70-year-old Malaysian man proves it's never too late by graduating with a medical degree

Pensioner Toh Hong becomes the world's oldest medical graduate after earning his degree from Southwestern University.

At 70, Toh Hong Keng has defied expectations by graduating from medical school, a milestone many would consider improbable at his age.

The retired Malaysian executive earned his medical degree from Southwestern University PHINMA in Cebu, Philippines, in July 2024, making him one of the oldest medical graduates in the world.

Courtesy: Toh Hong Keng

Toh’s journey was anything but straightforward. After a career in tech sales and several academic qualifications under his belt, retirement did not bring leisure and relaxation for him.

Instead, he embarked on a five-year-long medical school journey, motivated by a desire to remain productive and challenge himself.

“I didn’t always want to be a doctor,” Toh admitted. The idea only occurred to him during a vacation in Kyrgyzstan in 2018, where he met two young medical students.

Their passion and commitment sparked something in him, leading him to apply to multiple universities across Asia.

His age, however, proved to be a hurdle as many schools capped applicants at 35 to 40 years old.

Eventually, he secured admission to Southwestern University PHINMA, which welcomed him without age restrictions.

His experience wasn’t easy, especially considering the physical limitations of age.

"At 65 to 70 years old, my memory, eyesight, hearing, and energy aren’t what they used to be," Toh said.

The journey included long days of studying anatomy, flashcards, and gruelling hospital shifts lasting up to 30 hours.

In his third year, he was even held back after failing a pediatrics exam, but his resolve never faltered.

Throughout the years, his family and much younger classmates encouraged him to push through.

Courtesy: Toh Hong Keng

"Many times, I asked myself, 'Why am I doing this?' But my classmates reminded me, it would be 'sayang' (a shame) to quit now," Toh recalled.

That became his mantra—seeing the journey through despite the hardships.

While Toh has successfully completed his degree, he is not certain if he will take the additional steps needed to become a practising doctor, which would require a year-long internship and passing a medical board exam.

For now, he plans to work as a consultant for a friend’s company that specialises in allergy and immunology diagnostics in Hong Kong.

Toh's achievement serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pursue a dream.

"If you have a dream to be a medical doctor, you can still do it at any age," he said.

His determination to remain productive in retirement, coupled with his commitment to hard work, has inspired not only his peers but younger generations as well.

Looking forward, Toh also plans to give back by creating a scholarship fund for medical students struggling with tuition, especially those from developing countries.

Tuition fees in the Philippines, where Toh studied, are far lower than in Western countries, but they can still be burdensome for international students.

Toh hopes his scholarship fund will help alleviate some of that burden and inspire others to follow their dreams.

“If I can’t be a practising doctor, at least I can look after myself somewhat,” Toh said jokingly, showing his humility even after such a significant accomplishment.

His journey, however, represents more than just a personal triumph—it is a testament to lifelong learning and the pursuit of purpose at any stage of life.