ID :
184827
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 09:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/184827
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73-YEAR-OLD EX-ELECTION PANEL MEMBER GRADUATES FROM LSE
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) -- The recent convocation ceremony at the famed London School of Economics of the University of London was the proudest moment for 73-year-old Abang Roseli Abang Paleng, a former member of the Election Commission.
Sarawak-born Abang Roseli had to struggle between work and family
commitments, including tending to his wife who was diagnosed with breast cancer before finally getting his Bachelor of Science degree in Politics and International Relations.
Abang Roseli who served the Election Commission for over 30 years until his retirement in 2004 was among some 900 graduates from 180 countries who received their degrees under the university's International Programme at the March 8 convocation in London.
Also present was the university's Chancellor, Princess Anne.
"Under this programme, international students are given up to a maximum of eight years to complete their studies and I managed to do just that," said the veteran election official with vast experience in overseeing elections up and down the country for three decades.
Abang Roseli now lives in Kuching, the capital of East Malaysia state of Sarawak, with wife Mariam Bong and divides his time between his family of five children, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
For this former teacher before he joined the Election Commission, going to university was a lifelong dream but he had not had that opportunity until he enrolled for the off-campus programme at LSE in 2002.
The year 2006 was a particularly traumatic one for him when his wife was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and he had to focus all his attention and energy on her treatment and care until her full recovery in 2009.
"I would like my story to be an inspiration everywhere that one is never too old to pick up a degree.
"And that despite the challenges in life, we must try our best to get a good formal education," he said.
Abang Roseli said he was able to obtain his degree with hard work,
persistence and "of course, prayers".
He also urged all non-graduate retirees to follow his footsteps and
enrol in a degree programme.
"Nowadays, the Internet has made learning more accessible to all. There are more options available now for people to further their studies compared to when I started years ago. Take the opportunity, equip yourself for the challenges out there," he said.
Asked about his future plans, he said: "InsyaAllah (God willing), my next step will be to obtain a Master's degree in Political Science from another prestigious university, but closer to home."
Sarawak-born Abang Roseli had to struggle between work and family
commitments, including tending to his wife who was diagnosed with breast cancer before finally getting his Bachelor of Science degree in Politics and International Relations.
Abang Roseli who served the Election Commission for over 30 years until his retirement in 2004 was among some 900 graduates from 180 countries who received their degrees under the university's International Programme at the March 8 convocation in London.
Also present was the university's Chancellor, Princess Anne.
"Under this programme, international students are given up to a maximum of eight years to complete their studies and I managed to do just that," said the veteran election official with vast experience in overseeing elections up and down the country for three decades.
Abang Roseli now lives in Kuching, the capital of East Malaysia state of Sarawak, with wife Mariam Bong and divides his time between his family of five children, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
For this former teacher before he joined the Election Commission, going to university was a lifelong dream but he had not had that opportunity until he enrolled for the off-campus programme at LSE in 2002.
The year 2006 was a particularly traumatic one for him when his wife was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and he had to focus all his attention and energy on her treatment and care until her full recovery in 2009.
"I would like my story to be an inspiration everywhere that one is never too old to pick up a degree.
"And that despite the challenges in life, we must try our best to get a good formal education," he said.
Abang Roseli said he was able to obtain his degree with hard work,
persistence and "of course, prayers".
He also urged all non-graduate retirees to follow his footsteps and
enrol in a degree programme.
"Nowadays, the Internet has made learning more accessible to all. There are more options available now for people to further their studies compared to when I started years ago. Take the opportunity, equip yourself for the challenges out there," he said.
Asked about his future plans, he said: "InsyaAllah (God willing), my next step will be to obtain a Master's degree in Political Science from another prestigious university, but closer to home."
