Meet 54-Year-Old Mother Who Earned Master’s Degree 22yrs After Her First Degree, Yet Received Best Student Award

Hafizah Osman, now a 54-year-old woman, has achieved a master’s degree from Griffith University in Queensland, Australia, 22 years after she got her Bachelor’s, wins best student award.

Hafizah Osman, a 54-year-old woman, has achieved a master’s degree from Griffith University in Queensland, Australia, 22 years after earning her bachelor’s degree. Notably, she also graduated as the university’s best student.

For 21 years, Hafizah worked as a multimedia producer and news editor before transitioning to the education sector in 2017, becoming the head of e-learning at the National University of Singapore.

To excel in her new role, Hafizah returned to school in 2021 to pursue a master’s degree in Learning and Professional Development (MLPD) at Griffith University, in partnership with the Institute for Adult Learning in Singapore. She not only completed her degree but also emerged as the top student in her cohort.

Discussing the challenges of balancing work and studies, Hafizah admitted having initial reservations about the time commitment required. Reflecting on her past experience as a part-time student without family responsibilities, she acknowledged the difficulty of her new endeavor.

“Before I took the plunge, I had some reservations, especially in terms of time commitment. Having had experience as a part-time student when I was single and had no family commitments, I knew it was… a challenge,” she said.

Hafizah earned her bachelor’s degree in Language and Linguistics from the Open University in the United Kingdom while working as a multimedia producer in Singapore Press Holdings from 1996 to 1999.

She mentioned that doubts about studying at an older age were outweighed by the relevance of the further studies to her career. Hafizah’s family, especially her husband and children, provided immense support and inspiration.

“My husband is definitely my biggest supporter, cheering me on. And my children were my inspiration as they studied through Covid-19,” she said.

The Covid-19 pandemic initially forced Hafizah to undertake her master’s program online. As the appointed cohort leader, she found maintaining connections and ensuring everyone had the necessary information challenging. However, by the second year, she and her coursemates could effectively share ideas and learn from each other.

Hafizah emphasized the importance of continuous learning. “You have to continue learning because the world is changing. It’s evolving every single second, and you cannot afford to be left behind,” she said.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, StraitsTimes