By James Wakahiu
Private universities in eastern and central Africa have been advised to explore growth and collaboration opportunities in the region instead of just focusing on their national campuses.
“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 which provides opportunity to those looking for opportunities either in the service or goods industries,” Dr Peter Mutuku Mathuki, Secretary General of the East African community has said.
Photo/ Graduands in the photo after the graduation
He was speaking at the 22nd graduation ceremony at Mount Kenya University (MKU) held on Friday at the institution’s main campus in Thika town. Over 4,500 students graduated at the event where Dr Mathuki was the chief guest.
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 charged 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.
“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 SDGs2030,” he said.
Photo/East African Community Secretary General, Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki with MKU Co-Founder and Board of Directors, Prof. Simon Nyutu Gicharu during the 22nd Graduation Ceremony of the University. Dr. Mathuki was the Chief Speaker.
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 Roadstar Company of the United States of America (USA) has so far 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.
Photo/East African Community Secretary General, Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki.
“Remain goodwill ambassadors of MKU wherever you go. As you join your Alma Mater in contributing towards reduced inequalities in the communities, I wish you success in your life endeavours,” 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.
MKU choir entertaining guests during the 22nd graduation ceremony.
The partnership with Koblenz University of Germany targets the 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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