Dr Kanul Gindol…may well delve into a second PhD and consider teaching in private college.
KOTA BELUD : A former journalist and a renown Sabah activist, Dr Kanul Gindol, has proven that age and health challenges are no obstacle to obtaining a PhD.
Saturday, he was one of the 14 Sabahan graduates who received their PhD scrolls from the American globalised Wilmington Metropolitan University (WMU) in Kuala Lumpur.
Trio from Kota Belud from left, Dr Kanul Gindol, Dr Rimin Maun and Dr Charles Ebbie.
Dr Kanul, 58, who is also a cancer survivor, said he was glad that despite the setbacks he faced, like the Covid19, lack of funding and then diagnosed with colon cancer three years ago, he managed to finish his study in time for this year’s convocation.
“I thank everyone who had made it possible for me, especially to Prof Dr Ariffin Willie Muhamad who runs WMU’s Sabah learning centre at his IKS, my supervisors and colleagues who paved the way for me,” Dr Kanul told _talantang.com_ today.
With some of his colleagues from Sabah.
He said doing a PhD in Political Science had been in his mind for quite sometime but he had postponed it several times for various reasons.
His regret is that his dissertation on the “involvement of youth (Undi18) in Sabah politics” has not been challenging enough as according to him he had wanted to do a more political hot current on the “MA63 and the 40% Sabah claim of taxes..”
“While I was treated for my cancer, I was advised not to indulge too much in stressful situations.
“Now l wish I could finish writing and publish booklets if not book,” he said adding he is being open in his coming role if there is an opening.
Dr Kanul also said he may resume his passion as “media consultant” if there is a meaningful offer. Otherwise, he said, he would be contended living on the sideline doing some small business of his own, just to support his activities.
Asked if he is going to be active in politics again as he has been known as one, he said at his age, he welcomes advisory role, but then again ‘in politics, everything is possible’.
He might as well delve into a second PhD and consider teaching in private college, he said when asked if he is considering teaching as a possiblity for him.
“Who knows I could get a sponsorship or raise fund, and I may do a second PhD after this, possibly a one-year scholarship in US…” he said half-jokingly that his ‘friends’ who are currently in high positions have all abondoned him.
He went through the painful chemotherapy and radiotherapy alone two years ago as he was about to start his study.
“Beside the challenges, I was relieved that I could attend and complete all nine schedules of our Phd programme, involving eight seminars of which I had to drive from my hometown Kota Belud to IKS in Putatan, and then for our viva presentations and finally the ninth schedule, completing the dissertation,” he added.
