Leading Ohangla musician Prince Indah is now a degree holder courtesy of his music prowess.
Indah was on June 5, among the over 80 graduates at the Kisumu-based The Africa Talent University (TATU) located along Kisumu-Nairobi road.
Indah whose official name in Evance Ochieng Owino was awarded a Bachelors Degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, with specialty in Music Performance and Cultural Leadership.
Surprisingly, the musician is eligible to earn a Masters Degree from the same institution within the next six months.
Indah who dropped out of school in Form Three becomes one of the one of the latest beneficiaries of the unique learning system which considers special abilities of the learners, veering off from the traditional system of education determined by class work and examinations.
Authority to award degrees
The university was two months ago given Interim Authority to offer degree courses in talent-based learning system, becoming the first of its kind in Kenya and Africa.
One of the approaches used by the university to assess students is the use of Anthropo-biometric Talent Clinics, which employ the use of 3D scanning, hardware sensors, and specialised software to analyze body measurements, neural channels, and brain metrics to identify inborn talents, personality traits and career paths.
The scientific method provides personalized learning prescriptions based on a 3D “body model”, in what the institution describes as a tool that can excavate life achievement values and work experience, which can be measured in terms of credit value, and certified.
‘This is the best way of education, because people are graduating with what they know, what has been tested, and what has been done’-Indah
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Indah confirmed that he underwent the assessment process, and was glad that the new system can now recognize expertise in art.
“I am going to have a sit down, and am going to come up with a project that will give me the remaining points,” said Indah.
He added; “This is the best way of education, because people are graduating with what they know, what has been tested, and what has been done.”
“The university is very instrumental to us, because it has shown the world that it is possible to recognize whatever we are doing out there.”
According to the institution’s Vice Chancellor Professor Humphrey Obora, even even though one needs 150 credits to meet the award for the said degree, Indah scored 157 credits, which he noted to be slightly shy from the credits one require to achieve a Masters Degree.
“Indah’s credit score is more that what is needed for a degree, so he is at pre-masters level. If he can do one project within the next six months then he can be reassessed and awarded a Masters degree,” said Oborah.
According to Professor Oborah, Indah’s scores were exemplary, earning him the high credit values.
He said that for this achievement, the university will award Prince Indah with various awards including; African Cultural Music Icon, Cultural Music Reservation Champion, Community Cultural Recognition, among others which will be presented during an award ceremony in October.
Indah’s video producer Daudi Anguka was also among the graduates, saying the move is a great motivation to the creative economy.
Anguka who holds a Diploma in Commerce and currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce in the formal education expressed joy that his work in the film industry has been recognized.
“This is a great day for me as it shows that talent is a very important thing in our lives,” said Anguka.
