“The East African Community has recently grown with joining of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to seven partner States and an expanded market of 300 Million people, providing opportunities either in the service or goods industries,” Dr Peter Mutuku Mathuki, Secretary General of the East African community has said.
MKU choir entertain guests. Photo: By James Wakahiu.
He was speaking at the 22nd graduation ceremony at Mount Kenya University (MKU) at the institution’s main campus in Thika town.
Over 4,500 students graduated at the event where Dr Mathuki was the chief guest.
Photo/Granduands during the 22nd graduation ceremony. Photo:James Wakahiu.
Although MKU is East and Central Africa’s largest private university, the regional boss coaxed the university’s managers to open more branches across the region and to continue developing capacity for the residents.
Dr Mathuki lauded MKU founder and board chairman, Prof Simon Gicharu and the university council to pursue making MKU a centre of excellence within East Africa in entrepreneurial promotion.
Photo/Former Rwandan Prime Minister Makuza Bernard attended the graduation of her daughter who was among the 470 graduands conferred with degrees,diplomas and certificates at Mku Rwanda Varsity in Kigali. By James Wakahiu
“Engagement with like-minded organisations and professionals in resource mobilisation by the foundations needs to be emphasized with a view to contributing towards the achievement of the 17 SDGs 2030,” he said.
Prof Gicharu said with support of the EAC secretariat and the government of Tanzania, MKU will soon reach out to the Tanzanian community, as well as to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, to offer access to higher education and contribute to the EAC integration effort. New partners include
The Road Star Company of the United States of America (USA) has offered attachment opportunities to over 100 students at MKU through online provision.
Congratulating the graduands, the Secretary General charged them to be competitive and ready to take up the next challenge in the global labour market. He told the fresh graduates to aspire to become job creators by exploring opportunities in the wider East African region.
“Remain goodwill ambassadors of MKU wherever you go. As you join your Alma Mater in contributing towards reduced inequalities in the communities,” he added.
Middle East jobs
Prof Gicharu pleaded with Kenyan youth to avoid going abroad to countries such as Saudi Arabia in the Middle East without proper arrangements in place.
“We are hearing news of girls being murdered or physically abused from that region,” he said.
“At MKU, we have a partnership with Koblenz University of Germany for our youth to learn German so that they can later access medical related jobs in Germany,” he added.
The partnership with Koblenz University of Germany targets at training of nurses in German language at MKU and attaching them in Germany.
This is an innovative, new strategy of raising healthcare access at a global level, and a vital internalization endeavour at MKU.
The programme offers opportunities to young Kenyans pursuing healthcare courses that will lead to paid apprenticeships and ultimate job opportunities in Germany.
“We have numerous partnerships with German Universities under the support of the German Government and we urge the university management to consolidate the gains in these partnerships by engaging the German government agencies directly and showcasing our joint endeavors for more support,” Gicharu said.
He also encouraged the youth to apply for the government’s Hustler Fund and open simple businesses instead of remaining idle at home.
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