MKU   SUCCESSFULLY  HOLDS  THE  23rd GRADUATION CEREMONY AS KSHS. 80 MILLION OWED BY PAST STUDENTS IS WAIVED

Mount Kenya University (MKU) has announced a Kshs. 80 million waiver on outstanding students’ levies. Speaking during the institution’s 23^rd graduation ceremony at Happy Valley Grounds in Thika, the founder and Board of Directors Chairman, Prof. Simon Gicharu said the waiver applies to all past students who have not yet collected their graduation certificates.  “The issue of uncollected certificates was worsened by the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Prof. Gicharu noted. “Over 4,000 past students have accumulated storage fees, library arrears and late return of graduation gowns. In total, the levies amount to about Kshs. 80 million,” he added.

He further said: “True to the university’s  motto Unlocking Infinite Possibilities, we don’t want to be the hindrance towards unlocking the infinite possibilities for you.  Therefore, we are extending this waiver and all past students can now come and collect their academic certificates.” The colourful graduation ceremony was held under the theme  :  Embracing Law, Science and Technologyfor Advancement of Climate Change interventions. It saw International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan awarded an honorary doctorate in Law in recognition of his contributions to the rule of law and international justice.

Climate change

Over 6,000 students from 12   different countries were conferred degrees and awarded diplomas. Among them were 15 PhDs, 349 masters  and 3,618 bachelor’s degree recipients. The event was graced by the  National Assembly Speaker  Moses Wetangula who was the chief guest. In his address, he called for adoption of multi-faceted strategies by governments throughout the world to address the issue of climate change.  “The rise in research on  greenhouse  effects  and  climate change mitigation is a vital input by universities and research organizations for bridging the glaring policy gaps in environmental education, consumer behaviour, rewarding and sanctions systems, legislation and government as well as  organizational support in climate change mitigation,” he remarked.  Wetangula also encouraged Kenyans to support the government’s initiative to plant 15 billion trees by year 2032.

During the ceremony, the announcement of the new chairman of MKU Council Prof. Agong’ Stephen Gaya was made. Prof. Agong’ spoke about the recently approved policies, regulations and guidelines which will streamline operations at the university.

On his part,  the  Chancellor,  Prof. John Struthers hailed the growth of multidisciplinary partnerships and collaborations, noting that MKU has since inception, been partnership-driven, which has greatly contributed to the internationalization of the university. “The university has continued to attract both local and international students,” said the  Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi. “In the pool of continuing students, there are international students, while a number of the graduands today are also from foreign countries,” he added.

Prof. Jaganyi also spoke about MKU’s curriculum and co-curricular vibrancy that was witnessed in the past academic year. New market-driven programmes were introduced while students and faculty members participated in various activities including drama and sports. He also lauded  the institution’s impactful corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.

Drawing several examples of ground-breaking research and plum donor funding, Prof. Jaganyi illustrated that MKU remains a top-notch science and research university in Africa. “MKU faculty has continued to win competitive research grants from various funding agencies. These include the European Union, World Health Organization and Shionogi PLC/Nagasaki University,” he noted.

Innovative

On the climate change issue, Prof. Gicharu asked the graduands to be innovative and come up with interventions that will translate into jobs. “The climate change challenge comes with numerous opportunities for innovative and creative entrepreneurs. These include coming up with innovative solutions for clean and green energy, tree planting, restoration of water towers, conservation and cloud seeding technology,” he remarked.  

Prof. Gicharu also said MKU will embrace the proposals by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform in order to increase productivity in research and innovation, improve international ranking and strengthen linkages. “From where we sit, we see these university reforms as a challenge for universities to do what they are supposed to do both in academics and community outreach.  The board will support the university management to fully embrace and implement these reforms,” Prof. Gicharu emphasized.

Social ventures

In his honorary doctorate acceptance speech, Dr. Karim Khan hailed the value of education in the growth and development of humanity. “I encourage all of us to invest tirelessly towards making education accessible and affordable. This will enable us to achieve an equitable society as envisioned by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) particularly Goal No. 10 on Reducing Inequalities of which MKU is the current United Nations Academic Impact Hub,” he said.

Dr. Khan emphasized  that the graduation’s  theme  resonates very well with the time we are living in. “Any compromise on the ability of environment to sustain human existence will ultimately bear unfathomable consequences to the peace and stability the world is enjoying today,” he added.  He  pledged to support the development and growth of MKU Parklands School of Law (as an alumnus) so as to enhance sustained competencies in training law.  “Whenever possible, I will participate in any non-conflicting engagements while offering material and ideological support when called upon,” Dr. Khan added. “Further, as a friend of this great country, I will continue to engage in social ventures, especially in education such as those supported by family,” he asserted.

The 23^rd graduation ceremony marked the last in which students from what was formerly Mount Kenya University – Kigali Campus will be travelling to Kenya. The Campus gained full autonomy in April this year and now operates under the name Mount Kigali University. In future, Mount Kigali University will be holding its own graduation ceremonies in Kigali, Rwanda.

Some of the guests  in attendance were :  Paul Mungai from the State Department for Higher Education and Research at the Ministry of Education, Ambassador Francis Muthaura, Chuka University Council Chair Prof. David Serem, Dr Richard Thacker of University of West Scotland and Prof. John McNulty of Loyola University, U.S.A.

The colourful event was also graced by leaders including :  Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, her counterparts Paul Melly (Tinderet), Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine), Ferdinand Wanyonyi (Kwanza), Getrude Mbetu (Kilifi) and Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani) among others.