'Never too late to learn': 55-year-old woman becomes Azerbaijan's oldest university student

“It’s never too late to learn,” says 55-year-old Vafa Jafarova, who this year enrolled at Sumgayit State University, becoming the oldest student in the country.

Jafarova told Report that she was born in 1970 in Baku. After finishing secondary school, she studied at the Baku Polytechnic College and later at the Baku Construction College. In 2019, she earned a degree at the Baku Oil and Energy College under the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University. Now, she is pursuing a major in “Oil and Gas Engineering” at Sumgayit State University.

“Even if a little late, for me this is a great achievement. I love studying and have been continuing my education for many years. Entering university brings joy at any age. To young people I want to say: never despair, it’s never too late to learn,” she said.

Vafa Jafarova is married, has a child and a grandchild. Alongside her studies, she works as an engineer at Azerigas Production Union.