While people of his age prefer to settle away from the hustle and bustle of the world and enjoy time with their grandchildren, a 70-year-old man in Kerala is preparing for his post-graduate engineering exams at CUSAT in artificial intelligence and software engineering.
Rajagopal K Nair of Desamangalam in Thrissur is now navigating the bustling corridors and lecture halls filled with students decades his junior at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) in Kalamassery, where he is pursuing his M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering.
In fact, this is his eighth master’s degree program, as he has already completed seven master’s programs—three in Engineering and four in Management—along with two MBAs, an MPhil in Management, two PhDs, and five certifications in Computer Programming. Interestingly, Rajagopal is satisfying his desire to learn more about artificial intelligence and software engineering after working in one of India’s leading IT companies as a programmer for almost 20 years and finally leaving the industry while holding the post of Vice President (Technology & Development).
Though Rajagopal lived a life in the tech world, his indomitable spirit of learning gave him the urge to learn more. “During my work days, I always wanted to do an M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering. But family obligations made me give up the plan for higher studies and continue in the job. So finally, after I retired, I rekindled my passion to learn more and started to attend the courses,” Rajagopal told “Open Digest.”
Rajagopal loves spending time with young students on the college campus, discussing the latest trends in technology. He never celebrates his birthday because it reminds him of each passing year. “Birthday celebrations remind us of a year we have lost. So I don’t want to celebrate it. I am also really blessed to get tremendous support from my family. My biggest supporter is my daughter, Samyuktha Nair, who encourages me to fulfill my dream and passion for learning,” he added.
After finishing his M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering, which was his desire since 1986, he is planning to study courses like M.Tech or M.E in systems engineering. He has a desire to do revive the “Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics” and do further research in ancient Indian mathematics and its relevance to modern computational mathematics.
As Rajagopal continues his educational journey, he stands as a living testament to the idea that one is never too old to learn. His story resonates beyond the university walls, inspiring individuals of all ages to embrace curiosity, break down barriers, and pursue their passions, regardless of the obstacles that may stand in their way.
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