Education transcends all limitations of circumstance. It is the fabric through which brighter worlds are created. It brings forth the necessary wisdom to connect with humanity.

Attaining a PhD at the highest education institution and becoming a university don can easily be viewed as the pinnacle to a successful and enriching life. However, some have found that academic prowess is vanity without life-long growth.

42-year-old Martin Ogwang holds a PhD in Biochemistry, a Master’s in Bioinformatics from JKUAT and a Bachelor’s from Makerere University.

Despite all these achievements that would make anyone bask under a tree reaping from years of extensive academic labour, the father of two chose to return to wearing a school uniform, nearly three years ago, by enrolling for a Diploma in Clinical Medicine at KMTC Bungoma Campus.

“I had long desired to join KMTC to study the course, but fate had it otherwise. When an opportunity finally presented itself, I grabbed it with open arms. I wore my uniform and set off for college,” the doctorate holder explained.

Aside from his academic flowers, Martin also works as a lecturer at JKUAT. He is actively involved in research to do with policy strategy and health systems. In addition, Martin serves as the National Secretary General at the Society for Professional Researchers in Biomedical Sciences (SPRBS).

Per his story, as shared by KMTC, the university lecturer sought to gain more skills that would complement his knowledge in biochemistry. After three years at the institution, the university lecturer is set to graduate in December.

Martin chose to keep a low profile while studying at KMTC albeit being a technical knowledge bank. He believes that KMTC graduates are currently in high demand both locally and internationally, more than their university counterparts in similar fields.

“I wanted to learn why KMTC graduates are in such high demand locally and internationally. This knowledge would be useful when I return to JKUAT, where I plan to recommend changes to help our students compete globally,” Martin Ogwang said.

“One of the things that, in my view, makes KMTC marketable is its curriculum. It aligns with international standards.”

The lecturer asserted that should all higher-learning institutions adopt a similar approach, unemployment levels in the country would drastically reduce. He also pointed out KMTC’s unique way of examining candidates.

“The way exams are administered here is remarkable. I have never seen a process so secure that even the examiners do not know the set questions. This is something we could adopt at the university,” he said.

Martin Ogwang aspires to open his own clinic, in addition to his JKUAT role. He noted that he would soon be acquiring a practising license, a dream that’s slowly turning to reality.

He shared that it was not an easy feat managing his responsibilities as a father, family man, lecturer and student. To ensure that his teaching schedule was on point, he would make adjustments to reduce his course load, some of which included teaching on Fridays and Saturdays.

“I arranged with my students to have a flexible teaching schedule, like on Fridays and sometimes on Saturdays. This flexibility made it possible for me to study while working and supporting my family,” he said.

“Education has no boundaries. No matter how old you are, you can always go back to school and gain new skills.”