By James Wakahiu
More than 6,500 graduated at Mount Kenya University (MKU) during the 21st graduation ceremony of the institution held last Friday, an increase of four per cent compared to 6,239 who were feted during the December 2021 event.
The event was held at the Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre in the university’s main campus in Thika town, under the theme: The role of universities in peace building for socio-economic development.
MKU vice-chancellor, Prof Deo Jaganyi, said out of the total 6,507 graduands, 3,517 were men while 2,990 (forty six per cent) were women. Among these were six Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree; 251 masters, 89 Postgraduate Diplomas; 4,534 Bachelor’s Degrees; 1,273 Diplomas; and 354 Certificate holders.
.jpg)
Photo/The students who were conferred with Doctorate Degree.
MKU now has 40,274 continuing students, making it the largest private university in the region and one of the top five institutions by population nationally. “This has been possible through the tireless efforts of various directorates, not to mention the fact that the university has established its niche in offering competitive programmes in the thirteen schools,” said the VC.
Jaganyi said early this year, elections of student leaders were successfully conducted in an electoral system that was all-inclusive, credible and transparent across all MKU campuses. “The elected student leaders have since been appropriately inducted, trained and incorporated into the university management system as stakeholders. They have also spear-headed the leadership of students’ co-curricular activities like games, sports, clubs and religious organisations,” he added.
MKU is the first private university in Kenya to be fully accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) to offer higher education through the Open, Distance and Electronic Learning and E-Content Development (ODEL). “The council has financially supported the Directorate of ODEL’s robust activities in developing and upgrading of e-content materials to enhance the platform,” said the VC.
.JPG)
Photo/MKU Co-founder Doctor Jane Nyutu addressing the congregation during the 21st graduation ceremony of MKU at Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre on Friday.
CUE has also approved the Bachelor of Computer Science and Bachelor of Science in Medical Biochemistry programmes. “To ensure that MKU remains competitive in the labour market and compliance with the curricula reforms that are currently taking place in the basic education level, MKU has actively embraced the process of transitioning its curricula to CBC requirements,” he said.
Additionally, MKU is also reviewing and overhauling common modules to ensure that MKU graduands have 21st century skills required. Since December 2021, MKU is offering professional development to primary and secondary school teachers and instructional leaders in both public and private primary and secondary schools and teachers in colleges.
.jpg)
The university management continues to support the subscription to the Research Beeline Platform to enable faculty members access relevant grant calls. “It is expected that researchers will be able to attract funding through grant proposal writing and therefore, pursue research. An Innovation and Incubation Centre was launched earlier this month, which coincided with the physical presentation of top three innovations of the top 20 finalists who responded to a Call for innovations and met all the requirements,” the VC said.
Photo/MKU Chancellor Professor John Struthers and Vice Chancellor Professor Deo Jaganyi are joined by students in declaring peaceful elections.
He praised Dr Jane Nyutu for initiating a “Mind and Beyond” programme which has greatly augmented the university’s efforts in managing and reducing cases of mental health.
SPORTS
MKU came second in the Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) games, with 60 medals. Twenty public and private universities participated in the competition. MKU was number one among the private universities.
The congregation received greetings from the University of the West of Scotland, via MKU chancellor Prof John Struthers, who hailed the university management for their joint efforts that has led to the continued growth despite the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic experienced globally during the last two years.
“Hats-off to MKU’s fraternity for being peace champions in the country and globally as evidenced in the choice of the Theme of the 21st Graduation Ceremony on a topical matter, namely, “The Role of Universities in Peace Building for Socio-Economic Development”. This was part of a series of very well organised activities by MKU in the course of this year as an ongoing initiative to discuss the peace agenda. We need peace in Kenya and in the world at large,” he said.
Prof Struthers encouraged the management to keep on exploring more partnerships and collaborations with private companies, county and national government, UN bodies and other international organizations as well as foreign universities. MKU recently established a new partnership with Nyeri County Government on collaborative research and consultancy in Medical Sciences as well as with the Marsabit Botanical Garden.
Prof. David K. Serem, chairman of the University Council appreciated the collective efforts made by parents, guardians and staff whose hands the graduands passed through. He also feted the Board of Directors for the facilitative environment that has made MKU a global hub of excellence in education, research and innovation.
During the university year, the MKU 2020-2029 Strategic Plan revised implementation plan was approved to ease the implementation process and to ensure effective monitoring of the strategic plan. A new policy that seeks to set out the principles and intention, for the appointment of Adjunct, Honorary, and Retiree and Visitor appointment categories is now in use.
It aims to enable the University Management to make suitable appointments to recognize contributions made by individuals to the academic endeavours of the university. Such appointees are not permanent substantive appointees, but when they are appointed, they are expected to contribute to the academic and research activities of the University. The guidelines provide the procedures, period of appointment and privileges relating to the appointment of Adjunct, Honorary, Retiree and Visitor appointment categories.
The university has also approved scholarships for talented young men and women in sports who demonstrate excellent performance, leadership potential and have financial need. “In order to enhance cooperation and collaboration between the university community and Alumni, the Council approved MKU and Alumni Engagement Policy,” added Prof Serem.
The guidelines for use in MKU Alumni fee waiver for postgraduate programmes have been approved to operationalise a full registration fee waiver and a maximum of 10 per cent reduction of the tuition fee effective from 1st January 2022.
A Covid-19 Diagnostic Centre cum Molecular Biology Laboratory will play a pivotal role in the fight against COVID-19 among MKU community and support in human and applied sciences research. The Diagnostic Centre is approved and licensed by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB) and the Ministry of Health, and has credentials to upload the COVID-19 test results and trusted travel documentation.
John Muthuri Kathure, an alumni representative who graduated from MKU nine years ago, thanked his lecturers, management, parents and all partners for nurturing me and many other alumni. “From scaling the heights of education (during my time) to unlocking infinite possibilities, from only admitting self-sponsored students to admitting government sponsored students, from a few storey buildings to hosting the tallest building in Kiambu County, the growth in MKU is evident,” he said.
Kathure said well-researched programmes and curriculum content has given MKU graduates a competitive edge. “Despite being passionate about speaking out against violations, it is through MKU Law School curriculum that I found my niche in Human Rights Law. I encourage lecturers to be accessible not only to the students but to the watchmen and watch-ladies, university bus drivers and the janitors,” he added.
He praised increased partnerships between MKU and other institutions to strengthen the graduates’ skills set, such as with the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, and USAID Youth Empowerment programme, among others.
