73-year-old man defies odds to earn Master's degree

Michael Korir poses for a photograh after obtaining his Master's degree in Business Administration from Kenya Highlands University. [Nikko Tanui, Standard]

A  73-year-old man has captured the admiration of many after graduating with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (Human Resource option) from Kenya Highlands University, proving that determination and passion for learning have no age limit.

Michael Korir, the septuagenarian scholar, was among the 670 graduates honoured during the university’s 15th graduation ceremony held at the institution’s grounds in Kericho.

He stood out as the only student in his class above the age of 40, completing the rigorous master’s program alongside seven other classmates — four men and four women.

Korir’s milestone comes just two years after he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the same university, marking a remarkable comeback to academia decades after leaving formal education.

Speaking moments after receiving his degree, an elated Korir said his journey was driven by a long-held dream.

“Education has no age limit. I decided to go back to school to fulfil a lifelong dream. It was not easy studying alongside much younger students, but with discipline and determination, I made it,” he said.

He added that he particularly enjoys subjects many consider difficult.

“I enjoy studying mathematics, statistics, economics, and so forth. I am good at them and like them very much,” he said.

A retired officer who left the Ministry of Tourism in 2000, Korir revealed that he now intends to pursue a PhD in Business Administration, Human Resource option.

“By God’s will, I will begin the PhD classes next year,” he said confidently.

Korir, a father of four, is the first in his family to attain a master’s degree.

His daughter holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, while his sons have various diplomas from different colleges.

He noted that while many of his agemates abandoned their academic ambitions long ago, he believes age should never stand in the way of learning.

“Age is just a number. It is God who determines one’s fate. There is no age limit for one to continue gaining knowledge, especially from a university. I won’t stop until I become a university don,” he said.

Reflecting on his earlier years, Korir explained that financial struggles prevented him from furthering his education in his youth.

His father, a tea picker at James Finlay Tea Company, struggled to raise nine children, leaving Korir with no choice but to seek employment with his O-Level certificate.

“My focus was on my private business and raising my children. I paused my own education so I could provide for them,” he said.

To fund his studies later in life, Korir used his retirement benefits alongside bank, tea sacco, and coffee cooperative society loans.

He credits his academic success to discipline, hard work, abstinence from alcohol, and the grace of God. Beyond his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, he also holds a diploma in Counselling Psychology from Kenya Methodist University.

During the ceremony, Kenya Highlands University Chancellor Rev. Dr Robert Langat congratulated the graduates and urged them to uphold the values instilled in them.

“Never compromise the values you have learned in this institution. Much is expected from you, and I am confident that all of our graduates will excel and become role models,” he said.

Rev. Dr Langat added that the university aims to become a leader in research and a pioneer in providing social solutions in fields such as agribusiness.

“In a world where formal employment opportunities are shrinking, universities must become centres of innovation and research so they can impact society with solutions,” he noted.

The Chancellor also petitioned the government to release at least Sh1 billion owed to the university as capitation for government-sponsored students.

Korir’s story now stands as a powerful reminder that the pursuit of knowledge is timeless — and that it is never too late to follow one’s dreams.