Admission: 2016 Fall ITTP Master Program

Affiliation: Ministry of Energy, Nairobi

Position : Principal ICT Officer

 

“Teaching/working was a form of giving back to community. Teaching/working is not about what you receive but what you give. This statement was a game changer in my perception towards work.”

 

 

KAIST, My Turning Point!

KAIST as an entrepreneurial university whose knowledge creates global value to benefit humanity is a place of transformation - Turning Point. This write-up is a confirmation of how KAIST transformed my life towards its commitment of creating global value to benefit and transform humanity to meet today’s demand for qualified human resources. “The Republic of Korea, as one of the leading countries in the IT industry, seeks to play a more active role to meet today’s demand for qualified human resources.” Seung Hun Han, Director of ITTP. KAIST commits to serve the happiness and prosperity of humanity to contribute to the prosperity and advancement of all humanity.

 

 

As I entered the gates of this top science and technology university in South Korea, I did not clearly anticipate how the journey will be and what to expect. To paint a better picture of my journey and why my enrolment at KAIST was beyond expectation, let me briefly share my story.

I was born in Kenya in East Africa. I am the 12^th born child in my family of thirteen children -  nine brothers and four sisters. In terms of education, I was the only one privileged to complete primary education after which I received a full scholarship to pursue my High School at Starehe Boys Centre and School, a national school in Kenya. Thereafter, I received a university scholarship to undertake my undergraduate at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. My enrolment to KAIST was adding to a series of scholarships I was privileged to be awarded. I salute these institutions, especially ITTP, that are changing lives through education, and more specifically through scholarships to enable the under privileged in society to acquire a decent life. KAIST fosters talents who exhibit creativity, embrace challenges, and possess caring minds in creating knowledge and translating it into transformative innovation. KAIST believes diversity enriches community and makes people stronger and more creative.

Based on my background, the challenges I encountered as I grew up, my enrolled to KAIST ITTP was a turning point in my life. Having been selected from such a humble background, I perceived this as a golden opportunity, and a new dawn of academic excellence, enhanced collaboration and networking in line with KIAST ITTP mission: “Educating IT experts, building a global ICT network and developing global collaborations among countries and to provide mutual benefits to all the countries.”

 

Good memories of ITTP

Exceptional reception

My good memories started from the warm reception by ITTP family both students ITTP staff and Professors led by professor Rho, JaeJeung. The reception was exceptional with several briefing sessions, parties and tours. From the onset I realized that ITTP was a global family of jovial global students, friendly and courteous staff and professors who demonstrated servant-hood leadership.

I remember professors holding welcoming parties for students with their own resources. Prof. Chun Young Suk sharing snacks in class with students. This demonstrated the essence of a family. ITTP did not focus on learning in isolation to other important aspects of life, it created a conducive environment to learn and live. I remember one professor commenting that to him (I believe to all KAIST Staff) teaching/working was a form of giving back to community. Teaching/working is not about what you receive but what you give. This statement was a game changer in my perception towards work. It reminded me of this saying; “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle”, we become better by serving others.

Korean Language and Cultural trips

Learning Korean language was another memorable experience.  Despite Korean language tending to be a hard nut to crack, professors endeavour to ensure we master the language. Thanks to professor Chun Young Suk and the rest of Korean language professors who demonstrated resilience, persistence and patience.  That scaled our knowledge in Korean language to a higher level.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo changed my health. Health is wealth. I salute Master Jang. I remember his words, “if you do not exercise you will not enjoy your achievements for long because health is life and the first wealth.”  Thank you, Master Jang.

Industrial tours

ITTP offers experiential learning through Industrial tours that offers students opportunities  to engage the experts in various industries. Industrial tours offers students an experience with regard to products and services, production processes, applications, and historical backgrounds that is critical in bench-marking. The visits to smart farms, smart homes, smart factories, among many other places exposed me to a new world of excellence and technological advancements. It reaffirmed the ITTP commitment in its initiative to improve the living condition of all the countries with ICT as a driving force of the 21st Century.

 

My current status

Currently, I work at the Ministry of Energy, Nairobi, as a Principal ICT Officer. The knowledge acquired in ITTP has enabled me to head project management teams in energy related initiatives such as renewable energy management dashboard among many others. I am also involved in formulation of various policies and strategies within the energy sector.

The 16th anniversary of ITTP:

Thank you ITTP KAIST for positively transforming humanity by improving the living condition of all the countries through ICT, enhancing the Digital Opportunity of all the countries and providing mutual benefits to all the countries through Collaboration which is a key paradigm in the current global stage.

 

감사합니다.

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