Obuya Oloo Tryphone, M’28, first heard about Ashesi’s Master’s in Mechatronic Engineering when some friends who had previously enrolled shared a flyer with him. He went online to do more research, and the detail that struck him the most was on Ashesi’s honour code.  

“Even before I found out about the campus environment and facilities, I remember seeing a video of students signing their names on a whiteboard, committing themselves to being honest.”

He was impressed with the idea that integrity and accountability were at the forefront of Ashesi’s mission and was curious to see how these values manifested. After also reading about the visiting faculty from ETH-Zurich and the fact that graduates could obtain a dual master of science (MSc) and master of advanced studies (MAS), he was fully convinced to apply.  

Having completed his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, Oloo worked as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Technical University of Kenya. Now back in the classroom as a student, he hopes to fulfil his fascination with practical, hands-on engineering projects.

Beyond the class, Oloo believes it’s important to nurture multiple facets of the self. In the past, he has sought out “thought-oriented” extra-curricular groups that allow participants to engage in philosophical discussions. He is also a big fan of playing pool, as he says, “it helps to develop focus.”