On Friday, 21st November 2025, the halls of The Tamarind Tree Hotel and Restaurant buzzed with a unique blend of ambition and seasoned accomplishment. In a landmark gathering, the incoming PhD in Business and Management cohort was welcomed alongside the PhD in Healthcare Management cohort, which had just completed its first year of coursework. This joint dinner beautifully captured the continuous cycle of the #DoctoralJourney, celebrating a milestone for one group while marking the beginning for another.
The evening was more than a meal; it was a vibrant, interdisciplinary exchange. It provided a platform for the newer Business and Management scholars, who are midway through their first year, to connect with their Healthcare Management peers, who have already navigated the initial rigors of the program.
The scholars were welcomed with inspiring advice from faculty, who offered guidance for the steps immediately ahead of them.
Prof. Aihie Osarenkhoe, Professor of Marketing at Galve University, Sweden, framed the doctoral experience as a profound exploration. He encouraged students to see their PhD not just as a program, but as a tool for discovery, urging them to “use this experience to explore what you do not know.” He emphasized the importance of engaging deeply in research and maintaining a healthy work-life balance to sustain the long journey ahead.
Dr. John Olukuru highlighted the power of collaboration, a theme especially relevant for these two intertwined fields. “A PhD is collaboration; it can get you places,” he stated, reminding the students that while they will master complex skills, their attitude and ability to work with others would be the true differentiator in their careers.
Prof. Simon Wagura Ndiritu, Director of the Strathmore Agri-Food and Innovation Center, provided a powerful historical context and offered a key insight for pioneering researchers: “If you don’t get stuck, you’re not doing something new.” This served as a vital reassurance that challenges are not signs of failure, but of innovation.
Finally, Prof. Gilbert Kokwaro, Director of the Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM), encouraged the students to document their journey. He was candid about the road ahead, noting that “the easy things have already been done,” but assured them that the process of solving complex problems at the nexus of business and health would be intensely rewarding.
Dr. Mary Nyamongo, Executive Director of the African Institute for Health & Development (AIHD) and an Adjunct Faculty Member at Strathmore University, delivered a heartfelt and empowering message to the scholars, congratulating them for beginning their journey and completing their first year, urging them to keep the PhD fire burning. She reminded the students that a PhD is not merely an academic credential but a commitment to curiosity, resilience, and purpose-driven scholarship.
The structure of the cohorts created a natural mentorship dynamic. The Healthcare Management students, having completed their coursework, embodied resilience and could offer practical advice on navigating the first year. Meanwhile, the Business and Management cohort, immersed in their studies, brought a current, energetic perspective. This interaction underscored a core principle: the most significant challenges in both business and healthcare are not solved in isolation. The conversations started between a seasoned healthcare scholar and a budding business strategist over dinner are the very connections that foster innovation.
Congratulations to the PhD in Healthcare Management cohort on completing a rigorous first year. And a warm welcome to the PhD in Business and Management cohort as you continue your journey.
The PhD Programme in Business and Management is a rigorous, research-intensive Doctoral Programme, designed to develop high-impact scholars, industry thinkers, and transformative leaders. Rooted in strong academic theory and practical relevance, the Programme equips candidates with advanced research skills to investigate complex business challenges and generate evidence-based solutions. Students work closely with experienced faculty and engage in interdisciplinary inquiry, fostering a deeper understanding of emerging issues in management, strategy, leadership, entrepreneurship, and organizational development. Through coursework, seminars, and supervised research, the programme prepares scholars to contribute new knowledge to the field, influence policy and practice, and excel in academia, consultancy, and executive leadership roles. Learn more about this Programme here
The PhD in Healthcare Management Programme is a comprehensive and research-driven Doctoral Programme designed to equip scholars with the expertise needed to address complex challenges within health systems. Grounded in interdisciplinary learning, the programme integrates principles of management, policy, economics, and public health to develop leaders capable of driving innovation and strengthening healthcare delivery. Candidates engage in rigorous coursework and advanced research that prepares them to generate impactful evidence, influence health policy, and design sustainable solutions for both local and global health contexts. Guided by seasoned faculty and supported by a collaborative learning environment, students develop the analytical, strategic, and leadership skills necessary to make meaningful contributions to academia, government, and the broader healthcare ecosystem. Learn more about this Programme here
Article by Juliet Hinga & Miriam Wafula
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