Nilai UC grab silver in debut at barista competition.
Septuagenarian Kenno Kenji feels that age is no barrier to learning as he finishes his Intensive English Programme at Nilai UC.
"Honestly, I never liked business. My passion is to teach," explains Kenno Kenji as to why he has enrolled into Nilai University College's (Nilai UC) Intensive English Programme (IEP) at the ripe age of 60.
Despite having been involved in the shipping and maritime business in Japan for over 30 years, Kenji says his interest has always been in teaching. Upon retiring from his job, he decided he would pursue his dream and he was contemplating studying in England, United States, Australia or even the Philippines. He admits Malaysia was not part of his initial plans.
Kenji says what made him choose Malaysia as an education destination is down to the fact that one of his clients was a Malaysian lady who was head of a multinational company's operations in the Far East. Her impressive command of the English language prompted him to investigate further. He then chanced upon Nilai UC's IEP in a local magazine and this led him to the institution's website (www.nilai.edu.my).
Despite the age difference between Kenji and the rest of his classmates, he does not feel out of place. He says all the students in the IEP treat him as he was just another student and his age has not been a barrier towards communication.
"Its really not that much different today to when I was a student at Hitotsubashi University in the late 60s majoring in law. Students will be students with their boundless energy and enthusiasm. I suppose I am privileged to have had the chance to experience student life twice," says Kenji in impeccable English. He says it was a difficult decision to leave his spouse and elderly parents behind but is now looking forward to returning to Japan to embark on this new chapter in his life as an English teacher.
"I would like to thank everyone here at Nilai UC – staff, teachers and classmates – for making this a very special time for me. It is not everyday that a person gets a chance like this," smiles Kenji.
