Kenyans have continued to hit new milestones after an officer working with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) received a prestigious Master's Degree on a US scholarship program.
In his graduation speech shared by the US Embassy in Kenya on Sunday, May 22, the graduate, Captain Jamal Hassan, was visibly ecstatic about his achievement.
He pursued a master's degree at the University of Oklahoma and became the first KDF officer who achieved the feat on a scholarship under the Fulbright Program.
He was awarded the Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics.
"Well done Captain Jamal Hassan who was conferred with a Masters in Data Science and Analytics from the University of Oklahoma. Captain Hassan is the first military officer with KDF to earn a Fulbright Scholarship Programme," the Embassy congratulated him.
The elated graduate thanked his family and friends for grazing his big day and hailed Fulbright for according him the rare opportunity.
"Dean Clear, faculty, fellow graduates, family and friends, my name is Captain Jamal Hassan, a military officer with the Kenya Defence Forces, a Fulbright Scholarship award recipient and importantly, I am a member of the 2022 graduating class and I am representing both the graduate college and the Gallogly College of Engineering.
"It is indeed my greatest honour to officially welcome you to the spring 2022 Gallogly College of Engineering Convocation. On behalf of my fellow graduates, thank you to all the family and friends that have joined us today to share in this auspicious day and celebration," he stated.
Fulbright is the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program that has been in operation for 75 years since 1946.
The US Congress appropriates funds every year which is used in funding the program in partnership with other foreign governments.
Annually, over 8,000 students receive scholarships in the United States and 160 countries ranging from scholars, teachers, artists, and other professionals.
Since its inception, over 400,000 Fulbrighters from the United States and 165 countries, supported by the American people and partner governments around the world, have studied, taught, and conducted research in each other’s countries while promoting international understanding and collaboration as participants and alumni.
