Gladys Ngetich

Gladys Ngetich at the Rare Rising Award Ceremony in 2018

Gladys Chepkirui Ngetich (born c.1991) is a Kenyan engineer, and a Rhodes scholar, pursuing a doctorate degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom. She is the recipient of the Tanenbaum Fellowship and the Babaroa Excellence Award.

Quote

• "Keep stretching beyond the comfort zone."
• I wish I had been told to worry less, that what I needed more than anything else was a curious mind.
• If I hadn’t pursued excellence, none of this would have happened
• When you don’t have anyone in high places to speak your name or open doors for you, your best bet is to take a chance on excellence, God, and a bit of luck
  • Dr Gladys Ngetich: Award-Winning Kenyan Engineer Who Earned a PhD at 28 Without a Master’s,5 August 2025
• He would spend time looking up scholarships and master’s programmes abroad. I had never thought of leaving the country, let alone furthering my studies
• I didn’t think I stood a chance, but I applied anyway, and to my surprise, I was one of only two Kenyans selected in 2015
• I was intrigued, but I was also terrified. Could I go from an undergraduate degree in Kenya to pursuing a PhD in engineering at one of the world's top universities? I barely had any research experience
• His words stuck with me: 'It will be a steep learning curve, but you'll manage.' That was all the encouragement I needed to take the leap,
  • Kenyan Woman Earns Oxford PhD Without Master’s, Credits Campus Boyfriend for Inspiration,28 Jine 2025