A 90-year-old retired general of the elite Alpini mountain troops has graduated in political science at Turin University, earning top marks for his thesis on relations between the United States and the Holy See in the period 1939-48. Shortly after graduating, Ubaldo Billet enrolled in a degree course in philosophy. "Just as one keeps the body young with exercise, to keep the mind youthful one must practise the sport of study and research," he said.