By James Wakahiu
editior@themountainjournal.co.ke
Universities around Africa have been urged to benchmark with Mount Kenya University whose model has seen the institution make major milestones in its academic programmes.
Amb. Eunice Kigenyi, Deputy High Commissioner, Uganda High Commission, Nairobi, Kenya, said the university culture of having top lecturers and researchers on its faculty has greatly contributed to the institution’s academic growth as well as being a leading producer of a globally-qualified workforce.
MKU Chancellor Prof. John Struther
“The University has a continuous presence of lecturers and researchers from local and other countries .This is a model that is worth emulating by other universities in Africa and beyond,” said Amb. Kigenyi during the university 26th graduation ceremony at the institution’s Happy Valley Grounds, Thika, Kenya, December 6, 2024.
Those who attended the colourful ceremony included; MKU Co-Founder, Dr Jane Nyutu , MKU Chancellor Prof John Struthers, Dr. Vincent Gaitho, the University Council Chairman; and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi.
7,448 students graduated: 12 Doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees; 617 Master’s degrees ; 120 postgraduate diplomas; 5,087 bachelor’s degrees; 1,353 diplomas; and, 259 certificates.
Sirisia MP, John Walukhe was among the graduates. He earned a Master of Arts in Development Studies.
Photo: Sirisia MP John Waluke with Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs Beatrice Askul and Nairobi Rivers Commission, Commissioner Chebichii Lelei.
He joins other notable graduates, including Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs Beatrice Askul and Nairobi Rivers Commission, Commissioner Chebichii Lelei.
The ceremony’s theme was: ‘Internationalization of University Education Towards Development of a Competitive Global Workforce.’
The world is changing and MKU as an institution must remain well in tandem with that change. Within the world-of-work, this global change is significantly brought about by the fast-evolving 4th Industrial Revolution which is powered by digitization and stimulated by artificial intelligence, “ said Amb. Kigenyi. She talked of two areas that needed more attention; The United Nations Guidelines on Internationalisation of the Labour Force; and, The International Labor Organization’ “Global Job Pact.”
The United Nations Guidelines on Internationalisation of the Labour Force, is well explained by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 8 on ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’ but it also touches on the International Labor Organization (ILO) “Global Job Pact.” These two are inter-related as reflected on SDG 8’s Target 8(B) which states as follows:
Photo:Amb. Eunice Kigenyi, Deputy High Commissioner, Uganda High Commission to Kenya who was the chief guest,
“The world and global institutions (such as Mount Kenya University) shall develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization”.
The Global Job Pact, the envoy reminded the congregation, is a set of policy measures that countries with the support of regional and multilateral institutions can adopt to ease the employment crisis. The Global Jobs Pact calls on ILO member states to emphasize the creation of decent work opportunities.
Amb. Kigenyi commended MKU for its commitment to the International Labor Organization Jobs Pact and SDG 8 Creation of Decent Work to Serve the Global Economy.
She cited the university efforts, since inception, of striving to create campuses around East Africa and in turn create more job opportunities.
MKU has a regional office in Kampala, Uganda, with its sister institution in Kigali Rwanda being “a good international employer.” There are MKU employees also in Hargeisa, Somaliland.
“To this end, I also note that MKU Alumni are serving the global community in many countries ….
