Our Blog

We are DEKEMP, We are change makers…

Navigating the “No”: How to Handle Academic and Career Rejection

You will get a “no.” Not once, not politely and not when you’re prepared for it. It won’t always be spaced out across your life. Sometimes, rejections come in clusters that make you question your timing, your effort, and your direction. It looks like: An application...

The Deadline Trap: Why Early Action is the Ultimate Form of Excellence

Lola was a brilliant student with a clear vision: a Master’s degree in Engineering from a top-tier university abroad. She had the grades and the ambition, but every scholarship season turned into a recurring nightmare of stress and "what-ifs." One night, at 11:58 PM,...

The Power of Visibility: Networking for the Introverted Professional

There is a common misconception in the professional world: that to be successful, you must be the loudest person in the room. For many scholars and professionals, especially those of us who are naturally introverted, the idea of "networking" feels like a forced...

Systems Over Goals: Why Your “Process” Matters More Than Your “Dream”

We have all been there. The first week of a new goal is filled with fire. You are waking up early, drafting that Statement of Purpose, or posting daily for your business. But then, the "rain" falls. You get a headache. A rejection letter comes in the mail. A family...

The Mirror Rule: Why Your Success is a Reflection of You

In my journey as an educator, a Program Director, and the founder of EduPlay, I have spent years studying strategies for growth. But recently, during a business session led by Awesomeness, I heard a truth that shifted my entire perspective on leadership and...

The Application Gap: Moving Beyond “Ticking the Box”

Last week, I shared a vulnerable piece of my journey, how grief paused my life and how I had to learn to ShowUp again, not just with presence, but with intention. As I reflect on that, I realize that many scholars and professionals fall into a similar trap when...

ShowUp: With Intention, With Excellence

In December last year, my life took a sharp, difficult turn. I lost my father. In the quiet that followed, I kept telling myself a comforting lie: “Next week, I will get back on my feet. Next week, I will return to my business. Next week, I will #ShowUp again.” But...

The Road to ‘Yes’: Stories of Grit, Rejection, and Unshakable Hope

In the world of scholarship hunting, resilience doesn’t always come with a loud voice or a victory parade. Sometimes, it’s the quiet tapping of a keyboard at 2 a.m. after your fiftieth rejection. Sometimes, it’s showing up again and again with a slightly better essay,...

Spotlight on a Kempite: Bashir Bilya’s Fierce Pursuit of a PhD Dream

“After my 53rd rejection, I stopped applying. I stopped talking about scholarships. I was emotionally drained. But eventually, I got up again.” For most people, a single rejection can feel like a dead end. For Bashir Bilya, it became a detour not a stop sign. Bashir...

Spotlight on a Kempite Who Secured a Fully Funded Scholarship: Favour Onoharigho’s Inspiring Journey

When determination meets preparation, success is often inevitable. This is the story of Favour Onoharigho, a resilient Kempite whose journey from a Biochemistry graduate to an Erasmus Mundus scholar and now a Ph.D candidate in Biomedical Sciences at the University of...

Introducing Our Research Hub: Unveiling A World of Discovery

Welcome to the official blog of DEKEMP Research Hub! We're thrilled to embark on this journey of knowledge-sharing and exploration with you. In this inaugural post, we would like to lay out the aims and vision that define our research hub, offer a glimpse into our...

Celebrating DEKEMP@4

We are excited to announce and commence the jubilant celebration of DEKEMP's upcoming anniversary milestone. Throughout its journey, DEKEMP has remained steadfast in upholding its fundamental values of Community Support, Selfless Service, Inclusivity, Continuous...