Updated August 2nd, 2020 at 14:21 IST
Italy's Giuseppe Paterno beats poverty, war and disease to graduate at 96; See pics
In an event which has now left everybody inspired, a man got graduated at age of 96 in Italy. Giuseppe Paterno beat war and poverty to complete education.
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In an event which has now left everybody inspired, a man finally got graduated at age of 96 in Italy. Giuseppe Paterno, who is a World War II veteran, recently completed his undergraduate degree with top honours from the University of Palermo.
Giuseppe Paterno, 96, prepares for his college graduation from the University of Palermo (Guglielmo Mangiapan) pic.twitter.com/0Hy7ftXwhC
— Brian M Downing (@BrianMDowning1)
Born in poverty
The subjects chosen by him included History and Philosophy, both of which he aced. According to international media reports, Paterno was born in poverty, and despite his keen interest in reading, he could only attend basic education in his youth. Born in Sicily, he never got a chance to get a formal education and attend university. Paterno joined the navy to serve in World War II before going to work in the railways. He later got married and has two children.
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Congratulations Giuseppe ...
— blakandblack (@BlakandBlack)
“Knowledge is like a suitcase that I carry with me, it is a treasure”
At 96, Giuseppe Paterno has had to overcome - childhood poverty, war, and the coronavirus pandemic.
Now he has sailed through an exam that makes him Italy’s oldest uni graduate pic.twitter.com/VtoaV92P1U
However, he graduated from high school at the age of 31. And beating all odds joined an undergraduate programme in 2017. During his ‘university days’, Paterno referred to books, not google to learn about things. In addition, he used a typewriter to type his essays. Despite coronavirus cases and switch to the digital world, the Italian soldier did not give up and finally got his degree.
This lit my fire today. "My project for the future is to devote myself to writing; I want to revisit all the texts I didn't have a chance to explore further. This is my goal “ said Giuseppe Paterno, 96, after graduating with BA in History & Philosophy from University of Palermo.
— Opiyo Oloya (@OpiyoOloya)
Inspiration to senior citizen ?
— Shanthi Fonseka (@GLSFonseka1)
Giuseppe Paterno, 96, Italy's oldest student, celebrates after graduating from his undergraduate degree in history and philosophy during his graduation at the University of Palermo,Italy, July 29, 2020. pic.twitter.com/l6vtGyvEBX
Read: World War II Veteran Giuseppe Paterno Becomes Italy’s Oldest Student At 96
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Published August 2nd, 2020 at 14:21 IST