21 scholars in the Equity Bank university sponsorship program have so far received scholarships in 2012 by world leading universities to pursue various courses of study. This brings the total number of Equity Bank university sponsorship program scholars studying abroad to 69.   

Speaking during the send off of the scholars who are proceeding to pursue their bachelor’s degrees overseas, Dr James Mwangi MD & CEO Equity Bank said, “this partnership gives us an opportunity to expose some of our top students in some of the top universities in the world which will expose them to other global students, members of the academia and world standard facilities”. He reminded the scholars that they are the Vision 2030 generation and that on their shoulders lie the promise of our country. He asked them to be good ambassadors of our country.

Trevor Omangi who attended Maseno School has received a scholarship to study Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in Seoul National University, South Korea. “I am delighted to have this opportunity to study in a country that has championed technology in the recent years, I hope to take advantage of this diversity to expand the technology capability of my country,” he said.

Shina Leboo who was the top girl in the 2010 KCSE exams in Uasin Gishu District was admitted to Harvard University, USA.

“Some girls from our community do not get the opportunity to study; some of them undergo Female Genital Mutilation, FGM and then go for early marriages which can be depressing.  I will use my influence to sensentise members of my community on the need to educate their children especially girls because we are the change our community needs,” she said.

Various universities where scholars have received scholarships include Aberdeen University, Amherst College, Bowdoin College, Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Duke University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Middlebury College, Princeton University, Seoul National University, Smith College, Swarthmore College, University of Cape Town, University of Manchester, University of Pennsylvania, Williams College, Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Yale University.

"I aspire to be an Architect. I’d love to pioneer in building sustainable housing for Kenyans, not just those who can afford but if we can turn our slums into sustainable housing where the lighting, energy and water is all able to sustain itself through recycling and using clean energy", said Sylvia Nashipae  from Menengai High School who was admitted to Smith College, USA.

Beatrice Migaliza Lung’ahu who attended Starehe Girls Centre before joining the program has received a scholarship to study Computer Science at Ashesi University. She said, “I am determined to make a positive impact in the ICT industry in Kenya.”

“I want to run my own firm one day, and this is my opportunity”, beamed Fridah Karuitha who attended AIC Moi Girls Samburu. “Getting the scholarship is a privilege and I thank God for it”, she said.

Equity Bank university sponsorship program rolled out in 1998 with the aim of empowering young academically gifted scholars by supporting their access to education in public universities in Kenya, as well as equipping them with leadership skills. The sponsorship is awarded to the top boy and top girl in each year’s KCSE exams in the districts where the bank operates. The objective is to develop a generation that will think globally be inspired to fight poverty in the African continent, embrace sustainable development, improve living standards and coexist peacefully as a people while being fully committed to giving back to society; servant leaders.

The program runs upto 18 months between secondary school completion and enrollment to university. It rewards the top boy and top girl in every district in Kenya where Equity Bank operates.  So far, the program has benefited more than 1290 scholars who have interned at Equity Bank before joining the universities and also during university holidays.

In cognizance that these are our best scholars in Kenya, and in recognition that the country is still in the process of developing quality teaching facilities at the higher level, Equity Bank has been encouraging the scholars to seek admission to some of the best universities in the world.

The Bank believes that by getting quality education along some of the best brains in the world, these scholars will get global exposure, access to education resources and enhance their leadership skills, in readiness to come back and contribute in shaping the social economic develop of Africa, said Dr James Mwangi.