After escaping from the shackles of a Royal family in Saudi Arabia, Diana Chepkemoi has found another silver lining at her former Uni, the Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST).
The institution’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Romanus Odhiambo released a statement Tuesday, announcing they were willing to re-enrol Chepkemoi.
The 24-year-old deferred her studies in 2018 after facing financial challenges. She flew to Saudi Arabia in July 2021 hoping to earn enough money to complete her Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Management degree.
“I had just completed my first year and all I wanted was to ensure that the journey I had started on matters of education was completed. However, I lacked school fees and the only option that remained was to secure a job and ensure that I clear complete my studies,” Chepkemoi said.
MUST confirmed Chepkemoi deferred her studies, saying they regret the events that befell Chepkemoi after she took a break.
“Ms Chepkemoi is a student at MUST. She was admitted to MUST during the 2017 – 2018 academic year on 31st August 2017 to study Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Management under the School of Agriculture and Food Science. Ms Chepkemoi studied the programme for the first semester of the academic year. She submitted a letter of deferral due to financial constraints on 29th August 2018. The request was granted,” Prof. Odhiambo noted.
The MUST Vice Chancellor said they had approached her family to offer their support.
“We welcome back Ms Diana Chepkemoi, a member of the MUST family, to the university to complete her studies. We have informed her family of the support we shall offer her in order to successfully complete her studies. The university will place Ms Chepkemoi under the student work-study programme, a platform designed to empower needy students.”
Odhiambo added: “She will enjoy a flexible schedule to study and serve within the university library. Ms Chepkemoi will be granted accommodation within the university.”
The VC also mentioned that the University was unaware of Chepkemoi’s whereabouts during the period of the deferral. He said she had previously sought to change her course but did not report back after the request was granted.
“Ms Chepkemoi applied for a course transfer on 15th May 2019 to study for a Bachelor of Education Arts. The course transfer request was granted; however, she did not report back,” said Prof. Odhiambo.
“We commend everyone who played a part in sharing her story and ensuring we have her in safe hands. This goes to show the power of unity and love within our great country,” he added.
