Age does not end education, said Malolua Viiga Malolua, a 52-year-old from Moamoa, who completed a Certificate IV in Maritime (Marine Engineering Class 5) from the National University of Samoa (NUS).

Married to Ioana Malolua and father to six children—some still in school and others already working—Malolua hopes his achievement will inspire other older fathers to pursue higher education.

“I feel very happy, and I also want this to be a challenge for other older fathers, that this is not the end. Whatever age you are, if you want to pursue higher education, you can,” he told the Samoa Observer.

He said the certificate is useful as it allows him to work as a marine engineer for small boats and other types of vessels, adding to the other certificates he had already earned.

Malolua is determined that this achievement is not the end for him; he hopes to reach even higher before he retires, but takes pride in having reached the top for now.

Currently employed at the Samoa Shipping Corporation, Malolua also wants to set an example for his children, showing them that it is never too late to pursue their goals.

He graduated during the NUS TVET Graduation on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, the top student for the Certificate IV in Maritime (Marine Engineering Class 5) was Siliga Lole.