Education has no retirement age, and this belief inspired 70-year-old Malaysian Toh Hong Keng to achieve his goal even after retirement. He has now been recognised as the oldest medical graduate from Southwestern University PHINMA in Cebu, Philippines, having completed his medical degree in July this year. According to reports, when Toh Hong Keng first attended classes at Southwestern University PHINMA, students mistakenly assumed he was a professor instead of a new medical student. In July 2024, this retired Malaysian executive achieved a remarkable milestone by graduating from medical school, making him one of the world’s oldest medical graduates.
“My family and friends were surprised at first. Several of my friends thought I was crazy wanting to study medicine at this age. It wasn’t always easy. At 65 to 70 years old, my memory, eyesight, hearing, and body are not as good as when I was younger,” Toh Hong Keng told CNN.
Toh Hong Keng spent most of his life working in technology sales, but upon retiring, he chose to spend his time immersed in anatomy textbooks rather than taking long lunches or golfing. His journey was not without challenges — he faced a setback when he failed a paediatrics exam in his third year, which led to an additional year of study. In his final year, he was required to complete a one-year placement in both private and public hospitals, with some shifts lasting up to 30 hours.
Toh Hong Keng recalled asking himself many times, “Why am I doing this? Maybe I should give up.” He credited his family for their support and his younger classmates, who encouraged him to persevere and not abandon his dream.
One slogan that particularly motivated him was “Sayang,” a Tagalog phrase meaning it would be a shame not to see it through. Toh Hong Keng’s classmates often encouraged him saying, “Sir Toh, if you give up now, it will be sayang.” Reflecting on his journey, Toh Hong Keng told CNN that he never had intentions of becoming a doctor as a child.
In 2018, during a vacation in Kyrgyzstan, he met two young Indian medical students, which inspired him to consider pursuing a medical degree.
Following his retirement from the corporate world, Toh Hong Keng dedicated weeks to preparing for entrance exams and applied to over a dozen Asian institutions. Despite his efforts, the 70-year-old faced difficulties finding a programme without an age limit. After contacting his family’s former domestic helper, whose daughter had recently graduated from medical school in the Philippines, Toh Hong Keng received an offer from Southwestern University in Cebu after a series of exams and interviews. In 2019, he packed his bags and embarked on his medical journey.
Dr Marvi Dulnuan-Niog, head of the medical school, noted that Toh Hong Keng exhibited “a very strong resolve” throughout the five-year course and never requested any special consideration.
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