Victor Kadenge, Alumni

Victor Kadenge’s Journey: From Embu to CERN

My name is Victor Kadenge, and my academic journey has been defined by resilience and determination. In 2021, I was admitted to pursue an MSc in Physics at the University of Embu, and in 2024, I became the first student to graduate with this degree from the institution. This milestone was not just a personal achievement but also a historic moment for the university. In 2025, my persistence paid off when I secured two fully funded PhD scholarships—one in Hungary and another in Switzerland. After countless applications and over 100 rejections, I chose Switzerland, where I am now a doctoral student at CERN, one of the world’s leading particle physics laboratories. What once seemed like an impossible dream became reality through consistency, resilience, and an unshakable belief in possibility. To fellow students in Kenya and beyond, I say this: never give up. Success is built on persistence, strategy, and strong mentorship. Rejections are not the end but redirections that prepare you for bigger opportunities. If I could rise from being the first MSc Physics graduate at the University of Embu to pursuing research at CERN, so can you. Dream big, work hard, and never stop applying—your breakthrough is closer than you think.