For Hawa Naito, pursuing a Diploma in Business Management at Strathmore University was the first step towards building a successful career in business and entrepreneurship. Motivated by a desire to understand how businesses operate and develop practical management skills, she chose a programme that would equip her for both professional and personal growth. “I chose the Diploma in Business Management because I wanted to build a strong foundation in business,” Hawa explains. “I was interested in learning about management, finance, entrepreneurship, and how businesses operate while gaining practical skills that would prepare me for my career.”

Looking back, Hawa describes her time at Strathmore as both challenging and rewarding. She says the experience stretched her beyond the classroom, helping her grow academically while strengthening important life skills. “My journey at Strathmore has been both challenging and rewarding. It pushed me to grow academically and personally, improve my discipline and time management, and build confidence through working with different people and completing various projects.” Among her proudest accomplishments is successfully completing the Diploma in Business Management despite the obstacles she encountered along the way. “I am most proud of successfully completing my Diploma in Business Management despite the challenges I faced along the way. Finishing the programme has been a significant achievement and reflects my determination and resilience.”

One course that left a lasting impression on Hawa was Entrepreneurship. She credits it with changing the way she views business by encouraging innovation and problem-solving. “The Entrepreneurship course had the biggest impact on me because it encouraged me to think creatively, solve problems, and identify business opportunities. It showed me the importance of innovation and gave me practical knowledge that I can apply beyond the classroom.” Like many students, Hawa had to learn how to balance academic demands with personal responsibilities. She believes that discipline and effective time management were essential in helping her succeed. “My biggest challenge was balancing my academic work with personal responsibilities. I overcame it by improving my time management, staying disciplined, and seeking support from my lecturers and classmates whenever I needed help.”

Through these experiences, she learned a lesson that continues to guide her. “I learned that consistency, discipline, and integrity are key to success. Small, consistent efforts over time produce great results.” Hawa says her time at Strathmore transformed her into a more confident, responsible, and independent individual. “Strathmore has helped me improve my communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills and prepared me for both my career and personal growth.” Although she was not actively involved in student clubs or leadership positions, she found valuable learning opportunities through class activities and collaborative projects. Working closely with classmates strengthened her teamwork and communication skills while helping her build meaningful friendships.

Her most memorable experiences at the University came through collaborating on group assignments and projects. “These experiences helped me build lasting friendships and taught me the value of teamwork and collaboration.” One project that particularly stands out is her final business project, where students applied the knowledge they had gained throughout the programme to address real-world business challenges. “It strengthened my analytical thinking and showed me how classroom knowledge can be applied in practical situations.”

As she prepares to graduate, Hawa looks forward to gaining practical experience in the business sector while continuing to develop professionally. She also hopes to pursue further education and explore opportunities in entrepreneurship. “My plan is to gain practical work experience in the business field while continuing to develop my skills. I also hope to further my education and explore opportunities in entrepreneurship.” Reflecting on how Strathmore has prepared her for the future, Hawa believes the University has equipped her with both technical knowledge and essential professional values. “Strathmore has equipped me with practical business knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills. It has also instilled discipline, professionalism, and integrity, which will help me succeed in my career.”

Looking beyond her own success, Hawa hopes to use her knowledge to make a meaningful contribution to society. “I would like to make a positive impact by using my skills to help businesses grow, create opportunities for others, and contribute to my community through ethical leadership and responsible decision-making.” She encourages current students to make the most of their university experience by remaining focused and embracing every opportunity to learn.“Take your studies seriously, manage your time well, ask for help when you need it, and make the most of every opportunity to learn and grow.”

Summing up her journey in one sentence, Hawa describes her experience as “a challenging but rewarding journey that helped me grow academically, professionally, and personally.” She also leaves fellow students with a personal philosophy that captures the essence of her Strathmore experience: “Growth comes from embracing challenges, staying resilient, and never giving up.” As Hawa Naito graduates from Strathmore University, she carries with her not only a Diploma in Business Management but also the confidence, resilience, and practical skills to pursue her career ambitions. Her journey reflects the power of perseverance, continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence—qualities that will undoubtedly guide her as she takes the next step in her professional life.

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY JONATHAN ICUBAHIRO