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Speech by Vincent Gaitho, Chairman, University Council

SPEECH BY VINCENT GAITHO, CHAIRMAN, UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

 DURING THE MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY 27^TH GRADUATION CEREMONY

 GRADUATION THEME: CATALYZING INNOVATION: UNIVERSITIES AS DRIVERS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

 ON FRIDAY 8^TH AUGUST, 2025

AT MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY HAPPY VALLEY GROUNDS, THIKA

• Salutation
• The Chancellor, Prof. John Struthers,
• The Chancellor Designate, Mount Kigali University Rwanda, Prof. Egara Kabaji,
• The Guest Speaker, Tonny Omwansa, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya National Innovation Agency,
• Archbishop Anthony Muheria, Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Nyeri,
• Members of the University Council,
• Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi,
• Vice-Chancellor, Mount Kigali University, Rwanda, Dr. Martin Kimemia,
• Vice-Chancellors and Representatives present,
• Members of the University Management Board and Senate,
• Invited Distinguished Guests,
• Mount Kenya University Staff,
• Parents and Guardians,
• Graduands and Students,
• Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good morning!!

• Preliminaries

I am privileged and honoured to welcome you to the 27^th Graduation Ceremony of Mount Kenya University. Allow me to appreciate the Guest Speaker and all the stakeholders who have found time to grace today’s graduation ceremony, both physically and online.

Mr. Chancellor, Sir, the University Council has supported and approved for implementation the following University initiatives, policies and guidelines that shall enhance University Teaching, Research and Community Outreach.

• Staff Promotions

Mr. Chancellor, Sir, the University Council approved Academic Staff promotions as follows:

1. Three (3) Senior Lecturers were promoted to Associate Professor positions.
2. Sixteen (16) Lecturers were promoted to Senior Lecturer positions
3. Four (4) Tutorial Fellows were promoted to Lecturer positions.

In addition, Eight (8) staff members were promoted through the prioritized internal recruitment process to fill arising administrative positions.

• Tuition Fee Remission Policy

Mount Kenya University Council has approved a Tuition Fee Remission Policy to benefit staff and their dependents with the intention of enhancing their welfare and for the promotion of internal capacity development of our human resource capacity, as well as for our institution.

The policy proposes tuition fee support for:

1. MKU staff and their dependents,
2. Employees of MKU affiliate institutions and their dependents,
3. Parents/guardians with more than two children concurrently enrolled at MKU or its affiliates.

The policy is a strategic initiative designed to:

1. Motivate and retain staff by easing the financial cost of higher education.
2. Encourage employees and their families to pursue further academic development at MKU.
3. Reinforce MKU’s image as a staff- and community-centred institution.

Mr. Chancellor, Sir, the University Council approved the Policy for immediate implementation starting September – December, 2025 semester.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Operational Efficiency and Digital Transformation

Mr. Chancellor, Sir, in line with the University's vision to be a global hub for excellence in education, research, and innovation, AI has become central to enhancing operational efficiency, supporting faculty-led research, driving student innovation, and enabling data-informed decision-making across the institution.

An integration of AI into core systems and processes helps to streamline operations and strengthen service delivery. An AI-integrated ICT system significantly enhances the ability to monitor and manage key academic and administrative functions in real-time.

Ladies and gentlemen, MKU continues to embrace AI as a strategic enabler in its digital transformation journey. The Council has approved the implementation of a robust ICT system known as University Integrated Resource Platform (UnIRP), a major catalyst in the university’s vision of digital transformation, institutional excellence, and student-centred service delivery. By embracing advancements in technology, the University Council hopes to improve the teaching and learning experience of our students and enhance operational efficiency at the University.

This acquired ICT system is a custom-built digital environment, designed to enhance student experience, boost research, and enable student engagement in learning.

Mr. Chancellor, Sir, we are introducing a system that listens, learns, and adapts to the needs of our customers, partners and industry.

• Industrial and Institutional Partnerships

Mr. Chancellor, Sir, MKU council will continue to support Public-Private Partnerships and industry-academia collaborations in the promotion of education, training programs, and re-skilling initiatives to prepare the labour force for AI-driven knowledge economies. The university has partnered with tech giants like Microsoft to create an AI-empowered university system, offering tools and training to students.

• Linking the University with the World

MKU is putting efforts to support the graduate to be competitive and competent as global civil servants through programmes that will enhance skills and qualification in order to seize opportunities beyond the local economy. A case in point, MKU has established a Maritime Academy in Malindi where graduates may enroll to be qualified for opportunities in the Maritime space and the blue economy. At the Maritime Academy, graduates may be exposed in short courses in Basic STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping), Designated Security Duties (DSD), Crowd Management and Crisis Management, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats, Marine Environmental Awareness, Advanced Fire Fighting, Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), Medical First Aid and Medical Care. Equipped with such qualifications, graduates will open doors for engagements in over so may jobs in Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Conservation, Maritime Transport and Port Operations, Tourism, Eco-tourism & Hospitality among others.

Further, MKU has partnered with German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to expose students to German language. Through this partnership, a number of MKU alumni have competitively enrolled in apprenticeship and job opportunities in Germany.

MKU wishes to encourage the graduating class and the general alumni to equip themselves with languages and skills that will enhance opportunities at the global space.

• Equipping Self with Skills and Knowledge Influencing the World of Work

Beyond the qualifications you are receiving today, the world of work demands skills and knowledge for the next generation worker. Emerging technology in particular AI can’t be wished away. Further, there are multiple short courses that graduates may enroll in MKU to further enhance the qualifications you are receiving today to make your qualifications competitive, relevant and up to date.

Further, enrolling in such short courses and any other higher qualifications, will go a long way in aligning with the principle of long-life learning. The University Council assures you that the University will intervene for you when such needs arise. Further, we challenge the University Management to explore and cast the net wider to develop relevant and demand driven short courses that will continually empower the competencies and competitiveness of our graduates.

• Utilizing Qualifications Beyond Academic

As you step in the world of work today, and armed with various qualifications, the world looks upon you as a pool of sort after solution to contemporary challenges. Beyond your qualifications that you are receiving today, we look upon you to engage in solution to humanity as mentors among your peers and juniors. We challenge you to offer your presence, energy and knowledge in your alma mater, your community and among those who may seek your support. Explore opportunities in volunteering without putting a price to the said services.

• Conclusion

Mr. Chancellor, Sir, as I conclude, allow me to appreciate the staff whose hands our graduands have passed through.

To our graduands, I take this opportunity to pass my warm congratulatory messages on your well-deserved achievement and success. Congratulations to the Class of August 2025. May your journey ahead be filled with purpose and fulfilment.

As you venture into the future, use the acquired skills and knowledge to enhance your abilities and competencies and become not only global civil servants but also agents of sustainable transformation of humanity.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL 

Dr. Vincent Gaitho, PhD

CHAIRMAN, UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY