World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
71-year-old Singaporean graduates with Chinese language degree after early struggles
Wong Yee Keong graduated at 71 with a bachelor's degree in Chinese language and literature from the Singapore University of Social Sciences.
The Singaporean is the university's oldest graduate this year and one of nine retirees graduating.
He spent more than 40 years at Keppel Shipyard, rising from apprentice to marine engineering manager before retiring in 2019.
He later studied for a diploma, then applied to SUSS in 2022 after reading about another graduate in his 70s.
His first application was unsuccessful, but he asked for another chance and received advice on how to strengthen it.
At university, he struggled with Chinese typing and earned a D+ in his first examination because he had never learned Hanyu Pinyin.
Encouraged by his department head, he kept studying and fulfilled a degree ambition he had once thought impossible.
Wong Yee Keong, 71, graduated from the Singapore University of Social Sciences with a bachelor's degree in Chinese language and literature.
He is the university’s oldest graduate this year and one of nine retirees graduating.
Wong worked at Keppel Shipyard for more than 40 years before retiring in 2019.
He struggled at first because he had not learned Hanyu Pinyin and could not type Chinese quickly.
After receiving a D+ in his first examination, he continued studying and fulfilled a lifelong ambition to earn a university degree.
- Who
- Wong Yee Keong, 71, a retired marine engineering manager and grandfather of three.
- What
- He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Chinese language and literature from SUSS.
- When
- Tuesday, Oct 13, 2026.
- Where
- The Singapore University of Social Sciences in Singapore.
- Why
- He pursued a lifelong ambition to earn a university degree.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Wong joined Keppel Shipyard as an apprentice and later became a marine engineering manager.
Wong retired after a career of more than 40 years at Keppel Shipyard.
After reading about a SUSS graduate in his 70s, Wong decided to apply to the university.
Wong's first application was unsuccessful, but he sought another chance and received advice on strengthening his application.
Wong graduated from SUSS with a bachelor's degree in Chinese language and literature.
- Age
- 71
- Degree
- Bachelor's in Chinese language and literature
- University
- Singapore University of Social Sciences
- Career
- More than 40 years at Keppel Shipyard
- First examination result
- D+
- Graduation date
- Oct 13, 2026
What people are saying
I was completely lost. Every student around me was typing quickly, while I couldn't even type a single word
It was painful and frustrating because I knew the answers … Everything was already in my head – I simply couldn’t type it.
I can't wait to tell them I've graduated with a degree. Even though they’re no longer here, I feel that I’ve fulfilled that wish for them.
When I learnt I was accepted into the programme, I jumped in joy. I was one step to achieving a lifelong dream that I thought would have been impossible at my age.
Sources
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