Dr Gladys Chepkorir Seroney Mooka (49 ) from Kenya. Could not contain her excitement upon graduating with her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Sciences at the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) 2026 Spring Graduation.
The lecturer at the School of Nursing in Maseno University, Kenya. specialises in community health nursing. I enrolled at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in 2021 to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Sciences.
Her journey to DUT began unexpectedly and after being accepted, that decision marked the beginning of a transformative academic journey at the institution.
Her doctoral thesis was entitled “An Evaluation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Interventions Towards Effective Response to Infectious Diseases: A Case Study of Schools in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.”
Her inspiration to study water, sanitation and hygiene in schools came from her experiences as a Community Health nursing specialist. Throughout her career, she witnessed how inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities affected children’s health, dignity, and learning outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of effective WASH systems in schools and motivated her to contribute solutions through research. I
“ wanted not only to understand the challenges schools face but also to develop practical interventions that could improve health and learning environments for children,” she stressed.
One of the highlights of her doctoral experience was participating in an Evidence Synthesis programme, where she was trained in conducting systematic and scoping reviews. The programme equipped her with valuable skills in accessing scientific databases, synthesising evidence, and conducting rigorous research. “These skills greatly strengthened my literature review and provided a solid foundation for my doctoral study.,” she shared.
Like many doctoral candidates, she had experienced challenges along the way. One of the most difficult periods was obtaining ethical approval for her research.
“The process took longer than anticipated, which was discouraging at times. Furthermore, school closures in Kenya delayed my fieldwork, requiring me to wait several months before data collection could begin. Despite these setbacks, I remained determined. Once schools reopened, I successfully collected data, analysed the findings, and progressed steadily with writing my thesis,” she asserted.
Throughout this journey, she was supported by two exceptional supervisors, Professor Gugu G Mchunu and Professor Ng’wena G Magak of Kenya. Their encouragement, guidance, and unwavering support played a significant role in helping me overcome challenges and stay focused on her goals.
“Today, as I celebrate this achievement, I feel deeply grateful and proud. My doctoral journey has resulted in two peer-reviewed publications and numerous opportunities to disseminate my research findings through workshops and stakeholder engagement forums in Kenya. These experiences allowed me to share evidence and contribute to discussions on improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in schools. Knowing that my research has contributed to policy discussions and tools for strengthening school WASH systems has made the journey incredibly meaningful and rewarding,” she said excitedly.
Looking back, this journey for Dr Mooka has been characterised by both excitement and moments of uncertainty.
“However, it has taught me resilience, perseverance, and the value of supportive mentorship. Graduating with a PhD in Health Sciences, has brought great happiness regarding her future and she is committed to continuing her research that improves health outcomes for communities in Kenya and beyond.
Pictured: Dr Gladys Chepkorir Seroney Mooka
Photography: Sifundo Thwala
Waheeda Peters
