Varatha Shanmuganathan Becomes York University’s Oldest Graduate

87-Year-Old Grandmother Earns Second Master’s Degree in Canada, Becomes York University’s Oldest Graduate - 247 Yawa Trends.

Varatha Shanmuganathan, an 87-year-old grandmother, has made history at York University in Canada by becoming the institution’s oldest-ever graduate. She earned her second master’s degree, fulfilling a lifelong dream and proving that learning has no age limit. 

Varatha’s journey began in Velanai, a small village in northern Sri Lanka. After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Madras in India, she returned home to teach Indian history and English. Her passion for education led her to London, where she earned a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of London while teaching English as a second language. 

In 2004, Varatha moved to Canada to be closer to her daughter, a graduate of York University’s Schulich School of Business. She soon discovered that York offered free tuition for senior citizens—a policy that reignited her academic ambitions. 

In 2019, she enrolled in a Political Science master’s program, focusing her research on the Sri Lankan civil war and the pursuit of peace, a topic deeply connected to her personal experiences. 

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Varatha remained dedicated to her studies. In 2024, she proudly graduated alongside 4,000 other students—officially becoming the oldest person to earn a master’s degree in York University’s history. 

“On November 1st, I was just an ordinary woman. On November 2nd, everything changed,” she told CNN. 

York University President Rhonda Lenton praised her achievement, saying: “She represents the best of what York University stands for—access to education, inclusivity, and a determination to build a better future.” 

Now a double master’s degree holder, Varatha is planning to write a book about post-war Sri Lanka, sharing her views on peace, democracy, and reconciliation. She encourages others not to give up on their dreams: “You should always have a goal in life. Find something meaningful to you—something that also helps others. Pursue it. Achieve it.”