How do you give back to someone who has paid your fees at University and helped you attain that degree?

That is the question over 100 graduates who benefitted from the Madhvani Scholarship Programme toyed with at their annual dinner last week.

Atleast 2,000 students have so far benefitted from the scholarship scheme established by the Muljibhai Madhvani Foundation, a charitable trust that was set up 52 years ago.

The scholarship fund, which has nowgrown to sh650m, was set up to honour the vision of Muljibhai Prabhudas Madhvani, an entrepreneur who founded one of the lagest conglomerates in East Africa — The Madhvani Group of Companies.

The beneficiaries, through theri alumni association, raises sh30m from their members last year. They agreed ath their meeting on Saturday to raise more funds to support the scholarship scheme.

Vision Group's chief executive officer, Robert Kabushenga, who was a guest speaker at the meeting, challenged the youth in attendance to emulate the generosity of Muljibhai by giving back to the foundation.

Narrating the story of Muljibhai, who left India and braved hardship in East Africa, Kabushenga noted that the scholarship was a perfect example of his enduring spirit of philanthropy.

"He was a young man with no access to a computer or mobile phone. How about you well-dressed people? Ask yourselves how you can multiply that spirit by giving back," he advised.

Kabushenga also cited the example of a young African-American girl who dropped out of school and washed clothes to earn a living, but set up an endowment fund to help University students.

"How many of you, with the opportunities created for you, are in a position to make that sacrifice for the benefit of others?" Kabushenga asked.

Daniel Mudooli, the first recipient of the scholarship in 1953, said the opportunity enabled him study Forestry in India.

The Madhvani Scholarship programme targets economically disadvantaged and talented students who exhibit a determination to succeed.

It covers tuition fees only from the second year until the completion of the course for undergraduates; and, for the entire programme of study for graduate students from the time of the award.

Upon completion of their studies, the beneficiaries are expected to make voluntary donations or contributions of at least 10% of their monthly salary for a year or 5% for two years.