Kal’s Journey of Knowledge

Lifelong learning knows no age limit, as exemplified by the inspiring story of Kalaiarasan Thannimalai, a retiree from Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

After dedicating 34 years of his life to teaching, his thirst for knowledge and passion for the English language led him to begin a new educational journey. Through OUM, Kal, as he is fondly known, found a programme that perfectly aligned with his interests and provided him with the opportunity to engage in lifelong learning.

“I had studied law at the University of London just out of sheer interest and obtained a degree before retirement. After my retirement, having spent a long and idle period of time, I was again thirsting for knowledge of the kind that I am most passionate about,” said Kal, 66.

“Just on impulse, I dropped by the Seberang Jaya Learning Centre one day to have a cursory look at the courses it had to offer. It was then that I came across the Master of English Studies (MEST). Without a second thought, I enrolled in it.

“I am passionate about literature, creative writing, the English language, and cultural studies; hence, the only course offered by OUM that appealed to me greatly was MEST.”

Transitioning from a traditional classroom setting to online learning was initially challenging for Kal. However, with perseverance and determination, he quickly adapted to the virtual learning environment.

“I did find online learning rather challenging, as opposed to attending lectures and physically being in the classroom. Nevertheless, after attending several online classes, I managed to get the hang of it and even began to enjoy it.”

Kal has a deep appreciation for the English language. “Perhaps I became passionate about the English language more than any other language because I went to an English medium school, read widely in English, and feel more at home with it.

“I do not see English as a threat to my mother tongue, culture or identity; on the contrary, it has always been an advantage as it enabled me to communicate effectively with people from all around the world.”

Lifelong learning allowed Kal to remain intellectually engaged even after retirement. Kal excelled at his studies, graduating with a CGPA of 4.0 at the 26th Convocation last October. And right now, he is pursuing a PhD, again with OUM.

Kal’s story serves as a testament to all of us about the power of lifelong learning.