Tamkang University on Sunday awarded 84-year-old Wang Jung-ching (王榮慶) a master’s degree in international affairs and strategic studies.
Wang, a former military officer, received the degree at a commencement ceremony with 40 other graduates.
Wang served in the military for more than two decades and retired with the rank of colonel.
Wang wrote his thesis, titled “A Study of the Reformation of Taiwan’s Military Service System,” of about 40,000 characters entirely by hand, before his granddaughter typed it on a computer.
Wang has commuted between Taoyuan and the university in New Taipei City for the past four years.
He studied two years in junior-high school before being enrolled in the Republic of China Military Academy, and said his time serving in the military sparked his interest in national security and strategy.
He earned his high-school diploma while serving and studied at National Open University after his retirement.
Wang, said that being hard-working gave him the motivation to finish the four years of study.
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