For 20 year old Edna Gatugi Mugambi, giving back to the community is key to enriching lives and being a good steward to the life she is now privileged to live. Being top student in her KCSE national examination in 2012, Edna was fortunate to receive a fully funded scholarship that would allow her to study in a university she had heard about but did not know if she will ever set foot in.

 

The 3^rd Year Bachelor of Commerce student intends to use her Strathmore degree to inform the corporate dream she has, in building an impactful society. Her contagious excitement to perform well and remain at the top, coupled with bouts of small prayers made to God, speak of the ambition that oozes from her.

How did you get a scholarship?

After I received my KCSE results, I went to a cyber to google – I love discovering new things; while doing that, I saw a pop up advert on scholarships by CFC Stanbic Bank to Strathmore University students and I applied.

 

After a series of interviews to consider my application I was honored to receive a full scholarship to Strathmore, CFC also pay my hostel fees and give me a monthly stipend.

 

I was the top KCSE student in Nyeri County in 2012, where I studied my highschool at Bishop Gatimu Gandu Girls High School. I was ranked position 44 nationwide. I got straight A’s in the national exams.

Why Business?

I chose to study in this field because I have always been interested in business. I picture myself as a corporate lady, managing a company, wearing sharp suits, and making decisions that will be very impactful in building the society.

How is it studying at Strathmore?

Strathmore has been amazing; the lecturers are committed; we make appointments on email, which is such a plus; we are indirectly taught how to appropriately dress up for the world; I understand that corporates love hiring Strathmore graduates which I hope will be the key to the future am always dreaming about.

What does it take to remain on scholarship?

You are required to be disciplined, attend classes, and attain a minimum of 70%. I hope to improve these average and start attaining 80% and above, just to challenge myself. Hopefully this will enable me to appear on the Dean’s list of students before I graduate.

 

To maintain this average, I learnt to remain focused at all times.

Why did you choose to carry out your CBA in Tharaka-Nithi?

I am currently undertaking my community based attachment, required by the school, in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kiega Mburu Girls Secondary School. I love being there because it is closer to home, but further to that, the students, I realized, always need mentorship and motivation. I teach all the subjects I studied in highschool; Math, English, Swahili, the three Sciences, Geography and Business. I advise them on how examiners twist questions, so that they can learn to assess questions better; I mentor them, I have formed some good friendships with them; I give them some guidance on where to go after highschool and how life is on campus; but most of all, I encourage them to work hard and perform at their best, God will sort out the rest of their needs to join university.

What is your family background?

I am the middle born of three children. Both my parents are teachers. In my community, teachers are so respected which made us feel like we are very privileged when we were younger. I would not say we are badly off though, seeing as my neighbors live in huts, but we are not the richest family in the society either.

What does it take to perform well, are you a natural top student?

I think doing well in studies runs in the family. My parents were always top in their schools. They had potential to go far in their life but they had to educate their siblings.

 

Having said that, I believe being focused in class and reading hard are my key strategies to performing well.

I look at where I come from, it is not bad, but I challenge myself to do better than where our parents could afford.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Realistically speaking, I hope to have a job and I hope to have completed my masters.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love reading and re-reading books, I can re-read a book a hundred times. I urged my mum to buy me a bigger phone so that I can enjoy reading my books on pdf from anywhere.