Kenyan lady Dorcas Tuitoek is on track to becoming one of Africa’s youngest PhD holders, a journey marked by impressive milestones, including finishing at the top of her class.

Dorcas graduated from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) in 2022 and earned a first-class honours degree. She was also named the best student in her graduating class and was rightfully accorded the prestigious title of Valedictorian.

In an interview with The Management Diary, Dorcas noted that despite all the hard work she put in and the gratitude she felt for her accomplishments, it was still a surreal moment when she found out she was the Valedictorian of her graduating class.

“I never wanted a valedictorian, but I grew up wanting to be in spaces where I can speak up, read a speech or deliver a presentation and it came in that manner. I am very grateful for that,” the Rhodes scholar stated.

Right after the graduation celebrations ended, Dorcas dove into applying for the Rhodes Scholarship. Though daunting, she wanted to gain valuable experience from the application process and aimed to pursue a master’s degree.

“Just as most people are, making a bet on a big thing is very scary and not an easy thing to do. Although I knew that I was capable of getting the Rhodes scholarship, I did not think I would get it,” she recalled.

“But the people around me made me believe in myself. I saw it as an opportunity to learn how to write and learn to engage better and communicate.”

Dorcas successfully undertook all prerequisites an interviews and a chance to pursue a PhD in Engineering Science at Oxford University. She took it with wide open arms.

“I decided to do the PhD because the scholarship offered the opportunity.”

18-year-old African girl becomes youngest PhD holder in US

She also landed a job at Deloitte in the Risk Advisory department. Her experience there made her seriously consider a corporate career as it got her interested in the role.

Dorcas Tuitoek has ever been a brilliant student. Her academic excellence shone through her late teen years when she sat her KCSE exams and scored an A plain.

“I am passionate about energy, sustainability and environmental management and I am keen to use engineering tools as well as chemical engineering and inter-disciplinary experiences and knowledge to help address key global concerns such as energy insecurity and sustainable development through research and knowledge sharing.”

“Integrity, honesty and ethical work are my pillars,” Tuitoek asserted.