Woman, 87, Honoured By Ontario Legislature For Receiving Second Master's Degree

Learning is a never-ending pursuit and 87-year-old Varatha Shanmuganathan is here to prove the same. A grandmother of seven who emigrated from Sri Lanka has become the oldest person to earn a master’s degree in political science at Canada’s York University.

Earlier this month, she was honoured at the Ontario Legislature for her inspiring dedication to education even as she changed countries and continents. In a speech, Vijay Thanigasalam, a member of the Provincial Parliament of Ontario, said Shanmuganathan secured her bachelor’s degree from the University of Madras, her first master’s degree when she was in her mid-50s at the University of London’s Birkbeck College in the UK. Today,  Shanmuganathan is the oldest person to get a master’s degree from York University as well as the oldest woman to get a graduate degree in Canada.

87-Year-Old Woman Earns Second Masters

Shanmuganathan moved to Canada in 2004. She signed up for a master’s programme in 2019 after learning about the government’s tuition waiver incentive for seniors. She secured her second master’s degree from Canada’s York University despite the challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.

In his speech, Thanigasalam called Shanmuganathan “an inspiration to the younger generation beginning their journey or our seniors looking for the next adventure.” The short clip also sees her receiving a standing ovation from members of the Ontario Legislature.

People on the internet are in of the elderly woman, who had surpassed many social beliefs about education. A user wrote, "To the ones who are self-doubting and think that it’s late in life to start anything, this story comes with so much inspiration! 87 and still rocking!" While another curiously wrote, "Want to know what keeps her going? What’s her inspiration? Such an incredible woman, more power to her."

According to CNN, Shanmugunathan’s degree is focused on the civil war in Sri Lanka and efforts to reach peace.

“This has always been a dream of mine, to study politics and earn a higher degree in it, and I am happy to have finally achieved it,” she told in an interview.

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