Gr10 dropout walks away with doctorate

By NINA MARIE TIBONG
DWU Journalism Student

A GRADE 10 dropout defeated all odds to be awarded a doctorate in philosophy at Divine Word University’s 42 graduation in Madang recently.
Forty-nine-year-old Cliff Kiru, from Poroma, Southern Highlands, was among the 800-odd graduates who graced the St John Paul Hall at the university campus.
During his studies, Kiru faced so many challenges, the obvious financial issues, family, personal and also the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Another challenge was leaving my wife and four children behind.
“Living without my family for almost six years was quite a challenge,” he recalled.
“I am a dropout. I dropped out in Grade 10 in 1990. That was three decades ago.
“After that, I got married and I was in the village for seven years.
“Fortunately, a door opened for me to go and study at the Christian Leaders Training College (CLTC).”
Kiru did his bachelor in theology between 1998 and 2002. He then enrolled at the University of Goroka in 2005 and did a postgraduate diploma in education. From 2014-15, he returned to CLTC and did his masters in theology.
Commencing his PhD studies at Divine Word University in July 2018, Kiru directed his research towards unravelling the social and political dynamics of Southern Highlands, intrigued by the underlying causes of social unrest and political tensions.
“It feels wonderful, you know, after being dropped and being a village boy to now walking out with a PhD. I am proud.”
As he embarks on this new chapter, Kiru said he was grateful for the support he received from his mentors and CLTC. “I was supervised by Prof Iwona Kolodziejczyk, the academic vice-president, and Prof Pr Philip Gibbs.
“I have learned so much from them, I would like to convey my sincere thanks to CLTC,” Kiru said.