Vice Chancellor Prof Isaac Kibwage honours Global Alumni Diamond Kassam for establishing the Diamond Kassam Scholarship for Supporting Egerton University’s Needy Students. Diamond Kassam began a Diploma in Dairy and Food Technology at Egerton in 1965, and now his fellowship will be sponsoring one needy student per year for the next decade, starting in September 2024. This news came to the Vice Chancellor through Global Alumni Chairman Sadru Nazarali, a classmate of Diamond Kassam’s. Kassam was one of fifteen students during his years at Egerton, not long after Egerton University began with 3 students in 1939 by Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatoon, UK, the Founder of Egerton University—initially a teaching farm only for male students. This was after his lovely girlfriend refused to marry him because the house was too small, although it has 38 rooms. The current Lord Egerton Castle, located at Ngata, which was part of Lord Egerton's farm, has now been converted into a tourism and cultural center.
From then on, the University has grown from a farm training college to a Diploma College and finally a Premier and leading Regional world-class University with over 17,000 + students and 85,000 + alumni.
According to Sadru, Kassam liked to party and loved his Tusker beer and his bottle of wine in his younger days. However, Kassam did excellent in his classes, which led him to study and career establishments abroad. His extensive dairy tech experience after graduation and field service in Tanzania is commendable.
Sadru expressed amazement at his business success, noting that while he had to leave under sad circumstances due to the Nationalization policies of Tanzania, Kassam continued with his business skills after retirement. Sadru said: “I am told that even with a disability you were able to sell 4 used cars on the phone while attending the Edmonton Reunion in 2018.
“Egertotians are a versatile breed and you are one of the best,” said Sadru further noted about Kassam and all Egerton Alumni.
In his appreciation, the Vice Chancellor noted that: “It is my honor and privilege to share his thoughts on Diamond Kassam and heartening to hear about his journey and accomplishments. Diamond Kassam's story is a testament to the resilience and determination of Egertonians, and it's truly inspiring to see how he has excelled despite facing challenges along the way.”
VC Prof. Kibwage noted: “On behalf of Egerton University, I extend our warmest congratulations to Diamond Kassam for his remarkable achievements. His dedication to his studies and his contributions to the field of dairy technology are commendable, and we are proud to count him among our alumni.”
Prof Kibwage was mainly impressed by Kassams’ success in business and his commitment to giving back through the Diamond Kassam scholarship. He noted that “Kassam generosity will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the lives of future students at Egerton University”. He conveyed the Council, Management, staff, and students' best wishes to Diamond Kassam, and looks forward to welcoming him back to Egerton one day.
He also most sincerely thanked Sadru Nazarali, the International and Global chair of Egerton Alumni for leading the Egerton University Global Alumni of the 1960s and 70s both locally and globally. Vice-chancellor appealed to all Alumni to emulate Kassam by contributing to their Alma Mater.
By Prof Paul Kimurto and Musa Kurian
Directorate of Marketing and Resource Mobilization
