes naturally easy for him. He said that he enjoys studying with friends and finds that by surrounding himself with his peers, he could study easily.
"I prefer to be surrounded by my friends. When they come over for coffee, that's when I learn because it's faster for me. Many people wonder why if I don't have friends [around me], I can't learn," he said.
When asked if he had plans to enter the legal field, the 72-year-old said, "I plan to do so, most likely I will do chambering in Kuantan. However, I have to see if I am offered to get involved in a specific field."
Adnan told reporters that he initially wanted to pursue a bachelor's degree in law at the same institution in 1984
However, he was called forth to contest in the general election in 1986 and was appointed as the MB of Pahang in 1999. Therefore, Adnan could not continue with his studies.
He was the longest-serving Pahang MB, with 19 years of service under his belt. Adnan finally relinquished his post after the 14th General Election (GE14) in 2018.
A prominent figure in Malaysian politics, Adnan became as the Bentong UMNO division chief in 1987 and first won the Pelangai seat in 1986. He was appointed as Pahang MB in 1999 and retired on 11 October this year.
