The University's inaugural Scholars' Forum and Lunch was held on Friday, 21st November. The event was attended by students on scholarships and those who have been awarded scholarships to begin their studies in January 2009.

The Head of European Union Delegation to Kenya Ambassador Erick van der Linden attended the function. The EU funded an endowment fund whose proceeds are used to give 20 scholarships every year to students to pursue various professional and diploma course at the University.

This year, the University awarded scholarships to the winners of the Mangu and Kabarak Math contests. By coincidence, the same boy (Titus Mwangi), and girl (Martha Ombasi) topped both contests.

The University awards scholarships to  bright students in financial need. Vice Chancellor Prof John Odhiambo said the scholarship scheme aims to get talented but needy students and empower them. "Strathmore wants to mould people who can shape the national agenda and provide transformational leadership," he said.

Speaking at the event, Rose Chelagat an alumna and a beneficiary of the 2002 East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL) formerly Guinness scholarship, and now an internal auditor at Deloitte & Touche said that to date,107 students have benefited from the EABL scholarship scheme in the East African region.
She noted that as a university, Strathmore has built a strong brand in its academic and professional undertakings. "Strathmore gave us not only education, but a passion to succeed," she said.

She said that former EABL scholarship beneficiaries are working on a plan to enhance the Strathmore dream by providing scholarships in future.
Other guests who spoke at the function included Emmanuel Yatta Taban, a refugee from Southern Sudan who is on scholarship at the University currently, and Dr Jan Peciva, a lecturer who is contributing to the University's scholarship scheme.

Partners of the University in various undertakings too attended the event. They included Mumbi Kyalo, Unilever's Corporate Relations Manager; and Norah Mbaya, Telkom Kenya's Youth Market Manager. Equity Bank too was represented.

By Martin Nginyi