Smart Strathmore university students ‘sell’, any day

Strathmore is one of the few Universities known for having a strict dress code — that is followed to the letter.

In ‘Strath’, you have to look official. The Strathmore look. This is deferent from many other universities in Kenya where students dress code borders nudity.

Paula Nyandieka a third year student at Strathmore spoke to Campus Vibe about the dress code.

“It makes you feel a little more confident about why you are in class. You not only feel professional, but also act it,” she said, adding that it’s about choices.

“You can always go to any other university. But people here sign up for the dress code and actually have no problem with it.”

On the dean’s page on their website, the university tries to explain why the dress code is enforced. The Dean, Paul Ochieng’ writes that students learn about our corporate culture in which high (moral) standards translate, among other things, into good living.

“The dress code helps them to discover who they are. They get to discover that they have an inner value that goes beyond academic grades and financial status,” said the Dean.

In most public universities, the dress code is relaxed. At Moi University for example, the rule simply says one should look decent. While Strathmore goes ahead to say what is not permitted, most other universities are mute.

But how does the corporate world think of such students from Universities with dress codes? Human Resource and Staffing Consultant Perminus Wainaina of Corporate Staffing said employers consider where someone schooled, not necessarily based on dress code. According to Perminus however, students from schools with such regulations make better employees.

“They are able to follow workplace regulations. If you can adhere to such rules, you are definitely a good employee,” said Perminus, adding: “It is a corporate expectation that people should look presentable. So I understand why such rules exist.