Jump to content

Simon Gicharu: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
ArapKay (talk | contribs)
61 edits
No edit summary
 
(42 intermediate revisions by 28 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{No footnotes|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Dr. Simon N. Gicharu, CBS
| name = Simon N. Gicharu, CBS
[[File:Dr. Simon Gicharu, CBS, Founder and Chairman, Mount Kenya University.jpg|thumb|Founder and Chairman]]
| image = Dr. Simon Gicharu, CBS, Founder and Chairman, Mount Kenya University.jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Dr. Simon Gicharu, CBS
| caption =
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1964}}
| birth_name = Simon Gicharu
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1964|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Gathiruini]], [[Kenya]]
| birth_place = [[Gathiruini]], [[Kenya]]
| nationality = Kenyan
| nationality = Kenyan
| alma_mater ='''[[Kenyatta University]]'''<br/> {{small|([[Bachelor of Education]])}}<br/>'''
| alma_mater = '''[[Kenyatta University]]'''<br/> {{small|([[Bachelor of Education]])}}<br/>
'''[[Cranfield University]]'''<br/> {{small|Managing Enterprise Development}}<br/>'''
'''[[Cranfield University]]'''<br/> {{small|Managing Enterprise Development}}<br/>
| occupation = [[Educationist]], [[Entrepreneur]]
| occupation = [[Educationist]], [[Entrepreneur]]
| years_active = 1993–present
| years_active = 1993–present
| home_town = [[Nairobi]]
| spouse = 1
| spouse = 1
| title = '''Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees'''<br>[[Mount Kenya University]]
| title = '''Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees'''<br>[[Mount Kenya University]]
}}
}}


⚫
'''Simon Gicharu''' is an educationalist and founder of [[Mount Kenya University]], which is East and Central Africa’s largest private university. He is also the founder of [[Mount Kigali University]] in Rwanda. He was born in 1964 in Gathiruini village, [[Kiambu County]], Kenya. He is the first in a family of seven. Gicharu is also the Chairman of the '''Water''' Services '''Regulatory [https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/education/article/2001452788/mkus-gicharu-among-officials-listed-to-head-state-corporations Board]''' and National Private Universities Owners Association of Kenya. He is the founder of Equip Africa Institute and patron of the Mount Kenya University Graduate Enterprise Academy. He is also a board member at Thika Water and Sewerage Company, and the patron of Inter Universities Rover Moot under the [[The Kenya Scouts Association|Kenya Scouts Association]]. In 2015, Gicharu was named the Eastern African [[Ernst & Young|Ernst and Young]] Entrepreneur of the Year, and subsequently inducted into the Ernst and Young Hall of Fame. He is married with three children.
==Introduction==


⚫
==Early life and education==
⚫
'''Dr. Simon Gicharu''' is an educationalist and founder of '''[[Mount Kenya University]]''', which is East and Central Africa’s largest private university. He was born in 1964 in Gathiruini village, in [[Kiambu|Kiambu County]], Kenya. He is the first in a family of seven. Dr. Gicharu is also the Chairman of the [http://www.rea.co.ke/ Rural Electrification Authority] and National Private Universities Owners Association of Kenya. He is the founder of [http://www.equip-africa.co.ke/ Equip Africa Institute] and patron of the [http://www.mku.ac.ke/enterprise-academy/ Graduate Enterprise Academy]. He is also a board member at [http://thikawater.co.ke/ Thika Water and Sewerage Company], and the patron of Inter Universities Rover Moot under the [[The Kenya Scouts Association|Kenya Scouts Association]]. In 2015, Dr. Gicharu was named the Eastern African [[Ernst & Young|Ernst and Young]] Entrepreneur of the Year. He is married with three children.
⚫
His early life experiences were the cauldron in which his successful characteristic traits were shaped. As a pupil at Kiawairia Primary School and later Gathiruini Secondary School, Gicharu had to walk many kilometres to and from school. His parents were peasant farmers and their small piece of land, which they tilled for subsistence, provided barely enough for their upkeep. To supplement the domestic income, Gicharu, alongside his siblings, picked coffee at large commercials farms where he was paid by the kilo.


⚫
At [[Murang'a High School|Murang’a High School]] where he undertook his O-Levels, he was the captain in his final year. While in school, he etched a reputation for entrepreneurial acumen, and for assisting fellow students in Mathematics, a subject he excelled in.
⚫
==Early Life and Education==


⚫
Gicharu obtained a Bachelor of Education Science (Honours) degree from [[Kenyatta University]] in 1990. His majors were Mathematics and Chemistry. Soon after graduation, he continued to exercise his passion for education, teaching his favourite Maths subject at various secondary schools in Kenya, and later at the [[Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology]], and at the Thika Technical Training Institute. He would also author Kenya’s first post-secondary school book on Mathematics, Applied Mathematics for Craft Engineering.
⚫
His early life experiences were the cauldron in which his successful characteristic traits were shaped. As a pupil at '''Kiawairia Primary School''' and later '''Gathiruini Secondary School''', Dr. Gicharu had to walk many kilometres to and from school. His parents were peasant farmers and their small piece of land, which they tilled for subsistence, provided barely enough for their upkeep. To supplement the domestic income, Dr. Gicharu, alongside his siblings, picked coffee at large commercials farms where he was paid by the kilo.


⚫
==Entrepreneurship==
⚫
At '''Murang’a High School''' where he undertook his O-Levels, he was the captain in his final year. While in school, he etched a reputation for entrepreneurial acumen, and for assisting fellow students in Mathematics, a subject he was very good at.
⚫
Gicharu has also previously worked as a lecturer at Thika Technical Training Institute. In 1995, he earned a British Council scholarship to study Managing Enterprise Development at Cranfield University, Britain. When he came back he established Kenya Entrepreneurship Promotion Programme (KEPP), which provided micro-loans and training to young entrepreneurs. His seed capital was only Ksh20,000 (US$220). KEPP later started offering training in Computers and changed its name to Thika School of Management Studies (TSMS), with introduction of Management courses.
⚫
Gradually, TSMS increased its student enrolment and the number of courses. The type of courses it offered was determined by the [[job]] demands of the day and with the explosion in use of information science and [[technology]], TSMS changed its name to Thika Institute of Technology (TIT) in 2003. TIT was the first private college in [[Kenya]] to be accredited to offer the Diploma programme in [[Pharmacy]]
Gicharu is also the founder of Cape Media, which owns [[TV47 Kenya|TV47]] and Radio 47 in Kenya.


⚫
==University==
⚫
Mr Gicharu obtained a '''Bachelor of Education Science (Honours)''' degree from [[Kenyatta University]] in 1990. His majors were Mathematics and Chemistry. Soon after graduation, he continued to exercise his passion for education, teaching his favourite Maths subject at various secondary schools in Kenya, and later at the [[Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology]], and at the [http://wikimapia.org/9568852/Thika-Technical-Training-Institute Thika Technical Training Institute]. He would also author Kenya’s first post-secondary school book on Mathematics, [http://maktaba.ku.ac.ke/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=99353 Applied Mathematics for Craft Engineering].
⚫
In 2008, the Institute was awarded a Letter of Interim Authority by the Commission for University Education in Kenya, to operate as an independent university under the name Mount Kenya University. The university was granted a full Charter status in 2011. At the age of 46 years, Gicharu became the youngest Kenyan to have established a chartered university. The only other indigenous Chartered university was started by the former President Daniel Arap Moi. Mount Kenya University, with 16 Campuses and Centres in Kenya, Rwanda, Somaliland, Tanzania, Burundi and Uganda employs over 3,000 people and has a student population of about 50,000. The University is a member of Inter-university Council of East Africa and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.


⚫
==Awards==
⚫
== Entrepreneurship ==
⚫
*"1st Class Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS)." The highest award a civilian can get in Kenya. He was accorded the title by the President of the Republic of Kenya in 2013 in recognition of his contribution to the growth of tertiary education in Kenya.
⚫
Dr. Gicharu has also previously worked as a lecturer at [http://www.thikatechnical.ac.ke/ Thika Technical Training Institute]. In 1995, he earned a [http://www.britishcouncil.org/ British Council ] scholarship to study Managing Enterprise Development at [https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/ Cranfield University], [[Britain]]. When he came back he established Kenya Entrepreneurship Promotion Programme (KEPP), which provided micro-loans and training to young [[Entrepreneurship|entrepreneurs]]. His seed capital was only ''Ksh20,000 (US$220)''' . KEPP later started offering training in [[Computer|computers]] and changed its name to Thika School of Management Studies (TSMS), with introduction of [[Management]] courses.
*"2016 Honorary Professorship [[International_University_of_Management|International University of Management, Namibia]]"
⚫
Gradually, TSMS increased its student enrolment and the number of courses. The type of courses it offered was determined by the [[job]] demands of the day and with the explosion in use of information science and [[technology]], TSMS changed its name to Thika Institute of Technology (TIT) in 2003.
⚫
*"2015 World Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame"

⚫
*"2014 [[Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award|Eastern Africa Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year]]"
That same year, Dr. Gicharu, resolved that Science training would be the backbone of TIT. He made a blind trip to [[India]], on scanty information that at the [[Punjab State]], they were assembling [[Science]] equipment in cottage industries that was relatively affordable. Dr. Gicharu immediately purchased the equipment. TIT was the first private college in [[Kenya]] to be accredited to offer the Diploma programme in [[Pharmacy]].
⚫
*"Doctor of Science" - Received from [[Gulu University]]

⚫
*"Outstanding Alumni" - Received from his alma mater, [[Kenyatta University]]
⚫
== The University ==
⚫
*"Superlative Trailblazer Award" - Awarded by the Marketing Society of Kenya

⚫
In 2008, the Institute was awarded a Letter of Interim Authority by the [http://www.cue.or.ke/ Commission for University Education] in Kenya to operate as an independent university under the name Mount Kenya University. The university was granted a full Charter status in 2011. At the age of 46 years, Dr. Gicharu became the '''youngest Kenyan''' to have established a '''Chartered university'''. The only other indigenous Chartered university was started by the former President H.E Daniel Arap Moi. '''Mount Kenya University''', with 16 Campuses and Centres in Kenya, Rwanda, Somaliland, Tanzania, Burundi and Uganda employs over 3,000 people and has a student population of about 50,000. The University is a member of [http://www.iucea.org/ Inter-university Council of East Africa ] and the [https://www.acu.ac.uk/ Association of Commonwealth Universities]

⚫
== Awards ==

⚫
'''1st Class Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS).'''
⚫
The highest award a civilian can get in Kenya. He was accorded the title by H.E the President of the Republic of Kenya in 2013 in recognition of his contribution to the growth of tertiary education in Kenya.

⚫
"2015 World Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame"

⚫
"2014 [[Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award|Eastern Africa Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year ]]"

"Doctor of Science"
⚫
Received from [[Gulu University]]

"Outstanding Alumni"
⚫
Received from his alma mater, [[Kenyatta University]]

"Superlative Trailblazer Award"
⚫
Awarded by the [http://msk.co.ke/ Marketing Society of Kenya]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
* https://www.nation.co.ke/news/education/MKU-founder-honoured-in-Namibia/2643604-3394050-53icxe/index.html Mt Kenya University founder Simon Gicharu honoured as professor in Namibia
<ref>http://allafrica.com/stories/201410271940.html</ref>
* {{cite web|last=Wainaina |first=James |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201410271940.html |title=Kenya: How Gicharu Started MKU With Sh19,000 |publisher=allAfrica.com |date=2014-10-27 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/meet-the-boss-simon-gicharu-founder-mount-kenya-university/25206</ref>
* {{cite web|author= |url=http://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/meet-the-boss-simon-gicharu-founder-mount-kenya-university/25206 |title=Meet the Boss: Simon Gicharu, founder, Mount Kenya University |publisher=Howwemadeitinafrica.com |date=2013-03-27 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://mediamaxnetwork.co.ke/peopledaily/114769/uganda-university-awards-mku-founder</ref>
* [http://mediamaxnetwork.co.ke/peopledaily/114769/uganda-university-awards-mku-founder] {{dead link|date=June 2015}}
<ref>http://[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ef9a136e-603f-11e4-88d1-00144feabdc0.html Investors seize on opportunities of expanding private universities in Kenya]</ref>
<ref>http://[http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000121416/simon-gicharu-moved-to-rural-electrification Gicharu moved to Rural Electrification Authority ]</ref>
* {{cite web|url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000121416/simon-gicharu-moved-to-rural-electrification |title=Standard Digital News : : Business - Simon Gicharu moved to Rural Electrification |publisher=Standardmedia.co.ke |date=2014-05-17 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000122090/simon-gicharu-promises-24hr-services-at-rea Simon Gicharu promises 24-hour services at REA]</ref>
* {{cite web|last=Mbaka |first=James |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000122090/simon-gicharu-promises-24hr-services-at-rea |title=Standard Digital News - Kenya : Simon Gicharu promises 24hr services at REA |publisher=Standardmedia.co.ke |date=2014-05-23 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://universitytimesafrica.com/index.php/latest-news/207-gulu-awards-mku-founder-honorary-doctorate</ref>
* {{cite web |url=http://universitytimesafrica.com/index.php/latest-news/207-gulu-awards-mku-founder-honorary-doctorate |title=Why Gulu awarded MKU founder honorary doctorate |publisher=Universitytimesafrica.com |accessdate=2015-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621164757/http://universitytimesafrica.com/index.php/latest-news/207-gulu-awards-mku-founder-honorary-doctorate |archive-date=21 June 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
<ref>http://www.mku.ac.ke/index.php/about-mku/2013-10-03-05-37-34/board-of-governors/153-word-from-the-chairman-the-mku-chairman-mr-simon-gicharu</ref>
* {{cite web|url=http://www.mku.ac.ke/index.php/about-mku/2013-10-03-05-37-34/board-of-governors/153-word-from-the-chairman-the-mku-chairman-mr-simon-gicharu |title=Word from the Chairman - The MKU Chairman: Mr. Simon Gicharu |publisher=Mku.ac.ke |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000164690/why-and-when-should-one-choose-a-career/ Why and when should one choose a career?]</ref>
* {{cite web|last=Kinoti |first=Martin |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000164690/why-and-when-should-one-choose-a-career/ |title=Standard Digital News - Kenya : Why and when should one choose a career? |publisher=Standardmedia.co.ke |date=2015-06-05 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://allafrica.com/stories/201505150645.html Africa's future lies with our universities]</ref>
* {{cite web|last=Muchangi |first=John |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201505150645.html |title=Africa's Future Lies With Our Universities - Gicharu |publisher=allAfrica.com |date=2015-05-14 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000163180/to-develop-kenya-needs-technology-skills-to-use-the-billions-from-donors To develop, Kenya needs technology skills to use the billions from donors]</ref>
* {{cite web|url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000163180/to-develop-kenya-needs-technology-skills-to-use-the-billions-from-donors |title=Standard Digital News : : Business - To develop, Kenya needs technology skills to use the billions from donors |publisher=Standardmedia.co.ke |date=2015-05-23 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2015/04/mku-founder-named-regional-entrepreneur-of-the-year-by-ey/ MKU Founder named regional entrepreneur of the year]</ref>
* {{cite web|url=http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2015/04/mku-founder-named-regional-entrepreneur-of-the-year-by-ey/ |title=MKU founder named regional entrepreneur of the year by EY &#124; Capital Business |publisher=Capitalfm.co.ke |date= 30 April 2015|accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.nation.co.ke/news/education/Career-educationist-lands-in-Hall-of-Fame/-/2643604/2740648/-/11p29ywz/-/index.html Career Educationist Lands in Hall of Fame]</ref>
* {{cite web|author= |url=http://www.nation.co.ke/news/education/Career-educationist-lands-in-Hall-of-Fame/-/2643604/2740648/-/11p29ywz/-/index.html |title=Career educationist lands in Hall of Fame - Education &#124; Daily Nation |publisher=Nation.co.ke |date=2014-05-21 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000164644/mount-kenya-university-founder-inducted-into-hall-of-fame Mount Kenya University founder inducted into Hall of Fame]</ref>
* {{cite web|last=Maichuhie |first=Kamau |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000164644/mount-kenya-university-founder-inducted-into-hall-of-fame |title=Standard Digital News - Kenya : Mount Kenya University founder inducted into Hall of Fame |publisher=Standardmedia.co.ke |date=2015-06-05 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.magazinereel.com/gicharu-mku-founder-to-be-inducted-into-the-hall-of-fame/ Gicharu, MKU Founder to be inducted into Hall of Fame]</ref>
* {{cite web|author= |url=http://www.magazinereel.com/gicharu-mku-founder-to-be-inducted-into-the-hall-of-fame/ |title=Gicharu, MKU Founder to be Inducted into 'The Hall of Fame.' - Magazine Reel &#124; The Best Kenyan Campus News SiteMagazine Reel &#124; The Best Kenyan Campus News Site |publisher=Magazine Reel |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.coastweek.com/3816-extra-03.htm Nationwide Primary School Electrification Commences]</ref>
* {{cite web|author= |url=http://www.coastweek.com/3816-extra-03.htm |title=The most from the coast |publisher=Coastweek |date=2015-04-30 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/campus/mku-sets-aside-sh300m-for-a-tower-campus-in-kisumu/ MKU sets aside Sh300million for a tower in Kisumu]</ref>
* {{cite web|author= |url=http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/campus/mku-sets-aside-sh300m-for-a-tower-campus-in-kisumu/ |title=MKU sets aside Sh300M for a tower campus in Kisumu &#124; Capital Campus |publisher=Capitalfm.co.ke |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.sde.co.ke/thenairobian/article/2000159341/i-picked-coffee-to-supplement-family-income-founder-of-mt-kenya-university I picked coffee to supplement the family income]</ref>
* {{cite web|last=Samora |first=Mwaura |url=http://www.sde.co.ke/thenairobian/article/2000159341/i-picked-coffee-to-supplement-family-income-founder-of-mt-kenya-university |title=Entertainment News - Kenya : : The Nairobian - I picked coffee to supplement family income - Founder of Mt Kenya University |publisher=Sde.co.ke |date=2015-06-01 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000158550/rural-electrification-authority-shelves-signage-plan-to-save-sh1-8-billion REA shelves signage plan to save Sh1.8 billion]</ref>
* {{cite web|url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000158550/rural-electrification-authority-shelves-signage-plan-to-save-sh1-8-billion |title=Standard Digital News : : Business - Rural Electrification Authority shelves signage plan to save Sh1.8 billion |publisher=Standardmedia.co.ke |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/article/2000140291/african-scholars-told-to-research-on-ebola-and-stop-relying-on-the-west African Scholars challenged to research on Ebola]</ref>
* {{cite web|url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/article/2000140291/african-scholars-told-to-research-on-ebola-and-stop-relying-on-the-west |title=Standard Digital News : : Health - African scholars told to research on Ebola and stop relying on the West |publisher=Standardmedia.co.ke |date=2014-11-03 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}
<ref>http://[http://www.sde.co.ke/thenairobian/article/2000160521/murang-a-high-where-cheeky-boys-sneaked-out-to-go-milk-neighbours-cows-illegally Murang'a High: Where cheeky boys sneeked out to milk neighbour's cows]</ref>
* {{cite web|last=Nyanchwani |first=Silas |url=http://www.sde.co.ke/thenairobian/article/2000160521/murang-a-high-where-cheeky-boys-sneaked-out-to-go-milk-neighbours-cows-illegally |title=Entertainment News - Kenya : : The Nairobian - Murang'a High: Where cheeky boys sneaked out to go milk neighbours' cows illegally |publisher=Sde.co.ke |date=2015-04-30 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}


{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata
| NAME = Gicharu, Simon
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1964
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Gathiruini]], [[Kenya]]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gicharu, Simon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gicharu, Simon}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
⚫
[[Category:Chiefs of the Order of the Burning Spear]]
[[Category:Alumni of Cranfield University]]
[[Category:Kenyan businesspeople]]
[[Category:Kenyan educators]]
[[Category:Kenyatta University alumni]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology]]

Latest revision as of 14:05, 23 October 2024

Simon N. Gicharu, CBS
Born1964 (age 60–61)
Gathiruini, Kenya
NationalityKenyan
Alma materKenyatta University
(Bachelor of Education)
Cranfield University
Managing Enterprise Development
Occupation(s)Educationist, Entrepreneur
Years active1993–present
TitleFounder and Chairman, Board of Trustees
Mount Kenya University
Spouse1

Simon Gicharu is an educationalist and founder of Mount Kenya University, which is East and Central Africa’s largest private university. He is also the founder of Mount Kigali University in Rwanda. He was born in 1964 in Gathiruini village, Kiambu County, Kenya. He is the first in a family of seven. Gicharu is also the Chairman of the Water Services Regulatory Board and National Private Universities Owners Association of Kenya. He is the founder of Equip Africa Institute and patron of the Mount Kenya University Graduate Enterprise Academy. He is also a board member at Thika Water and Sewerage Company, and the patron of Inter Universities Rover Moot under the Kenya Scouts Association. In 2015, Gicharu was named the Eastern African Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and subsequently inducted into the Ernst and Young Hall of Fame. He is married with three children.

Early life and education

[edit]

His early life experiences were the cauldron in which his successful characteristic traits were shaped. As a pupil at Kiawairia Primary School and later Gathiruini Secondary School, Gicharu had to walk many kilometres to and from school. His parents were peasant farmers and their small piece of land, which they tilled for subsistence, provided barely enough for their upkeep. To supplement the domestic income, Gicharu, alongside his siblings, picked coffee at large commercials farms where he was paid by the kilo.

At Murang’a High School where he undertook his O-Levels, he was the captain in his final year. While in school, he etched a reputation for entrepreneurial acumen, and for assisting fellow students in Mathematics, a subject he excelled in.

Gicharu obtained a Bachelor of Education Science (Honours) degree from Kenyatta University in 1990. His majors were Mathematics and Chemistry. Soon after graduation, he continued to exercise his passion for education, teaching his favourite Maths subject at various secondary schools in Kenya, and later at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and at the Thika Technical Training Institute. He would also author Kenya’s first post-secondary school book on Mathematics, Applied Mathematics for Craft Engineering.

Entrepreneurship

[edit]

Gicharu has also previously worked as a lecturer at Thika Technical Training Institute. In 1995, he earned a British Council scholarship to study Managing Enterprise Development at Cranfield University, Britain. When he came back he established Kenya Entrepreneurship Promotion Programme (KEPP), which provided micro-loans and training to young entrepreneurs. His seed capital was only Ksh20,000 (US$220). KEPP later started offering training in Computers and changed its name to Thika School of Management Studies (TSMS), with introduction of Management courses. Gradually, TSMS increased its student enrolment and the number of courses. The type of courses it offered was determined by the job demands of the day and with the explosion in use of information science and technology, TSMS changed its name to Thika Institute of Technology (TIT) in 2003. TIT was the first private college in Kenya to be accredited to offer the Diploma programme in Pharmacy Gicharu is also the founder of Cape Media, which owns TV47 and Radio 47 in Kenya.

University

[edit]

In 2008, the Institute was awarded a Letter of Interim Authority by the Commission for University Education in Kenya, to operate as an independent university under the name Mount Kenya University. The university was granted a full Charter status in 2011. At the age of 46 years, Gicharu became the youngest Kenyan to have established a chartered university. The only other indigenous Chartered university was started by the former President Daniel Arap Moi. Mount Kenya University, with 16 Campuses and Centres in Kenya, Rwanda, Somaliland, Tanzania, Burundi and Uganda employs over 3,000 people and has a student population of about 50,000. The University is a member of Inter-university Council of East Africa and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Awards

[edit]

References

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Simon_Gicharu&oldid=1252911065"