Some 20 needy and deserving students have received a major boost in their education journey after being awarded full scholarships from KCA University.
The University CEO and Vice Chancellor Prof Isaiah Wakindiki revealed that KCA University Foundation raised Sh17 million from the recently conducted 2nd edition of the VC&CEO cycling tour.
The money has been used to facilitate education for the students.
The tour held in collaboration with 27 partners including the National Transport and Safety Authority covered 1,002 kilometres from Nairobi, Nakuru, Kapsabet, Chavakali, Kakamega, Kisumu, Kisii, Bomet, Narok, Limuru and back to Nairobi.
Prof Wakindiki, in an interview at the institution, said that most students are in a financial crisis which has affected their studies since their parents and or guardians are faced with a myriad of challenges including abject poverty, illnesses, and substance abuse among others.
“We have awarded 20 full scholarships to needy and deserving students and we want to enable them to concentrate on their studies and fully exploit their potential. It is part of our outreach endeavours to raise resources to support our students who hail from humble backgrounds,” Prof Wakindiki said.
Data fromthe Commission for University Education (CUE) indicates that 60% of university dropouts are directly attributed to a lack of tuition fees, a barrier that hinders individual progress and impacts the nation’s overall development by leaving a skilled workforce untapped.
The statistics call for a need for resource mobilization initiatives by institutions of higher learning, to provide financial support, motivation and life-changing opportunities to needy students while opening doors to a brighter future.
Prof Wakindiki regretted that most students fail to complete their studies and end up dropping out of school due to financial constraints adding that such initiatives and collaborations by institutions of higher learning can help save the downtrodden and help them brighten their future.
“It is a challenge that calls for a unity of purpose among academicians and other well-wishers to retain needy students in school. It is only by giving that we will be able to empower others,” The VC said.
Meanwhile, Prof Wakindiki challenged higher learning institutions in the country to support young innovators, entrepreneurs and creatives to commercialize their products.
He said that this will be achieved through collaboration with the industry to help the budding innovators advance their ideas to commercial products.
The don averred that Universities have a major role to play in linking the academia with the industry so as to foster sustainable innovations.
He divulged that KCA University has launched a Research Fund that is meant to support, spur and catalyze innovations and also ensure that the innovations are operational.
“We are asking our partners, sponsors and stakeholders to support the initiative by KCA University to improve Research, Innovations and commercialization of research outputs,” he said.
Prof Wakindiki added:
“Endeavor to create an environment that not only facilitates academic excellence but also empowers our students to innovate, create, and lead in a world that demands fresh ideas and bold solutions. We remain committed to inculcating a culture of research, innovation and commercialization of research outputs.”
