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28th Graduation Ceremony Speech By Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi
SPEECH
BY
PROF. DEOGRATIUS JAGANYI
VICE-CHANCELLOR
DURING THE
MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY 28TH GRADUATION CEREMONY
GRADUATION THEME: “FROM KNOWLEDGE TO NATION-BUILDING: ADVANCING RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.”
ON
FRIDAY, 5TH DECEMBER, 2025
AT
MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY GRADUATION PAVILION HAPPY VALLEY GROUNDS, THIKA
Salutation
- The Chancellor, Prof. John Struthers,
- The Chancellor, Mount Kigali University Rwanda, Prof. Egara Kabaji,
- The Guest Speaker, CPA Dr. Aurelia Rono, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Parliamentary Affairs, Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary,
- Pastor Anthony K. Mwangi, Senior Pastor, Life Church International,
- Chairman, Board of Directors and Founder, Mount Kenya University, Prof. Simon Gicharu, CBS,
- Members of the University Board of Directors,
- Chairman, Mount Kenya University Council, Dr. Vincent Gaitho,
- Chairman, Mount Kigali University Council, Dr. Innocent Mugisha,
- Members of the Mount Kenya University & Mount Kigali University Council,
- Vice-Chancellor, Mount Kigali University, Rwanda, Dr. Martin Kimemia,
- Vice-Chancellors and Representatives present,
- Members of University Management Board and Senate,
- Your Excellencies,
- Distinguished Guests,
- Mount Kenya University Staff,
- Parents and Guardians,
- Graduands and Students,
- Ladies and Gentlemen.
Good morning.
It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to welcome you all to the 28th and the 5th Graduation Ceremony of Mount Kenya University (MKU) and Equip Africa Institute, respectively. Allow me to proudly congratulate all the graduands for completing their studies successfully. By extension, allow me to also acknowledge with appreciation the support accorded to the graduands by parents, guardians and staff among others, during their studies.
Mr. Chancellor Sir, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to confirm that all our graduands that we are presenting to you today have the requisite knowledge that will sufficiently enable them to engage in Nation-Building in the various sectors of the economy within and without Kenya. Indeed, as an institution of higher learning, we have ensured that our graduands have successfully been taken through our holistic curricula. This has impacted competencies that will enable them exercise responsible leadership and governance in their varied professions in the world of work. To this end, I wish to once again confirm that our graduands have passed the test of espousing Mount Kenya University's core values of quality and relevance, excellence, and commitment, innovation, creativity, collegiality, and integrity which will be critical as they navigate nation-building going forward.
Mr. Chancellor Sir, there is a strong positive correlation between academic excellence and physical co-curricular activities, as co-curricular activities improve cognitive functions like concentration and memory, and develops discipline and time management skills. Our graduands have been sufficiently exposed to various co-curricular activities to intentionally grow their talents, creativity and acquire optimal physical and cognitive abilities.
In this regard and on behalf of University Management Board, I wish to thank most sincerely the Board of Directors for showing support for our students’ talents and co-curricular activities, through procurement and purchase of: state-of-the-art Scania Marcopolo bus, sporting and creative arts equipment and sports attires for all our campuses.
Since the last graduation, students, some of whom we are graduating today participated and excelled in the following events:
In Film Creative and performing Arts, the University excelled at the 97th Kenya National Music Festivals was ranked best private University overall.
The University for the second year in a row showcased its performances at the 8th edition of the East Africa Music, Dance and Drama festival (EAMDD) held in Kampala Uganda. The annual festival brings together Kenyan and Ugandan institutions where cultural and artistic presentations are made.
The University tennis team showcased great performance by finishing second best overall at the FASU (Federation of Africa University Sports) in tennis championship held at Mount Kenya University.
At the Kenya University Sports Federation (KUSF) National athletics championship 2025 where teams from universities across the country participated, Mount Kenya University emerged the overall winner.
Mount Kenya University, in partnership with the Kenya Society for the Blind, supported students enabled differently, in the month of September, for a charity event/hike at Mount Longonot.
Lastly, in celebration of our diversity and honoring our roots, the University held a week-long Culture Week celebration across all our Campuses, whose culmination was the crowning of Mr. and Miss MKU.
On Academic Programmes, MKU has continued to mount new curricula as well as revise and revamp the existing curricula. This is informed by the need to impact relevant competences to our students as captured by our theme today:
“From Knowledge to Nation-Building: Advancing Responsible Leadership and Governance Through Higher Education Institutions”
Mr. Chancellor Sir, Ladies and Gentlemen, Mount Kenya University has continued to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship as a cornerstone of our mission to drive sustainable development and empower young people. Through our Innovation and Incubation Centre, we have built an environment where ideas are transformed into practical, impactful enterprises that address real-world challenges.
Among the innovations emerging from this ecosystem is the ElementPay, a cutting-edge platform that enables fast, low-fee everyday payments using crypto wallets. I am proud to share that this innovation was recently presented for Kenya at an Investor Readiness Program in Bali, Indonesia, showcasing the global competitiveness of our innovators and the strength of the ecosystem we are building at Mount Kenya University.
Similarly, MKU fraternity appreciates the continued awards of grants and equipment to the University for high-quality, internationally-competitive research in molecular biology, genomics, immunology and parasitology received through Prof. Jesee Gitaka in 2025.
Finally, as I conclude, I wish to observe that, Mount Kenya University has equipped the graduands, with the requisite industry–based knowledge, skills, and values essential for success in respective fields.
As you transit into the next phase of your journey, I urge you to go forth with confidence, integrity and a strong sense of purpose. Use the competencies you have acquired not only to pursue excellence in your careers but also to make meaningful and responsible leadership to the communities you will find yourself in and the world at large. Be bold, be innovative and let your actions inspire positive change.
Congratulations on your achievement, and may God bless you all.
Prof. Deogratius JAGANYI
VICE-CHANCELLOR
