Abhaya Kumar Narendrapal Sharma.
After spending more than three decades building roads, structures, and infrastructure projects across India, most professionals would consider retirement a well-earned pause. For Abhayakumar Narendrapal Sharma, retirement marked the beginning of an entirely new academic journey.
A civil engineer with over 35 years of professional experience in construction, infrastructure development, project management, contracts, planning, and valuation, Sharma retired from the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) in 2023 as a Superintending Engineer after a distinguished 33-year career. But instead of slowing down, he enrolled in an Online M.Sc. in Data Science at Chandigarh University Online, venturing into a field far removed from the engineering discipline he had mastered over decades.
Building a Career and Then Building New Skills
Sharma's professional life has been defined by continuous growth. Before joining LIC in 1990, he worked with MHADA and several leading private construction firms, gaining extensive expertise across India's infrastructure sector.
Even during his career, learning never stopped. He earned certifications in Green Building (IGBC), ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, arbitration and mediation, structural engineering, and Applied Artificial Intelligence, believing that professional excellence demands constant upskilling.
"I have always believed that learning should continue throughout life," he says. "Every stage of my career involved acquiring new knowledge, and retirement simply gave me the opportunity to explore an entirely new domain."
A Chance Conversation That Changed Everything
Interestingly, Sharma never intended to study Data Science.
His original plan after retirement was to pursue an M.Tech. in Structural Engineering, a subject closely aligned with his decades of experience. However, during discussions with the admissions team at Chandigarh University Online, he learned about the newly introduced Online M.Sc. in Data Science programme.
That conversation sparked a new curiosity.
Recognising the growing importance of data, analytics, and artificial intelligence across industries, Sharma decided to step outside his comfort zone.
"At 63, I chose a subject that was completely new to me because I believe retirement is not the end of education-it is the beginning of learning without professional pressure," he reflects.
Discovering a New Way to Learn
For Sharma, online education itself was unfamiliar territory.
Although he had completed numerous professional certification programmes over the years, he had never pursued a full postgraduate degree through an online learning platform.
Initially, returning to academics after decades presented its own challenges.
"The first few weeks required adjustment," he recalls. "But the programme was structured in a way that gradually made learning enjoyable."
Recorded lectures, live interactive sessions, digital study material, and the flexibility to study at his own pace helped him balance learning with retired life while remaining intellectually engaged.
Breaking the Myth Around Online Education
Like many professionals from his generation, Sharma once believed that quality higher education could only happen inside a traditional classroom.
His experience changed that perception completely.
He found the faculty approachable, the learning resources comprehensive, and the academic support responsive whenever he needed guidance.
Equally rewarding was learning alongside classmates much younger than himself.
"Despite the age difference, I never felt out of place," he says. "Interacting with young professionals from different industries actually enriched my learning experience."
The classroom, although virtual, became a space where experience met innovation.
Why Data Science?
For someone whose career revolved around physical infrastructure, choosing Data Science may appear unconventional.
But Sharma believes every profession today is becoming increasingly influenced by technology.
Throughout his engineering career, he regularly attended technical seminars organised by the Bureau of Indian Standards to stay updated with changes in engineering codes and the National Building Code.
Studying Data Science, he says, was simply another step in that lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
The programme also strengthened his understanding of emerging technologies, enabling him to engage confidently with professionals working in AI, analytics, and digital transformation.
A Message for Professionals Considering a Second Beginning
Today, Sharma hopes his journey encourages more working professionals and senior citizens to embrace lifelong learning.
He believes online education has made quality higher education accessible to people who may not have the flexibility to attend conventional classrooms.
He also feels universities can do more by creating opportunities for experienced professionals to mentor students, contribute as guest faculty, and share decades of practical knowledge with younger generations.
For those who hesitate because of age, Sharma offers simple advice:
"Never let age become an excuse to stop learning. The world is changing rapidly, and staying relevant requires continuous learning-whether you are 25 or 65."
His own journey stands as proof.
After spending decades constructing buildings and infrastructure, Abhayakumar Narendrapal Sharma has now built something even more enduring a mindset that sees education not as a phase of life, but as a lifelong pursuit.
In an era where careers are constantly evolving, his story is a reminder that the most valuable qualification is the willingness to keep learning, regardless of age.
