Renowned cardiologist Dr Betty Gikonyo has challenged corporates and university alumni groups to sponsor needy students in various academic disciplines to enable them realise their dreams.

Dr Gikonyo, the Chairperson of The Karen Hospital, said many bright students cannot afford exorbitant fees and other costs charged by universities, leading to failure to develop their talent.

Dr Gikonyo said corporates and well organised university alumni should make sponsorship of talented students part of their agenda, without waiting for international philanthropists to come to their aid.

She was speaking at The Karen Hospital where she received a group of medicine students sponsored by the University of Nairobi Class of 1970, to which she is a member.

“We the Class of 1970, decided to set up a scholarship fund as a way of giving back to the society that educated us for free during our time. We appeal to other well-placed alumni and corporates to help give a chance to many students who cannot afford university fees,” she said.

The students had earlier been addressed by another member of the 1970 Class, prominent psychiatrist Dr Frank Njenga, at the Chiromo Campus.

Dr Gikonyo noted that if more such scholarships were formed in Kenya, the impact would be felt widely by beneficiaries who would realise their dream despite their lowly financial status.

Dr Gikonyo added: “Education is a game-changer as some of us have come to realise. However, unlike our time when we went to university for free and got paid some upkeep amount, today many students are missing opportunities because they cannot afford fees.”

She called on the private sector, and especially the medical practitioners, to chip in and enable the young scholars to achieve their dreams, noting that medicine courses are among the most expensive offered in universities.