Oz man becomes world's oldest university graduate at 97

Melbourne, May 4 (ANI): A 97-year-old man from New South Wales is reportedly set to become the world's oldest university graduate, more than seven decades after earning his first degree.

Allan Stewart set a Guinness World Record for being the oldest graduate at the age of 91 when he completed a law degree at the University of New England.

He will surpass his own record on Friday when he graduates with a Master of Clinical Science (Complementary Medicine) from Southern Cross University in Lismore.

Stewart, a former career dentist now residing at Port Stephens on the state's mid-north coast, said that at 97 years and 58 days, his fourth university degree may be his last.

"I can hang up my mortar board and academic robes after this one, although I said that after my last degree and then I got bored," the Herald Sun quoted him as saying.

"I have so much time on my hands these days and I like to keep mentally active."

The Sydney-born great-grandfather attained his first degree in 1936, when he graduated with a Bachelor of Dentistry with Honours from the University of Sydney.

Later, he completed a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Northwestern University in Chicago, and practised as a dentist in London, Sydney and rural northern NSW.

He asserted that fitness and having a focus in life was a key to his longevity and intellectual stimulation.

"People should never use the excuse that 'I am too old to study' or 'I have left my run too late'," he said.

"It is never too late to expand your mind, make new friends and challenge yourself to achieve something worthwhile."

Dr Sonya Brownie, one of Mr Stewart's supervisors at Southern Cross University, insisted that she was impressed by his commitment and enthusiasm.

"His willingness to embrace new learning technologies and his competency using different online learning applications is truly incredible," she said. (ANI)