Usha Ray is one tough lady! At 79, she's showing everyone what being ambitious looks like. After beating stage-four cancer twice, she decided to get her MBA in Hospital and Healthcare Management at Dr. D Y Patil Vidyapeeth Centre for Online Learning (DPU-COL). Living in Lucknow, she juggles her studies with a job at Lovee Shubh Hospital. And get this—she's about to become the oldest person ever to graduate with an MBA, beating the current record held by Dr. Peter Fung, who was 76.
A Life of Learning and Teaching
Usha started out with a Master's in Zoology back in '66, then got an Education degree in '78. She spent her whole life teaching, both in India and other countries, sharing her knowledge and values with tons of students. But she always wanted to learn more. After teaching for years, she really wanted to go back to school, not to teach, but to learn!
"An empty mind is the devil’s workshop," Usha reflects. "There was no point in just sitting around. I would be free in the evening after my job, and I thought I was wasting my mind. I wanted to do something for myself."
Battling Cancer—Twice
Usha's life took a tough turn in 2003 when she found out she had stage-four cancer. She fought hard and won. But then, in 2020, it came back. Usha battled it again, showing how strong she was. Going through all of that made her even more determined to go after what she wanted in life.
"God will give me the problems, but He'll only solve the problems," she says with unwavering faith.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mf8dg4rILg
Embracing Technology and Online Learning
So, in April 2023, Usha signed up for an online MBA program at DPU-COL. This has been almost 45 years since she last studied! Even though she'd never really used tech before, she was keen to learn.
"I didn’t know how to use a laptop, but I bought one anyway. I practiced, and I am still learning, but I wasn’t going to let that hold up my classes," she shares. The user-friendly platform and supportive staff at DPU-COL played a crucial role in her adaptation.
A Beacon of Inspiration
Usha's story is more than just her doing well; it's inspiring lots of people. She's breaking down old ideas about age and learning, showing everyone that you can chase your dreams at any time. She often says, "If I can do it at 80, why can’t you?"
Her determination has garnered admiration from educators and peers alike. Dr. Safia Farooqui, Director of DPU-COL, remarks, "Usha Ray is a remarkable example of strength and determination. At 79, she has demonstrated that her passion for learning knows no boundaries. Her journey serves as an inspiration to us all."
How We at DPU-COL Helped Along The Way!
Let’s be honest: Usha didn’t need guidance—she needed a push. She had the drive; we just helped fan the flames. Here’s how we helped turn her dream into something real, personal, and truly inspiring.
1. Built a Digital Space That Respects All Ages and Abilities
Usha Ray had never even touched a laptop when she signed up for our Hospital and Healthcare Management MBA. Can you believe it? Most folks would find that whole thing super scary, especially at 79 years old! But not Usha; she was ready for the challenge, especially with DPU-COL supporting her. We like to think we've built a pretty easy-to-use online setup that anyone can manage, no matter how old they are or where they come from. We kept everything simple and made sure Usha didn't just get by; she rocked it. As she put it herself, “I didn’t know how to use a laptop, but I bought one anyway. I practiced, and I’m still learning. But I wasn’t going to let that stop my classes.” That’s bravery, and we’re honored that our platform gave her the confidence to take that leap.
2. Offered Flexibility That Fits Real Life
Usha's a go-getter. Even while getting her MBA, she handled actual tasks in the Accounts and Admin Department at Lovee Shubh Hospital in Lucknow. That's why we made our program fit into real life, not mess it up. Our MBA lets you learn at your speed. People like Usha can go to classes after work, re-watch talks when they want, turn in homework without crazy deadlines, and learn when it works for them. She made time to study every night, showing that learning doesn't have to take over your job. With us, Usha didn't have to pick between work and school; she did both.
3. Provided Real Support From Real People
Every brave learner has someone cheering them on, and we’re happy to be that for Usha. Tech got her started, but our teachers and staff really helped her succeed. She wasn't just a number to us—she became part of our school family. Our team helped her with tech stuff, answered all her questions, and supported her when things got tough, so she knew we were always there. She calls Dr. Saurav Bhowmik, Dr. Sohel Kanngg, and Dr. Safia Farooqui her “three pillars”, which is the best compliment we could get.
4. Delivered Education That’s As Relevant As It Is Rigorous
Usha went for an MBA in Hospital and Healthcare Management since it fit what she was already doing in healthcare. We made sure everything she learned could be used in the real world right away. Our program, which is approved by UGC and AICTE, is strong academically and matches what's happening in the industry. It's full of real case studies and hands-on info. Each lesson helped her at her job, making her learning both helpful and truly life-changing. Since our online MBA is like a really great on-campus program, she knew she wasn't missing out on quality. She was just getting flexibility.
5. Celebrated Her Story—and Let It Inspire the World
Usha Ray's story was always going to be something special. From the day she signed up, we knew she was something else, and we wanted everyone to know about her. We shared what she did on our pages, got the media to pay attention, and showed how she inspires people. Now, Usha shows people what it means to keep learning—that it's never too late to dream big and go after what you want. Her story isn't just hers; it's for anyone who believes in getting another shot.
Looking Ahead
Usha isn't stopping with just an MBA. She wants to get a Ph.D. and keep learning. Her story shows how important it is to stick with your goals, keep learning no matter what, and remember that age doesn't matter.
Lessons from Usha's Journey
Usha Ray's story teaches us some good things:
- Always Keep Learning: You're never too old to learn something new.
- Don't Let Problems Stop You: You can get through tough times if you don't give up.
- Go with the Changes: Being open to new stuff can lead to cool new things.
- Be an Example: Usha shows us that you can go after what you want, no matter how old you are or what's going on in your life.
Usha Ray's story really shows that it's never too late to learn, get better, and do great things. It tells us to go after what we love and not give up.