MKU fetes record number of new graduates at Thika campus

MKU chancellor Prof John Struthers awards a degree during the 25th graduation ceremony of Mount Kenya University (MKU) held in Thika town on Friday August 2nd, 2024.

Partnerships, innovation and research remain key focus of university

Mount Kenya University (MKU) has held its largest graduation ceremony ever in Thika town that saw 7,974 students feted, the highest number over 14 graduations held in the last seven years.

Vice chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi said the achievement was a result of the culmination of a well-orchestrated journey of planning, execution, and relentless improvement. He praised the implementation of an Academic Sustainability Project and a Postgraduate Students’ Academic Progression Tracking Project for being instrumental in supporting postgraduate students to complete their studies on time.

Among the graduands were 14 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degrees; 530 Master’s Degrees, 155 Postgraduate Diplomas, 5,090 Bachelor’s Degrees; 1,801 Diplomas, and 384 certificates holders.

Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education, who was the chief guest, congratulated MKU for “an incredible journey over the last 25 years.

Dr. Inyangala noted that the university has partnered with several institutions in Africa and globally not only to provide quality education but also to facilitate a seamless transition of graduates into the labour market, both at home and internationally. 

“I congratulate MKU for hosting the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) SDG 10 Hub on Reduced Inequalities for the past three years,” she said.

 “I reaffirm the Ministry’s commitment to provide a conducive policy environment for support of research, patents promotion, as well as scaling of innovations and their commercialisation,” she added.

Prof. Simon Gicharu, Chairman, MKU Board of Directors said a partnership deal between MKU and the Koblenz University of Applied Sciences, Germany is providing apprenticeship opportunities for nursing professionals from Eastern Africa to work in German hospitals. 

“The first cohort travelled to Germany in April 2024 and the second cohort are part of this graduation and will be traveling to Germany in September,” he said.

In support of this initiative, the German Government, through their development agency DAAD, has appointed Ms Charlotte Katharin Filbry to assist MKU in training students in the German language.

 “This training is a mandatory part of the pre-departure preparation. Her first language is German, and she is also proficient in English and Norwegian,” he noted.

A similar collaboration with the Austrian health authorities and Lebenshilfe Tirol will integrate 40 trained MKU nurses annually into Austrian hospitals and elderly care homes. 

“The first two candidates are set to depart in October. Another 15 candidates are completing their German language training and will join them shortly,” he added.

Other notable employment-generating initiatives include the establishment of the Malindi Maritime Academy at MKU’s Malindi campus, which will offer standards of training, certification, and watch keeping (STCW) basic and advanced training for the first time in this region. 

“Previously, individuals had to travel to Korea and other Asian countries for these mandatory courses to join the merchant navy, cruise ships, and other vessels,” Prof Gicharu said.

Additionally, MKU will be launching a Bachelor of Nautical Sciences programme, making it the first university in the region to train ship captains and officers. And for Gen Z who are active users and consumers of esports, the institution, in collaboration with The Esports

Meanwhile, MKU will be releasing all the pending certificates unconditionally to all those unable to clear their fees balance. 

“Any collections from those accounts in case the beneficiaries after securing jobs feel indebted to clear the fees should go in support of Chancellor’s Scholarship. This gesture should also incorporate the previous graduates of our university in Rwanda,” the chairman said.