SHAH ALAM - It was the most fulfilling day in Nor Sa'adah@Aziah Zakariah's life when she received her degree.
The 61-year-old single mother of four said: "This is more exciting than the day I got married."
Nor Sa'adah began studying for a Bachelor of Education in Teaching English as a Second Language at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam at the age of 55.
Before that, she had worked with construction firms, and also had experience translating Bahasa Malaysia to English.
She said education was important, even at her age.
"It appears that experience is not a major requirement nowadays. People refused to recognise my working experience.
"I wanted to change that perception."
Nor Sa'adah said she was in need of a job to support herself, and she hoped that it could be achieved with a degree.
"At this age, I can't work for the government.
"I'm considered too old. I have gone through the training process of becoming a teacher.
"I've tried applying to private schools and colleges, but no one would hire me because of my age," she said after the graduation ceremony yesterday.
"I am appealing to the Education Ministry to recognise people like me, capable English teachers, who are unemployed."
Nor Sa'adah created history as UiTM's oldest student.
"It was tough for me, being older than the rest. Not only did I have to commute daily from Banting to Shah Alam for classes, but I also had to keep up with the younger students.
"This degree is for my family, for supporting me. More importantly, this degree is for me, and I'm glad I had decided to do this."
