Testimonial Gabriel Dinda

Gabriel Dinda; PhD Candidate who loves every bit of his Groningen experience.

My name is Gabriel Dinda. I come from Kenya. I did my bachelor’s in Economics and Finance and Master of Arts in Applied Philosophy and Ethics from Kenyatta University and Strathmore University respectively. I have previously worked as a Teaching Assistant at Strathmore University since 2018. Besides teaching, I am passionate about lifelong learning and for this, I have been part of a vibrant writing community in Kenya called Writers Guild Kenya. My teaching and writing exposed me to realities of impacts of climate change especially in rural areas in Africa. This increased my curiosity and stimulated my interest to do a PhD in an area linking climate action and the youth. I started pursuing my PhD in Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Nairobi in 2023. It is through this program that I was selected to take part in a Double degree arrangement between University of Nairobi and University of Groningen, partly sponsored by Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA). That’s how I ended up in Groningen and as they say, the rest is history that is still unfolding.

The University of Groningen, and the Faculty of Spatial Sciences specifically, had always been on my list of preferred destinations for my doctorate. I made several attempts at scholarships to enable me realize this dream but none came through. As fate would have it, another path curved through a double degree arrangement with University of Nairobi. Indeed, it was meant to be; in fullness of time. And here I am now, working to leave a mark.

I had mostly travelled and done projects across Africa with few experiences in Europe and North America. So, I was definitely excited to spend more time and uncover more. Life in Netherlands is lekker (for lack of a more befitting Dutch vocabulary). Groningen appears to me as the melting pot of all nationalities across the world. It’s very possible to have breakfast with a friend from Peru, lunch with a colleague from Georgia, a walk with a Kenyan (of course) and evening drinks with a Dutch family. All in one day. And this happens many times in my case. It is so difficult not to enjoy Groningen.

There is a reason why the University has consistently impacted society for the past 412 years. This maturity has culminated into a cocktail of robust systems, fun learning environment, world class research and teaching and a deep sense of societal impact. The Faculty of Spatial Sciences embodies all these qualities. Think of it as a grand vin, a vintage wine that has reached its peak of taste and prestige. Or better put contextually, an overjarig; a Dutch cheese that has reached the pinnacle of taste. The faculty embodies this in its teaching, outreach, people and much more.

I recommend people who are looking to do a PhD in a foreign country to come to the University of Groningen. This will be among the profound decisions they shall have made in their lives, and they will live to reap its fruits. To say that I enjoy my PhD is to be modest. I am having the time of my life. It gives me many possibilities. A chance to deepen my research skills, widen my scope of thinking and critically reflect on societal impact of teaching and research. Following on the footsteps of many Nobel laureates who walked the same streets I am walking in Groningen (including Zernike where our faculty is located), fills me with hope for the future. Who knows?

To all the prospective candidates, welcome to University of Groningen and to Faculty of Spatial Sciences. And while you are here, we can grab a coffee, so I teach you some Kiswahili. Email me- g.d.olewe rug.nl