An 81-year-old pharmacist has proved that it’s never too late to achieve academic goals, graduating with a master’s degree more than 40 years after he first began his studies.
Richard Borain received his Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree at Nelson Mandela Bay University’s summer graduation ceremony last year, finally completing the qualification he started whilst living in Pretoria in the 1980s.
The remarkable achievement came about after encouragement from his sons, who challenged him by asking, “What are you doing with your brain?” The question prompted Borain to return to his unfinished academic pursuits.
Borain’s commitment to education has clearly influenced his family.
He has four sons, two of whom have followed him into pharmacy, whilst the other two became chartered accountants, following in their mother’s professional footsteps.
The octogenarian’s academic journey hit a significant setback when the university lost the thesis he had been working on during his initial attempt at the degree.
Rather than abandon his studies entirely, Borain channelled his energy into building a successful pharmaceutical career spanning more than four decades.
During his career, he established seven pharmacies before eventually selling them to a large retail group.
Despite his advanced years, Borain maintains an active professional life, working as a locum at a pharmacy in Despatch on Sundays.
His commitment to staying physically active is equally impressive. He plays tennis three times weekly, which he credits for keeping him fit, healthy and looking “twenty years younger than his actual 81 years.”
“Medicine is ever evolving, so if you don’t keep your hand on things, you will quickly be out of the loop,” Borain explained, highlighting his dedication to continuous learning.
His revised dissertation, supervised by Professor Ilse Truter, examined the role of community pharmacies in providing immunisation and vaccinations in South Africa — a particularly relevant topic given recent global health challenges.
“My supervisor, Prof Truter, has been amazing, going out of her way to assist me on this journey,” said Borain, who was eagerly anticipating his graduation ceremony.
Undeterred by his age, Borain has ambitious plans for further study.
He intends to begin doctoral research focusing on quality validation in snake vaccine manufacturing, drawing upon his experience as a production manager at the South African Institute for Medical Research during the 1980s, where he was involved in manufacturing snake vaccines.
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