Dr Shatesh Kumar : He Earned His PhD at 24, But at 31, This Malaysian Is Starting All Over Again

For many people, earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the culmination of years of hard work and academic achievement. But for Dr Shatesh Kumar Sangar, it was never the end of his journey to learn.

At just 24, Shatesh had already completed his PhD in Chemistry, with research focused on biofuel production. Now, at 31, the Malaysian scholar is stepping into a completely different field, pursuing a Master’s degree in International Affairs at King’s College London in the United Kingdom. 

A former student of Bagan Datoh Science Secondary School in Perak, Shatesh is finally fulfilling a dream he has held for years. Sharing the milestone on social media, he expressed his excitement at finally studying at an institution he had long hoped to attend.

“King’s College London has always been one of my dreams in life. And finally, I managed to be here. A dream that is delayed does not mean that it will not be achieved,” he shared.

Although Shatesh has an academic background in science and chemistry, his interests and career direction have gradually shifted towards politics, public policy and international affairs. Over the past few years, he has become increasingly interested in areas such as geopolitics, grey-zone warfare and modern conflicts, inspiring him to explore a field far removed from his original area of specialisation.

Despite already holding a PhD, he decided to return to university and become a student all over again.

“Yes, I already have a PhD in Chemistry, with research focusing on biofuel production. I completed my PhD when I was 24 years old.

“So, why did I return to university and start studying in a completely different field? The answer is simple, because the process of seeking knowledge should never stop,” he said.

For Shatesh, pursuing another qualification is not about collecting degrees. It is about gaining the knowledge needed to understand the world better and make a meaningful contribution in the areas he cares about. He believes that having an interest in a subject is only the beginning. To contribute meaningfully, one must be willing to keep learning, question existing assumptions and understand different perspectives.

“If I want to make a meaningful contribution, I need to continue to increase my knowledge, challenge my way of thinking, understand different perspectives and deepen my understanding of how the world works.

“That’s why I chose International Affairs,” he explained.

His decision shows that stepping outside one's comfort zone is not a sign of starting from zero, but an opportunity to build on what one already knows while discovering something new. Beyond his academic achievements, Shatesh hopes his journey will encourage others who may be considering a new direction but feel held back by their age, qualifications or fear of beginning again.

He believes that a person's educational background should not limit what they can learn next, nor should anyone feel pressured to remain in the same field for the rest of their life.

“Don’t be afraid to start something from scratch. Don’t let age stop you and don’t let your qualifications determine what you can learn next.

“Don’t think you have to stay in one field for the rest of your life and never be afraid to go back to being a new person who is learning,” he shared.

It is a message that many people can relate to. Whether it is returning to university, changing careers or pursuing an interest that was once put aside, starting something new can feel intimidating, especially when life has already taken us down a different path.

But Shatesh's journey reminds us that there is no single timeline for personal growth. The knowledge and experience we gain along the way can become the foundation for new opportunities.

Education, after all, is not simply about reaching a finish line. It is a lifelong process of discovering new ideas, challenging we and gaining a deeper understanding of the world.

At 31, Shatesh is beginning another chapter of his academic journey with the same curiosity that led him to pursue his first doctorate.

His story is not just about earning another degree or studying at a prestigious university. It is about having the courage to acknowledge that our interests can evolve, our ambitions can change and there is always more to learn.

Sometimes, pursuing a dream means taking a different route. Sometimes, it means being willing to become a beginner again, even after years of achievement.

For Shatesh, the opportunity to study at King’s College London represents a dream that has remained alive through the years.

“At the age of 31, I’m starting something new and I couldn’t be more excited. Finally, King’s College London. A lifelong dream finally coming true!” he said.

And perhaps that is the most inspiring lesson from his journey: we do not have to stop growing just because we have already achieved something great. There is always room to learn, explore and begin again.

Source / Image Credit : Oh My Media