Popular Luo musician Evance Ochieng Opiyo famously Prince Indah was among 89 graduates awarded qualifications under a talent-based assessment system during a graduation ceremony held in Kisumu by the African Talent University.
The institution, founded by Professor Humphrey Obora, assesses learners based on demonstrated skills, creativity, innovation and professional achievements rather than relying solely on conventional academic examination results.
The graduates included professionals from the creative arts, business and innovation sectors, reflecting what the university says is a growing recognition of alternative pathways to education and career development.
Among them was film producer and ART Film Production Chief Executive Officer Dawood Anguka, whose work includes the Netflix film Mvera and the recently produced Mirima.
Anguka described the graduation as a significant milestone in his career, saying it affirmed the value of talent and practical experience.
“Talent is life and talent is the biggest thing right now. Everyone should look at their talent as a business,” he said.
He added that while creative ability is important, professional success also requires knowledge and business skills.
“Many people say talent does not have a certificate, but talent also has a certificate. That is why we are here today,” Anguka said.
Speaking during the ceremony, Prof. Humphrey Obora said traditional education systems often fail to recognise people with exceptional talents and practical skills.
“For many years, society has judged people mainly through academic grades, yet some of those who leave school early go on to build enterprises that employ degree holders,” he said.
He said the university uses a system known as GINA Credits, which measures talent, innovation and real-world impact.
Under the model, learners are evaluated through their achievements and contributions, with qualifications awarded according to demonstrated competence.
“We do not admit people merely by grades. We assess who they are beyond examination results and produce what we call a talent report,” Obora said.
He argued that the approach responds to growing calls for education systems to accommodate different forms of learning and ability.
“We cannot assess a person solely by the failure of an exam. The same person may be the one solving problems and creating value in their community,” he said.
The ceremony also highlighted the increasing role of the creative economy in job creation and entrepreneurship, with graduates recognised for achievements already making an impact in their fields.
As graduates celebrated their achievements, the event added to a broader debate on the future of education and whether talent, innovation and practical skills should carry the same weight as traditional academic qualifications in determining success.
Some of Indah’s hit songs are Rapudo, Mirima, Ngima Dhano, Pedeshe (Ajawa Marwa), Jo Fitina, Berna and Osiepe among others.
Leave a comment