No end to learning: 75-year-old Emirati gets Master’s degree
Selfie with son from his graduation ceremony loved by social media users
Dubai: A 75-year-old Emirati is receiving a lot of love online after his son tweeted a selfie from the elderly man’s graduation ceremony.
Ali Mohammad Naji decided to go back to college after retiring from his job and graduated from a two-year-MBA course yesterday. His son, Fahed Ali, shared selfies from the ceremony on Twitter and wrote: “My father at age 75 decided to continue his education. Today was his graduation ceremony and he was awarded a Master’s degree. Proud of you father #UAE.”
My father at age 75 years old decided to continue his education. Today his graduation ceremony & awarded Master Degree.
— Fahed Ali (@Fahed_1983) October 19, 2018
Proud of your father ✌️#UAE pic.twitter.com/CZz7RYZvgR
The tweet quickly received almost a thousand retweets and 1,900 likes. Speaking to Gulf News, Ali said he was surprised by the attention the post got as he just meant to share a personal moment on his account.
“My father is retired now and because of all his responsibilities at work and home he could not complete his Master’s degree. He went to school and then was sponsored to do a higher diploma in Scotland back in 1980 during his services in Adnoc. Now, that he has more time, he decided to go back to university,” Ali told Gulf News.
Naji hopes his story will set an example for his children, grandchildren as well as Emiratis everywhere.
“There is no end to getting knowledge, whenever time permits. A person could be occupied at certain times in his life but then he should pick up the chance to learn, whenever time is available. Time is precious so you better utilitse it in the right way, which would help you and your community,” he said.
“My sincere gratitude to our leaders in the UAE who are giving full support and eliminating all obstacles towards education and knowledge,” he added
Naji’s story resonated with a lot of social media users, with tweeps sending messages congratulating Ali and his father on the accomplishment.
@Mohamed_NL7 tweeted: “Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. I’m filled with happiness! Mabrook!”
@Marmar_Q added: “I am applying for my MBA and am currently facing huge difficulties with my GMAT [Graduate Management Admission Test]. Seeing this gave me a boost of positivity. [He is a] role model.”
Uh Congratulations 😭💓💓💓💓 pic.twitter.com/ng7yQbXq3d
— ﮼الفردوس (@Dode2_S) October 20, 2018
An investment in knowledge pays the best interest 👍🇦🇪💰 I’m proud of people as your baba.
— uaetraderaziza (@uaetraderaziza) October 20, 2018
The messages were a pleasant surprise to both the father and son, with Ali tweeting an update today: “Good Morning. All replies and acknowledgements have been reviewed personally by my father, which made our last night spectacular!”
Good Morning 🌞
— Fahed Ali (@Fahed_1983) October 20, 2018
All replies & acknowledgements have been reviewed personally by my father which made our last night spectacular!!
Thank you everyone 🤲 , it was a great event & experience it taught us that the age is not obstacle, chase your passion & goals whatever it take 💪