DLPDI Launches Director's Award for Academic Excellence

L-R :Solomon Mikal (Business Studies), Nelliey Muhonja  (Counselling Psychology)  and Miriam Ndinda Mulwa (Counselling Psychology) receiving certificates from the Director DLPDI, Dr. Patrick Musembi during the Launch of Director's Award for Academic Excellence in Nairobi Campus.

By Raphael Mutuku

[Nairobi: June 10, 2026] DLPDI has Launched Director's Award for Academic Excellence. The award which aims at recognizing students who have excelled in academics, saw the first five certificate students receive the Director’s Award for exemplary academic performance in the January 2026 Trimester.  

Solomon Mikal (Business Studies), Angel Kayla Kinda (Counselling Psychology), Miraya Malaak Ayuen (International Relations), Miriam Ndinda Mulwa (Counselling Psychology), and Nelliey Muhonja Kilibwa (Counselling Psychology) emerged top of the class with GPAs of 3.55, 3.54, 3.49, 3.48 and 3.41 on a scale of 4.00, respectively.

The Director’s Award, the equivalent of the Dean’s List award for undergraduate students, was announced when the DLPDI Director, Rev. Dr. Patrick Musembi, hosted approximately 70 certificate students for the inaugural Director's Tea, a special initiative that brought together students, alumni, and DLPDI leadership for a time of reflection, encouragement, and celebration.

Rev. Dr. Patrick Musembi, along with Deputy Director, Rev. Mrs. Jane Irungu and members of the DLPDI team provided a platform for students to share their experiences and reflect on their learning journey at Daystar University.

The Director's Tea featured inspiring testimonies of personal and professional transformation outstanding students experienced from the certificate program.

CPA Miriam Ndinda Mulwa, a Chief Finance Officer with a Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) from Moi University who is also a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K) took the DLPDI Certificate in Counselling Psychology as a career progression pathway.  She plans to join the Masters in Clinical Psychology in September 2026.  CPA Mulwa praised the supportive learning environment, practical knowledge, and mentorship they had received from DLPDI.

Also sharing her journey was Mrs. Nelliey Muhonja Kilibwa, a Chaplain at the Aga Khan Main Hospital in Nairobi, who enrolled in the certificate programme to strengthen her counselling and pastoral care skills. Since completing the certificate program, she has enrolled for a Diploma in Counselling Psychology at Daystar University. 

The awardees challenged fellow students to make the most of opportunities available to them and to remain committed to excellence both academically and professionally.

While congratulating the awardees, Rev. Dr. Musembi encouraged certificate students to pursue excellence with dedication, discipline, and consistency. He promised a cash award of Ksh 10,000 to students who attain a GPA of 3.65 and above as part of DLPDI's commitment to academic excellence.

As the event concluded, students left encouraged and inspired to continue pursuing their academic and professional goals.

The Director's Tea served as a celebration of achievement, a platform for meaningful engagement, and a reminder of DLPDI's commitment to nurturing transformational leaders equipped to make a positive impact in their communities and professions.