At the age of 83, Egyptian researcher Amal Ismail Metwally Abdo succeeded in realizing her dream of obtaining a PhD from the Faculty of Arts at Mansoura University, Department of Sociology, with a grade of "first-class honors," along with a recommendation to publish the thesis at the university's expense and exchange it with foreign universities.

In exclusive statements to Sky News Arabia, Amal confirmed that her journey with education had been postponed for many years, but she never gave up on her dream, stressing that age cannot be an obstacle to achieving ambitions.

From a village in Dakahlia to the PhD discussion hall

The researcher recounted the details of her journey, explaining that she grew up in a village in Dakahlia Governorate, where her father was the village mayor, then moved to the city of Mansoura to continue her education before marrying at an early age.

She said that her husband stipulated that she devote herself to raising the children and not continue her studies, so she dedicated her life to caring for her family, stressing that she never stopped reading and would help her children study and explain various subjects to them.

Amal added that her children became doctors and engineers, considering their success the fruit of many years of focus on education within the family.

Returning to study after decades of interruption

Amal considered the turning point came in 2011 when her daughter encouraged her to continue her education, saying: "She told me that I have been reading all my life and nothing can stand in the way of my ambition."

She explained that she applied to continue her studies at the age of 68, starting from high school, then enrolled in the Faculty of Arts at Mansoura University, and then continued her academic journey until she obtained a master's degree and then a PhD.

Related news

Study on active aging

Amal pointed out that her PhD thesis was titled: "Active aging and its relationship to some sociological variables: A study of selected cases of professors at Mansoura University."

She explained that the study addressed the relationship between active aging and a number of family, social, health, professional, and economic variables, as well as factors affecting the continued participation and integration of the elderly into society.

According to Amal, the study sample included 20 faculty members at Mansoura University from the colleges of nursing, pharmacy, engineering, education, and arts, both men and women.

According to Amal, her master's thesis addressed the social and cultural lifestyle of advanced age groups in light of gender issues, explaining that the study discussed the social roles of men and women within society within the framework of the concept of gender.

Challenges of returning to school

Amal confirmed that returning to study after many years was not easy, as she had to take lessons in English, French, and modern mathematics, while benefiting from her old passion for reading in Arabic.

In her interview with Sky News Arabia, Amal said that she was constantly working to develop herself and make up for the years she had missed, stressing that her goal was not just to obtain a certificate, but to complete what she felt was missing scientifically.

Amal sent a message to anyone who believes that age is a barrier to dreams, saying: "There is no despair with life, and no life with despair," stressing that a person can achieve his goals when he has the will.

Amal concluded by saying that determination and continuous work are the real path to achieving any goal, no matter the challenges or circumstances, stressing that her age and battle with cancer did not stand in the way of her desire and goal to complete her education.