KMTC Faces Space Challenges Due to Thousands of Uncollected Certificates
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) is currently facing significant challenges due to the accumulation of uncollected certificates, as reported by the institution’s CEO, Dr. Kelly Oluoch.
Despite frequent media reminders, thousands of graduates have yet to retrieve their certificates, even years after completing their studies.
In 2023, KMTC celebrated the graduation of approximately 22,000 students, yet around 5,000 certificates remain unclaimed.
Dr. Oluoch disclosed that many more certificates, along with other academic documents, have been left uncollected in the College’s storage facilities, with some dating back over six decades. Additionally, some clients request document verification but fail to pick up the verified documents.
The large number of uncollected certificates presents operational challenges for KMTC. Dr. Oluoch highlighted that these unclaimed documents occupy valuable storage space, hindering the College’s ability to utilize those areas for educational purposes.
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To encourage graduates to collect their certificates promptly, KMTC has implemented penalties: Kshs 1,000 for certificates unclaimed within a year, and Kshs 2,000 for those left uncollected for more than a year.
Efforts to Create Additional Storage Space
During a recent visit to the main storage rooms, the College was bustling with activity. A team of masons was busy expanding the storage area, with the sounds of construction tools filling the air.
Builders carefully dismantled walls to create more space, while another group installed fireproof cabinets along the walls. The urgency of the work was evident as the teams worked diligently to transform the storage area into a more secure and efficient space for document safekeeping.
Dr. Nyawira Mwangi, the Deputy Director of Academics, explained that the expansion was necessary due to the overcrowded storage conditions, which are a direct result of the large number of uncollected certificates.
Challenges in Retrieving Old Certificates
In the customer service area, a long line of clients waited patiently for assistance. Caroline, a graduate from 1972, was among those trying to retrieve her certificate.
The process was time-consuming, as staff members had to search through multiple cabinets spread across different storage locations. Another client, who graduated in 1982, also arrived to collect his certificate after many years.
Dr. Oluoch acknowledged that KMTC had faced difficulties with information storage in the past. However, he assured that the College is addressing these issues through the automation of services.
A recent acquisition, the state-of-the-art Qidenus Scanner, will enable the institution to scan, store, and share information and learning materials digitally. This technology will also be used to secure certificates, making them easier to retrieve when needed.
The Need for Timely Collection
Despite these advancements, Dr. Oluoch emphasized the importance of graduates collecting their documents promptly. He pointed out that the ongoing use of storage rooms for certificates limits the College’s capacity to repurpose those spaces for learning activities.
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In the past six months, KMTC has seen a significant increase in clients seeking various academic services. To alleviate congestion at the headquarters, the College is planning to decentralize some services, such as the issuance of transcripts, to individual campuses.
This approach is expected to reduce the burden on the main campus and improve service delivery across the institution.
KMTC Faces Space Challenges Due to Thousands of Uncollected Certificates
