[featured_image]
Download
Download is available until [expire_date]
  • Version
  • Download 10
  • File Size 136.42 KB
  • File Count 1
  • Create Date July 2, 2024
  • Last Updated August 2, 2024

25th Graduation Ceremony Speech by the Chairman, BOD

SPEECH

 

BY

PROF. SIMON N. GICHARU, CBS

CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

DURING THE

MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY 25TH GRADUATION CEREMONY

 

GRADUATION THEME: UNIVERSITY SUSTAINBILITY THROUGH RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

 

ON

 

FRIDAY, 2ND AUGUST, 2024

 

AT

MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY HAPPY VALLEY GROUNDS, THIKA

 

  • Salutation

 

  • The Chief Guest, Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education,
  • The Chancellor, Prof. John Struthers,
  • Co-Founder of Mount Kenya University, Dr. Jane Nyutu,
  • Members of the University Board of Directors,
  • Chairman, University Council, Dr. Vincent Gaitho,
  • 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,
  • Distinguished Guests,
  • Mount Kenya University Staff,
  • Parents and Guardians,
  • Graduands and Students,
  • Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good Morning,

 

 

  • Preliminaries

First and foremost, I take this opportunity to welcome all of you, our esteemed visitors, staff and graduands, as well as their parents, guardians and sponsors.

Today’s 25th graduation ceremony which brings together our graduands from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi Somaliland and other diaspora Countries, exemplifies the commitment of Mount Kenya University to continue providing educational opportunities to qualified trainees beyond our boundaries.

Our Chief Guest, the Chancellor, Ladies and Gentlemen, despite the many unemployment challenges we may find ourselves in, as a country, East African region or the world, let us not give up in ensuring that our children are educated to the highest level possible.

Nelson Mandela quote: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

Ladies and gentlemen, we have heard our young people articulating their sentiments on the need to creating employment opportunities in our countries, a fact that I agree with. As a private sector as we endeavor to create jobs in our own ways, let us also encourage our young people to explore opportunities beyond our boundaries.

 

  • Providing Qualified Professionals with Foreign Apprenticeship

In this regard, our Chief Guest, I have supported the establishment of a partnership deal between Mount Kenya University and the Koblenz University of Applied Sciences, Germany to provide apprenticeship opportunities for Nursing professionals from Eastern Africa to work in German Hospitals.

I am delighted to report to this congregation the first cohort travelled to Germany in April 2024 and the second cohort are part of this graduation and will be traveling to Germany in September 2024.

Allow me to call upon the successful apprentice and congratulate them.

In support of this initiative, the German Government, through their development agency DAAD, has appointed Ms. Charlotte Katharin Filbry to assist Mount Kenya University (MKU) in training students in the German language. This training is a mandatory part of the pre-departure preparation. Ms. Filbry holds a Master's Degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Cologne and a Bachelor's Degree in German Language and Literature as well as Social and Cultural Anthropology. Her first language is German, and she is also proficient in English (C1) and Norwegian (B1).

 

  • Austrian Healthcare System

Our Chief Guest, the Chancellor, Ladies and Gentlemen, we are delighted to acknowledge our collaboration with Austrian health authorities and Lebenshilfe Tirol, which will integrate 40 trained MKU nurses annually into Austrian hospitals and elderly care homes. We are proud to announce that the first two candidates, Aubin and Carol, are set to depart in October. Allow me to congratulate them. Additionally, over 15 candidates are completing their German language training and will join them shortly.

 

  • Malindi Maritime Academy

Other notable employment-generating initiatives include the establishment of the Malindi Maritime Academy at our Malindi campus, which will offer Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Basic and Advanced training for the first time in this region. Previously, individuals had to travel to Korea and other Asian countries for these mandatory courses to join the merchant navy, cruise ships, and other vessels. Additionally, we will be launching a Bachelor of Nautical Sciences program, making us the first university in the region to train Ship Captains and officers.

  • Establishment of an eSports Center in the Newly Refurbished Student Center

To our Gen Z who are active users and consumers of esports, I am pleased to announce that Mount Kenya University (MKU) in collaboration with The Esports Kenya Federation, will establish an esports training center at the newly refurbished Student Center. Establishment of this eSports Center will equip our students with skills that will enable them generate an income and even make a career via their hobby-Esports.  This groundbreaking initiative will leverage on MKU's resources for space provision, operational support, and academic integration, alongside the federation's expertise in equipment provision, technical support, and training.

The center aims to make esports accessible, enhance digital literacy, and provide job opportunities hence solidifying MKU's status as a leader in esports and digital advancements.

 

  • Innovation and Incubation Centre

Last but not least is the World Bank funded Innovation grant through the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry to establish an Innovation and Incubation Centre at the University to support early-stage businesses in the fields of manufacturing, agriculture, the creative economy, Health and ICT.

 

  • Conclusion

Ladies and gentlemen as I conclude my remarks allow me to look back at our previous graduands who were unable to collect their Certificate due to varied reasons, the main one being, non-completion of fees at the graduation time.

Today, Mr. Chancellor Sir, I direct the University to release the Certificates unconditionally to all those affected by fee balance. Any collections from those accounts in case the beneficiaries after securing jobs feel indebted to clear the fees should go in support of Chancellor’s Scholarship. This gesture should also incorporate the previous graduates of our university in Rwanda.

We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to seeing the remarkable achievement you will undoubtedly accomplish.

God bless you abundantly.

 

Prof. Simon Gicharu, CBS

CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY    

|