Six students from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) have been awarded scholarships worth Ksh. 600,000 with each beneficiary getting Ksh.100, 000 under the KIKI Trust Fund.
KIKI Trust scholarship aims to recognize and nurture academic talent, while easing the financial burden for students. This year’s recipients are drawn from Bachelor of Science in Horticulture and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering programs.
This year’s scholarship beneficiaries include Kirimi Baraka Kaibere (1st Year, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering), Leans Bruno Kipkorir (2nd Year, Civil Engineering), Ivy Shamim James (3rd Year, Civil Engineering), James Kariuki Nderitu (1st Year, Department of Horticulture and Food Security), Ojwang Vincent Otieno (2nd Year, Horticulture), and Ohare Solomon Owiti (3rd Year, Horticulture).
During the award ceremony, Tuesday, October 15, 2024, JKUAT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, lauded the initiative, noting it marks the second year of celebrating excellence under the KIKI Trust Fund award scheme.
Prof. Ngumi appreciated the Japanese scholars for forming the foundations of a strong collaboration between Kenya and Japan through their philanthropy.
“The initiative has not only provided financial support to the academically gifted students, it also speaks to the enduring desire of the two Japanese scholars in whose honor the fund was established, to extend a hand of philanthropy in support of education,” said Prof. Ngumi.
Prof. Ngumi congratulated the winners on their academic achievement, emphasizing the award is a testament to their hard work and a challenge to continue excelling in their academic endeavours.
The KIKI Trust Fund, established by the late Kiyoshi Kita and Professor Makoto Kimura, Japanese scholars committed to philanthropy, has become a symbol of intercultural collaboration between Kenya and Japan in the higher education sector. The Trust Fund is overseen by Trustees Prof. Kiptanui Too and Dr. Mercy Mwaniki.
Prof. Too lauded the university for conducting a rigorous exercise to ensure that deserving students are supported. He thanked the sponsors of the event for going out of their way to support education through their philanthropy.
“KIKI Fund was founded, named after the initials of its sponsors, Kita and Kimura. The fund was established to support academic competitions among students and to give back to society. Both sponsors were highly driven to contribute to the community, collaborating with JICA and other organizations,” said Prof. Too
On his part the Africa-ai-Japan Project Advisor, Prof. Hiroshi Koaze, expressed his gratitude to the university for fostering lasting and meaningful collaborations.
“I want to thank the University Management for the support in fostering a strong foundation for partnerships. JICA and JKUAT has forged an extensive partnership dating back to the 1970’s,” said Prof. Koaze.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Vice Chancellors- Prof. Robert Kinyua (Academic Affairs), Prof Bernard Ikua (Administration), and Dr. Hiram Ndiritu (representing Prof. Jackson Kwanza (Research, Production and Extension). 