Leah Kimata (BBIT Class of 2007)

What was the best moment of all your years in SU?

When I went for my industrial attachment. It confirmed I had received some values/principles in SU that are priceless and valued in the business world.

What was your worst moment?

When the university guards wrongly accused me of stealing a cell phone. The administrator apologized to me later and I can laugh about it now.

What was your main achievement, while in SU, outside the academic field?

I was able to positively affect the Barclays Bank cash management department, such that they continued to ask for me after my attachment period.

Has SU had any long term impact on you as a person? If so please explain.

Yes it has in terms of etiquette and dressing. I also know now that with drive and ambition I can do a lot. And especially with God's help. 

What would you do differently if you were to start allover again at SU?

Nothing. I have no regrets. Okay, maybe the Computer Graphics unit which I frankly did not grasp.

Any suggestions on what SU can do differently?

Before effecting fee increases please involve the parents. Because more often than not the students have to relay the news and all the questions and complaints parents have are in turn relayed through the students and this can be straining.

Also some units like Computer Graphics should be taught better. For examaple, how certain methods are derived should be well explained.

A word for students you have left behind

Work hard, rest a little and think ahead. Four years is very short. Believe me.

Anything else you want to add?

Strathmore continue being the best and strive for the highest.

Anne Kwamboka (Bcom Class of 2007)

What was the best moment of all your years in SU?

The award given to the Marketing Club (SMS) early this year for the best-organized conference 2006. It was rewarding to realize that the effort of the club was recognized. Being a student-only organized conference, it was challenging for the team to balance academics and extra-curricular activities.

The conference centred on entrepreneurship so as to encourage innovation among the youth. The feedback from the participants was positive and winning the prize simply added 'icing to the cake'. However, this would not have been possible had it not been for the talented and adept committee of the year 2006 and the club Patron.

What was your worst moment?

Not my worst moment but rather the most challenging moment. It was organizing the social week by the marketing club, SMS, in September 2006. This event was the first of its kind in Strathmore. The club had the mean task of initiating activities, establishing sponsors and partners within a short period of time, whilst still ensuring good academic performance. The club members were able to establish partners as well as activities. Unfortunately one of our partners pulled out at the last minute. That was disconcerting. However, we were able to successfully implement the programme.

What was your main achievement, while in SU, outside the academic field?

The opportunity to lead a group of young talented individuals at the Students' Marketing Society enabled me to know and develop my strengths and work on my weaknesses. I consider the development of my personality as my greatest achievement. It is also through the position that I was able to interact with a many people both from within and without Strathmore. This interaction enabled me to appreciate people more and to understand that they are the greatest investment in any field.

Has SU had any long-term impact on you as a person? If so, please explain.

Yes, I would say it has enabled me to build my courage, my professionalism, my ethics, my analytical skills, my interpersonal skills and many more

What would you do differently if you were to start all over again at SU?

I would probably ensure that I get involved in intra and extra-curricular activities earlier, such as first year as opposed to beginning at 3rd year as I did.

Any Suggestions on what SU can do differently?

Yes, SU is doing well but I believe that it can scale greater heights. For example, I believe that the University should make full use of the interconnectivity and expand the e-learning system. It should not only encompass online notes rather it should allow for international forums with students across the globe to allow students to be exposed as early as possible to the global society in which we now live.

It would be incorrect to say that the Strathmore student competes only with Kenyan undergraduates in other tertiary institutions, whereas the world is the market place. The Strathmore student should not only know that which is of necessity in his or her environment but that which is required of him or her as a citizen of the global market.

I also believe that Strathmore should encourage its students to be involved in extra-curricular activities as early as possible, and to this end Strathmore should develop a special 'sports-curricular' which will allow the athletes to have a flexible regime to allow for involvement in both academics and sports. This will enable the athletes to develop their talents without having to compromise their studies. In addition, the sports fraternity in Strathmore could help influence the sports standards in Kenya by allowing for sports exchange programmes and scholarships.

Finally, the University should develop a grading system that encompasses the whole individual. That is, in as much as scoring high grades in examinations is vital it is also important that the whole individual is developed as it is individuals with character and intellect who will positively influence the society.

A word for students behind you?

Do your best to live without regrets. You are here for a reason and a very short season.

Anything else you want to add?

Goals and strategy encompassed with smart and hard work will lead to success. The attainment of success leads to pursuit of higher ends, eventually and inevitably leading to self-development. Of-course the sprinkling of God's abundant blessings cannot be omitted.

At no one time can one say that they have accomplished all for once a fruit is ripe it can only rot.