It has been a childhood dream to enroll for a programme leading to the award of a PhD, following the high impression I had coupled with the respect I gained for some seasoned and distinguished PhD personalities growing up.
After applying to some institutions for a more flexible PhD programme in Management, I chanced upon Atlantic International University (AIU) offering several programmes, with flexibilities and focusing on andragogy style of education, which is a modern practice of adult education, consisting of teaching strategies focused on adult learners with a structure of learning experience. I decided to commit myself to AIU and pursue a lifelong dream.
Distance learning from the University is well organised with advisors on hand all the time to offer advice on challenges. Notable among those who offered advice, help and encouragement were Dr. Erick Aguillar, and Junko Shimizu. As the saying goes – gratitude is an attitude that takes you to your altitude; it wouldn’t be out of place to give credit where credit is due by putting on record my heartfelt thanks to them. I am eternally grateful. Special mention also goes to the student services for their prompt response on issues.
Combining a demanding job and pursuing a distance learning programme has brought me closer to achieving my noble dream, apart from bringing to bare my organisational skills as timelines for submission of assignments had to be strictly adhered to in spite of other demanding schedules. Nelson Mandela once said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. In the words of Aristotle, “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” I intend to use the knowledge from AIU to help change my society for the better and to be able to entertain various thoughts to make an informed decision. AIU has helped me with knowledge that will help impact my life, community and nation as a whole.
The knowledge acquired from the University has and will continue to help me develop my skills to do better at work. I have gained enough knowledge and experience which will really enhance my career and be able to contribute to the success of my organization.
I wish to say a big thank you to all the staff of AIU for helping me accomplish a lifelong dream. “Medammoase” – Thank you all.