Old Mutual and Faulu Empower Students at MUST with Career Mentorship and Financial Education
In an exciting event held at Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) yesterday, students had the privilege of attending a highly informative Career Mentorship and Financial Education session, courtesy of Old Mutual and Faulu Microfinance Bank (a subsidiary of UAP Old Mutual Group). The event, now in its second consecutive year, demonstrated the commitment of Old Mutual to empowering the next generation with crucial financial knowledge.
The delegation from Old Mutual was led by Claris Wananyanga, the Head of Training, alongside other members, including Robert Ndwiga, Regional Sales Manager for General Insurance, Nicholas Supa, Regional Sales Manager for Life Business, Margaret Muthura, Responsible Business Executive and Ashley Otieno from Marketing. They were warmly welcomed by our Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Romanus Odhiambo, who was accompanied by University officials: Nephat Njeru (Finance Officer), Prof. Stephen Makau (Dean of Students) and Sarah Gatwiri (Communications Officer).
The event kicked off with a morning session, where financial experts from Old Mutual and Faulu engaged students in a panel discussion moderated by MUST students. The panelists covered essential topics like savings, banking, investment and insurance, demystifying the often daunting world of personal finance. Claris Wananyanga and Robert Ndwiga led the discussions, offering practical advice and sharing insights on how students can start building solid financial foundations even while pursuing their studies.
A networking session followed, where students had the chance to engage one-on-one with the experts, seeking tailored advice and sharing their aspirations. The atmosphere was charged with energy as students from diverse academic backgrounds mingled with industry professionals, gaining valuable insights into the financial world.
The afternoon session mirrored the morning’s success, with another round of discussions and Question and Answer sessions, giving students an opportunity to participate. Old Mutual and Faulu demonstrated their dedication to creating a lasting impact by addressing the specific financial concerns of the University’s students.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Romanus Odhiambo expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Old Mutual team, noting how their decision to return to MUST for a second year speaks volumes about the strength of this partnership. He emphasized the University’s commitment to providing students with opportunities that bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world financial literacy.
A special highlight was the support from the Student Association of Meru University (SAMU) Council, led by its proactive Chairperson, Vincent Kipkorir. Their role in supporting and moderating the event was crucial to its success. Hopeking Opiyo, a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) student, took the lead as the moderator, steering the discussions with ease and professionalism. Other notable moderators included Barbara Mary Simiyu, Vice-Chairperson of SAMU (Bachelor of Science in Applied Accounting), Victor Kariuki, Secretary General of SAMU (Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine) and Finance students Faith Amin, Dominic Nduku and Charity Karata, who also played a key role in facilitating the sessions.
This event not only educated students about financial management but also fostered a sense of community and engagement. The promise of continued collaboration between Old Mutual, Faulu and MUST bodes well for future initiatives aimed at preparing students for financial independence and career success.