The University will on Friday, 21st November host for lunch continuing and in-coming students on its scholarship schemes in Phase II. The function will begin at 1100am in the auditorium. Vice Chancellor Prof John Odhiambo will preside over the event. Invited too are the University's partners in provision of scholarships.

Strathmore scholarship partners include: BNP Paribas, Cedar Foundation, East Africa Breweries Limited, Lincco Canada, Langalanga Scholarship Fund, McKinney Rogers, Mzima SACCO, Netherhall Association, Rattansi Educational Trust, The European Union, The Standard Group, among others.

In the last academic year, the University and its partners gave scholarships worth over Kshs 30,000,000. It projects to give Kshs 33,000,000 this academic year to about 100 students. "100 is literally a drop in the ocean considering that over half a high school graduates who qualify to pursue higher education don't get an opportunity to further their education mainly because they cant afford it. Still, making a difference in the life of even one young person is worthwhile," says Prof Odhiambo.

"And it is gratifying to see that those who have benefitted from these initiatives are beginning to help others access education," Prof Odhiambo added. 

The Ideal

St Josemaria Escriva, the inspiration behind Strathmore advised when the institution was mooted back in the sunset years of colonial rule in the late 1950s that it should be open to people of all races, creeds, and socio-economic background. Following his advice, Strathmore became the first multi-racial institution of learning in the country.

Being open to students of all backgrounds also means that nobody should be turned away because s/he cant afford. This still remains a challenge for the University but it is working on it. That is why Access and Equity is one of the five strategic themes of the University's 2007-2010 Corporate Strategic Plan. The target is that 20% of its students will receive some financial aid by 2011. The theme includes having more students on scholarships and bursaries, as well as on a private loan scheme with the International Financial Corporation (IFC) and Commercial Bank of Africa.

(For more information, please contact Eric Kathenya, Corporate Communications Officer, Strathmore University. Email: ekathenya@strathmore.edu Telephone: 606268. Fax: 607498)