Over 6,500 MKU Students Graduate as University Expands Local & International Partnerships.
More than 6,500 students graduated from Mount Kenya University (MKU) during the institution’s 21st graduation ceremony last Friday, a 4% increase from the 6,239 who were honored in December 2021.
The event, titled “The Role of Universities in Peace Building for Socioeconomic Development,” was held at the Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre on the university’s main campus in Thika town.
Prof Deo Jaganyi, the vice-chancellor of MKU, stated that of the total 6,507 graduates, 3,517 were men and 2,990 (46%) were women.
Six Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees were awarded, as well as 251 master’s degrees, 89 postgraduate diplomas, 4,534 bachelor’s degrees, 1,273 diplomas, and 354 certificate holders.
MKU now has 40,274 continuing students, making it the region’s largest private university and one of the top five institutions in terms of population in the country.
“This has been made possible by the tireless efforts of various directorates, not to mention the university’s niche in offering competitive programs in the thirteen schools,” said the VC.
Jaganyi stated that elections for student leaders were held successfully earlier this year in an all-inclusive, credible, and transparent electoral system 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 organizations,” he added.
MKU is Kenya’s first private university to be fully accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) to provide higher education via Open, Distance, and Electronic Learning, as well as 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.
The Bachelor of Computer Science and Bachelor of Science in Medical Biochemistry programs have also been approved by CUE.
“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.
MKU is also reviewing and updating common modules to ensure that MKU graduates have the necessary 21st-century skills.
The university has been providing professional development to primary and secondary school teachers, instructional leaders in both public and private primary and secondary schools, and college teachers since December 2021.
The university administration continues to support faculty members’ subscription to the Research Beeline Platform, which allows them to access relevant grant calls.
It is expected that researchers will be able to attract funding by writing grant proposals and, as a result, pursue research
An Innovation and Incubation Centre was launched earlier this month, coinciding with the physical presentation of the top three innovations of the top 20 finalists who responded to a Call for Innovations and met all of the requirements.
He praised Dr. Jane Nyutu for initiating the "Mind and Beyond” program, which has greatly augmented the university’s efforts in managing and reducing cases of mental health.
SPORTS
MKU finished second in the Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) games with 60 medals.
The competition drew participation from twenty public and private universities. MKU was ranked first among private universities.
The congregation was greeted by the University of the West of Scotland chancellor Prof John Struthers, who praised the university administration for their collaborative efforts that have resulted in continued growth despite the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic experienced globally 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-organized 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 management to continue exploring new partnerships and collaborations with private companies, county and national governments, UN bodies and other international organizations, and foreign universities.
MKU has recently formed a new collaboration with the 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, praised the collective efforts of the graduands’ parents, guardians, and staff.
He also praised the Board of Directors for creating the conducive environment that has helped MKU become a global hub of excellence in education, research, and innovation.
Over 6,500 MKU Students Graduate as University Expands Local & International Partnerships
The MKU 2020-2029 Strategic Plan revised implementation plan was approved during the university year to facilitate implementation and ensure effective strategic plan monitoring.
A new policy is now in effect that seeks to establish the principles and intent for the appointment of Adjunct, Honorary, Retiree, and Visitor appointment categories.
Its goal is to enable the University Management to make appropriate appointments to recognize individual’s contributions to the university’s academic endeavors.
Such app
ointees are not permanent substantive appointees, but they are expected to contribute to the University’s academic and research activities once appointed.
The guidelines outline the procedures, appointment period, and privileges associated with the Adjunct, Honorary, Retiree, and Visitor appointment categories.
The university has also approved scholarships for talented young men and women in sports who have demonstrated excellent performance, the potential for leadership, and financial need.
The guidelines for use in MKU Alumni fee waiver for postgraduate programs have been approved, allowing for a full registration fee waiver and a maximum 10% tuition fee reduction beginning January 1, 2022.
A Covid-19 Diagnostic Center and Molecular Biology Laboratory will be critical in the fight against COVID-19 among the MKU community, as well as in human and applied sciences research.
The Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB) and the Ministry of Health have approved and licensed the Diagnostic Centre, and it has credentials to upload COVID-19 test results and trusted travel documentation.
Alumni representative John Muthuri Kathure, who graduated from MKU nine years ago, thanked his lecturers, management, parents, and all partners for nurturing him 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.
MKU graduates, according to Kathure, have a competitive advantage due to well-researched programs and curriculum content.
“Despite being passionate about speaking out against violations, it is through MKU Law School curriculum that I found my niche in Human Rights Law.
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"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 lauded increased collaborations between MKU and other institutions to strengthen graduates’ skill sets, such as those with the Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs and the USAID Youth Empowerment program, among others.
Over 6,500 MKU Students Graduate as University Expands Local & International Partnerships
