Chennai: In an era where a single postgraduate degree often feels like a marathon, Professor V N Parthiban has turned academia into an endless odyssey.
The 60-year-old associate professor and head of commerce at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College boasts over 150 qualifications – from 13 MAs and 14 MBAs to 12 MPhils and three PhDs – yet remains enrolled in a fourth doctorate in management and a master’s in corporate law.
Dubbed a “walking encyclopedia” by admirers, Parthiban’s life is a testament to unbridled curiosity, where exams are not endpoints but exhilarating pit stops.
It all traces back to 1981, when a barely passed undergraduate degree left his mother in tears. Vowing never to abandon studies, Parthiban transformed learning into his life’s rhythm. Rising at 5 am, he devours books until 11:30 pm, weaving in lectures, family duties, and Sunday research sessions. Evenings offer a rare respite: humming Tamil poet Kannadasan’s verses. “Studying isn’t toil; it’s joy,” he says, funding 90% of his pursuits — fees, texts, and tests— with his salary, without borrowing a rupee.
His arsenal spans disciplines: eight MComs, four MScs, 13 LLMs across branches like Human Rights and Environmental Law, 20 professional courses, nine PG diplomas, and 11 certificates. Specialities include economics, public administration, and political science. He has authored seven books, received accolades from private institutes, and teaches over 100 subjects across Chennai colleges, all while fostering a family where education is paramount. His wife, M Selvakumari, a bank professional with nine degrees, has been his steadfast pillar, raising two children amid late-night revisions.
Parthiban’s saga, first spotlighted in 2016 with 145 degrees, now inspires amid India’s competitive job market. “Restrictions exist only in the mind,” he muses, aiming for 200 qualifications.
As recruiters notice a lack of talent, his story whispers: true mastery lies in lifelong hunger, not hasty finishes. For the humble son of North Madras, each scroll is a fulfilled vow – and a beacon for dreamers everywhere.