Do you remember the feeling of writing that last exam during school or college? Or that excitement of submitting a research so that you can finally take a break? If you do, you will be surprised to read about a man whose love for studying crosses several limits. And, if you thought one master’s degree was a big deal, here’s the story of Professor VN Parthiban — a man from Chennai who decided that education shouldn’t just be pursued, it should be collected.
Multiple reports on him talk about his visiting card. Why? Because it lists over 140 educational degrees — all acquired by him over a lifetime of relentless (and slightly unbelievable) studying.
Keeping a promise made to his mother
Professor Parthiban’s story begins humbly in north Madras, where he could not get his first degree with first division number. His mother was heartbroken. And that heartbreak became the spark that lit an academic wildfire. “I promised her that one day, I would make her proud,” he recalls during an interview with HistoryTV. What started as a son’s promise turned into a four-decade-long marathon of exams, research papers and lectures.
Since 1981, Parthiban has lived and breathed education. While most of us spend Sundays binge-watching shows, he spends his in exam halls, collecting yet another qualification. “I applied wherever they didn’t ask for a transfer certificate. That way I could study multiple courses at the same time,” he explains. The result? A mountain of degrees — from law to commerce, from journalism to computer applications — all neatly earned, not bought.
With multiple Master’s degrees in Economics, Public Administration, Political Science and Law, he’s also racked up an incredible 12 M.Phils and is reportedly working on his fourth Ph.D. (yes, you read that right — fourth).
Loves teaching too
Now, Professor Parthiban teaches several subjects across different colleges in Chennai. He genuinely enjoys studying, though he admits even geniuses have their weak spots. “I failed in Actuarial Sciences,” a YourStory report quotes him as saying.
Behind every overachiever, there’s an equally remarkable partner. His wife — who herself holds nine academic degrees while managing a banking career and raising two children — is, as Parthiban says, “the real reason my world functions”.
Look at his schedule
His daily schedule could tire a robot. During the HistoryTV interview, he lays it down. Up at 5 am, teaching at various colleges till nearly 10 pm and meanwhile studying for himself. “Studying and reading are my only hobbies,” he says.
According to another report, Professor Parthiban has authored seven books, earned numerous awards and continues to inspire everyone who’s ever sighed at the sight of a syllabus.
So next time you feel proud of finishing a course or earning a diploma, remember — somewhere out there, Professor Parthiban is probably filling out another application form.