[featured_image]
Download
Download is available until [expire_date]
  • Version
  • Download 6
  • File Size 379.36 KB
  • File Count 1
  • Create Date December 8, 2023
  • Last Updated December 8, 2023

Speech by the Chairman, University Council (24th graduation)

SPEECH

 BY

VINCENT GAITHO, PhD

CHAIRMAN, UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

DURING THEMOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY 24TH GRADUATION CEREMONY

 GRADUATION THEME: THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN DRIVING SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRY FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC EQUITY THROUGH LINKAGES

ON

 FRIDAY, 8TH DECEMBER, 2023

 AT

MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY HAPPY VALLEY GROUNDS, THIKA

 

  • Salutation
  • The Chancellor, Prof. John Struthers,
  • The Chief Guest, Juma Mukhwana, PhD, HSC, Principal Secretary, State Department for Industry, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry,
  • Founder of Mount Kenya University, and Chairman, Board of Directors, Prof. Simon N. Gicharu, CBS,
  • Co-Founder, Mount Kenya University, Dr. Jane Nyutu,
  • Members of the University Board of Directors,
  • Members of the University Council,
  • Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi,
  • Vice-Chancellors and representatives present,
  • Members of the University Management Board and Senate,
  • Distinguished Guests,
  • Mount Kenya University Staff,
  • Parents and Guardians,
  • Graduands and Students,
  • Ladies and Gentlemen.
  • Congratulatory Message to the Graduands

I wish to convey sincere congratulations to the class of 2023. As we celebrate you in today’s ceremony, we recognize your hard work and determination, which have made this success to be possible.

I wish to appreciate parents and guardians, sponsors and partners, academic and professional staff whose support has immensely contributed to the development of skills and knowledge and positive attitude to the graduands. We are confident that we are releasing highly qualified and competent manpower to the world of work and wealth creation. We are happy to be part of your career journey as the University provided you with academic resources to support curricular and co-curricular requirements and opportunities to engage socially in an institution that embraces unity in diversity.

As you graduate, remember the Chinese proverb that says;

‘’If you are planning for a year, plant rice; if you are planning for a decade, grow trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.”

Mount Kenya University has given you a lifetime investment. Use it to change the world.

Mr. Chancellor Sir, allow me to appreciate our Chief Guest and all our distinguished guests present physically and those following us online.

 

  • Council Approvals - Policies

Mr. Chancellor Sir,

The University Council has continued to support the institution to enhance stakeholder satisfaction through awesome customer experience that leads to the University attracting and retaining students, employees and partners.

The Council is committed to ensuring compliance to national and international training standards that are guided by policies and regulations. To this end, the Council approved Senate recommended policies as follows,

Data and Records Retention Policy

This Policy outlines University guidelines and procedures for management and retention of data, records, and documents. It will help in ensuring that the University maintains the necessary records while securely disposing those that are no longer needed, in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The University has complied with the principle of storage limitation in the Data Protection Act of 2019. This is in line with the principles of the Data Protection Act. The University is committed to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act and has conducted awareness creation to staff and students.

Amendments to Mount Kenya University Statutes Edition 7

 The University Council has approved the revised Statutes and separated them from the Schedules (Policies) as they had been previously combined as one document.

 

  • Mount Kenya University Policy Structure and Approval of Regulatory Documents

 In order to enhance good governance, the University Council has approved segregation of the policy and other regulatory documents.  This will align the University operations framework with aim of clarifying the purpose of each regulatory document and indicating the information that need to be included in various documents.  These are:

 

Approval for Establishment of Embu Open Distance and Electronic Learning (ODEL) Center

The establishment of the ODEL centre is to support the students in the Eastern region of Kenya. This is in pursuit of enhancement of service delivery and making MKU’s robust digital learning to be accessible to many aspiring students, and promote equity in higher education. The University has embraced internationalization of Higher Education and has attracted both local and international students to pursue internationally accredited programs. The Council has ensured that the education offered is affordable and accessible through the diverse modes of study. The University’s digital footprint is growing globally with students enrolling from more than 40 nationalities.

 

4.0 Conclusion

Mr. Chancellor Sir, as I conclude, I wish to give assurance that the University Council will continuously support the University initiatives in ensuring efficient service delivery to all the University stakeholders. The Council will support the University management to achieve the core functions of training, research and community service.

The University will strive to be competitive in order to attract and retain qualified, dedicated and competent staff.

THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

I WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND BLESSED 2024

|