Mount Kenya University has announced a Ksh80 million waiver on outstanding student levies.
Speaking during the institution’s 23rd graduation ceremony at Happy Valley Grounds, Thika, Prof. Simon Gicharu who is the founder and Board of Directors chairman, said the waiver applies to all past students who have not collected their graduation certificates.
“The issue of uncollected certificates was worsened by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Prof. Gicharu. “Over 4,000 past students have accumulated storage fees, library arrears, and late return of graduation gowns. In total, the levies amount to about KSh80 million.”
He added: “True to the university motto Unlocking Infinite Possibilities, we don’t want to be the hinderance 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.”
Summary:
MKU has held the 23rd Graduation Ceremony where graduating over 6000 students
15 doctorate degree awarded
Dr. Karim Khan, ICC prosecutor awarded Honorary Doctorate in Law
The graduation ceremony was held under the theme Embracing Law, Science and Technology for Advancement of Climate Change interventions. It saw International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law in recognition of his contributions to the rule of law and international justice.
Over 6,000 students from 12 different countries were conferred Degrees and awarded Diplomas. Among them were 15 PhDs, 349 Masters, and 3,618 Bachelors Degree recipients.
National Assembly Speaker Dr. Moses Wetangula 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/ climate change mitigation is a vital input by universities and research organisations for bridging the glaring policy gaps in environmental education, consumer behaviour, rewarding and sanctions systems, legislation and government/ organizational support in climate change mitigation,” he added.
Dr Wetangula also encouraged Kenyans to support the Government of Kenya’s initiative to plant 15 billion trees by year 2032.
During the ceremony, the new chairman of MKU Council Prof. Agong Stephen Gaya was unveiled. He spoke about the recently approved policies, regulations and guidelines, which’ll streamline operations at the university.
Chancellor Prof. John Struthers hailed the growth of multidisciplinary partnerships and collaborations. Noting that MKU has, since inception, “been partnership-driven,” they have greatly contributed to the internationalization of the university.
“The university has continued to attract both local and international students,” said 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.”
Prof. Jaganyi also spoke about MKU’s curriculum and co-curricular vibrancy that past academic year. New market-driven programmes were introduced while student and faculty participated in various activities including drama and sports. He also touted the institution’s impactful CSR programme.
Drawing several examples of ground-breaking research and plum donor funding, Prof. Jaganyi illustrated that MKU remains a topnotch science and research university in Africa. “MKU faculty have continued to win competitive research grants from various funding agencies. These include the European Union, World Health Organization and Shionogi PLC/Nagasaki University.”
On the climate change, 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 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 added.
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 particularly Goal No. 10 on Reducing Inequalities of which MKU is the current United Nations Academic Impact Hub,” he said.
Dr. Khan reckoned that climate change theme of the graduation ceremony “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.”
The 23rd graduation ceremony marked the last in which students from what was formerly MKU 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.
Others who attended the colourful event were Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, and her counterparts Paul Melly (Tinderet), Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine), Ferdinand Wanyonyi (Kwanza), Getrude Mbetu (Kilifi), and Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani) among others.
Others 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.
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