MKU STAGES A MASSIVE GRADUATION CEREMONY TO REMEMBER
Kanini Evans Kariuki
November 05, 2009
THE sweltering sun rays threw an endless glare at the site of the ceremony, but the huge crowd-the biggest ever witnessed in Kenya in recent times, was determined to remain in attendance without any strand of their hair being shaken.
The heat of the sun would not keep the curious and attentive crowd at bay.
People of all walks of life braved the sun´s biting rays to the logical conclusion of the all-important event.
It was a big day indeed for retired Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi who was the recipient of a honorary doctorate at the Mount Kenya University (MKU).
It was also a big day for the MKU itself, staff and students; the institutions chairman Simon Gicharu, the local community and the education fraternity.
Yes, it was a ceremony to behold!
Most of Kenya´s crème de la crème in the education industry availed itself at the university located in Thika town-Central Kenya.
What a great and lovely day!
No doubt, intellectual Gicharu-looking composed, elegant and vivacious, was in one of his happiest moods in life.
Sited besides the retired President Moi, Gicharu-now a household name for starting the Mount Kenya University from humble beginnings, was the face of the much-talked-about institution and its history, and needless to say, the solace in people's hearts over his legacy that is bound to live on for generations to come.
And before the ceremony kicked off, an elated Gicharu was seen engaged in a palatable tète a tète with the equally jovial Moi.
The two cracked intermittent jokes in the course of their private conversation at the guests stand, and occasionally burst out laughing in fresh outbursts of mirth as the sun shone overhead.
It was also one of the best moments for Moi as he was the one who was being honored.
Another significant aspect of the event was that Gicharu came face to face with Moi who, during his protracted 24- year reign, wielded stupendous political power and influence.
The colorful Mount Kenya Rover was later to scream: "GICHARU MEETS MOI"
Like Gicharu, Moi is a believer in the aphorism that Education is the Recipe for Success.
It is the foundation upon which the country develops and on the strength of this, it should be enhanced at all costs.
To many a staff and students of MKU, it was like a dream come true when they staged a massive graduation ceremony.
Even old universities were surprised how a young university such as MKU could out do them in organizing a world-class graduation ceremony.
The highlight of the day was the conferment of a honorary doctorate to former President Moi by the Chancellor, Prof Victoria Wulsin.
The former President accepted the award and commended MKU for the giant strides it had made in joining elite universities.
Among guest dignitaries present included: Permanent Secretary, Prof Crispus Kiamba, who represented Dr. Sally Kosgei, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, former First Lady, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, Higher Education Loan Board CEO, Mr. Benjamin Cheboi, former Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor, Prof George Eshiwani, Thika Mayor, Councilor Johnstone Muriuki, chairmen of and vice-chancellors of various universities, businessmen and thousands of parents, guardians and well wishers from both Kenya and foreign countries from where MKU draws its students and staff.
Also present at the lively ceremony was Gicharu's beloved wife Mrs Jane Gathoni. Behind every successful man is a woman, so the saying goes.
Those invited but could not make it to the event sent apologies to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Stanley Waudo.
The congregation which numbered about 10,000, braved the scotching sun to keep abreast with the proceedings of the ceremony and were not disappointed.
Apart from listening to nicely packaged and delivered speeches, they were also treated to heart-rending melodies by various groups which included: Kayamba Africa, Kabarak University Choir, Daystar University Choir, Municipal Council of Thika, Prisons Band, Mount Kenya University Choir, among others.
Those honored by Mount Kenya University for their contributions to the country included: Joseph M.Nthenge, the GSU cop who used diplomacy to stop destruction of property by a group of rioters during the post-election violence in January 2008 in Nairobi, Municipal Council of Thika for the services and facilities it has improved in Thika, the home of Mount Kenya University.
Also not to be left behind was Mr. Vimal Shah, the CEO, Bidco Limited, a man whose business acumen has created jobs (both directly and indirectly) to thousands of Kenyans and contributed immensely to Kenya´s economy.
At the end of it all, the university staff and students who had been anxious about the ceremony, congratulated themselves for the job well done and promised to make it even better next year.
MOI APPLAUDS THE GROWTH OF MKU
BELOW IS AN ABRIDGED VERSION OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT´S SPEECH:
"Today´s function marks the start of a journey for you, as you embark on a programme to offer University Education. Your journey of many million miles, has taken off in earnest, with the first one step. We are marking this step with this inaugural graduation ceremony.
Please accept my congratulations for qualifying to be a university! I have a personal experience in this matter, and I can testify that to qualify to be a university is not a joke.
You are subjected to very strenuous conditions. You are scrutinized in every detail. They peek into every nook and crevice of your campus. They count the books in your library before they ask whether your sewage will not pollute the nearby river.
Sometimes you are ordered to repeat a test. Sometimes you sit a supplementary examination. At one time I compared it with a rite of passage, if you are an African, you know what I mean.
So if you, Mount Kenya University, have emerged from this, and you can still afford a smile, then you deserve the congratulatory messages!
I have been deeply touched by your conferment upon me; of the degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa). I have been impressed by your thoughtfulness in bringing up the subject of peace, to this August congregation, and to our Kenya Nation at large.
The message of peace is a good message. It has a message I feel proud to be associated with. It is also a message I would rather bequeath to my nation, my people and humanity.
Peace builds and restores, it never destroys. I can certainly disapprove of an oft- repeated lie that says, "if you want peace, then make war."
I wonder where this logic came from, peace and war are not alike. They do not resemble one another. Neither do they travel in the same bus or in the same speed, or the same direction.
For those of us who are in the peace mission, I can count upon Mount Kenya University, and the many Kenya peace missionaries, both young and old, as beacons upon which peace will illuminate this land. I am hopeful that the young people who are here to seek education, will share the ideals of peace which this university has already identified itself with.
Of the twenty three universities operating in the country, only seven of them are public-funded. This means that the private sector plays a larger role in providing university education to maintain the highest standards possible.
The increase in number of universities should inspire us to focus on quality rather than quantity. We do not boast of papers but no substance.
I recognize that Kenyan Universities admit students from the wider East African region. This confidence which has been earned must be maintained at all times through offering of quality education.
Only the strongest economies can absorb the large number of graduates emerging out of universities in Eastern Africa each year. But looking at the prevailing situation, we can only advise that the universities strive to mould young people to prepare them for self-employment.
This is one reason why I have commendation for Mount Kenya University for maintaining the teaching of technical subjects. This is another reason yet, why peace must be jealously guarded in the region so as to attract investments.
In this regard, I would like to commend Mount Kenya University which started by offering certificate and diploma courses for maintaining their tradition, even after qualifying to offer university degrees.
We applaud your resolve because you have not yielded to the temptation to swallow the smaller colleges in favour of big time university education.
The public universities have exhibited a big appetite to swallow tertiary colleges, ignoring the needs of the many children who come out of primary and secondary school´s each year.
The development of higher education has exposed us to new realities in the pursuit of knowledge. For example, it is no longer necessary to rely purely on academic qualifications to earn a degree.
I challenge our Kenya universities to expand their curricular and explore other non-academic training and spots so that their graduates are wholesome and competent performers in the socio-economic field.
The world outside academia offers unlimited opportunities for an individual to excel and earn himself or herself a decent living. Laying emphasis on non-academic disciplines should not of course, erode the commitment to produce high caliber professionals who can carry the heavy social responsibilities we face.
We also need to produce educated persons who love their country with their whole heart, as opposed to those who give priority to their tribes.
I have followed with keen interest the growth of Mount Kenya University from a humble college in the neighborhood, to the citadel of knowledge we are seeing today.
The growth is a product of the vision and determination of its founder, Mr Simon Gicharu. I commend him for that vision and the energies he has expended to make this project a success story.
I am happy that in planning for this university, a lot has been done to scout for the counsel and advice of some of Kenya´s best academic brains and university managers.
I am looking forward to a very vibrant university here. By borrowing from the skills of the respectable personalities who have been placed to manage the university, from the university Council, the Senate and the teaching staff, I am confident that this university has taken its work seriously.
I urge the Government to listen to the needs of the private universities and respond positively on the issues that help the university to improve their teaching.
These universities may need support to import equipment and other teaching aids which enhance their programs. And since they are a big player in the higher education sector, the universities deserve a considerate hearing from the Government.
I appeal to Mount Kenya University to stay the course and be a reliable source of education and knowledge.Be the university that uplifts humanity through research, and application of the knowledge to improve life.It is not far-fetched for you to be identified as the University of the People!"
The heat of the sun would not keep the curious and attentive crowd at bay.
People of all walks of life braved the sun´s biting rays to the logical conclusion of the all-important event.
It was a big day indeed for retired Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi who was the recipient of a honorary doctorate at the Mount Kenya University (MKU).
It was also a big day for the MKU itself, staff and students; the institutions chairman Simon Gicharu, the local community and the education fraternity.
Yes, it was a ceremony to behold!
Most of Kenya´s crème de la crème in the education industry availed itself at the university located in Thika town-Central Kenya.
What a great and lovely day!
No doubt, intellectual Gicharu-looking composed, elegant and vivacious, was in one of his happiest moods in life.
Sited besides the retired President Moi, Gicharu-now a household name for starting the Mount Kenya University from humble beginnings, was the face of the much-talked-about institution and its history, and needless to say, the solace in people's hearts over his legacy that is bound to live on for generations to come.
And before the ceremony kicked off, an elated Gicharu was seen engaged in a palatable tète a tète with the equally jovial Moi.
The two cracked intermittent jokes in the course of their private conversation at the guests stand, and occasionally burst out laughing in fresh outbursts of mirth as the sun shone overhead.
It was also one of the best moments for Moi as he was the one who was being honored.
Another significant aspect of the event was that Gicharu came face to face with Moi who, during his protracted 24- year reign, wielded stupendous political power and influence.
The colorful Mount Kenya Rover was later to scream: "GICHARU MEETS MOI"
Like Gicharu, Moi is a believer in the aphorism that Education is the Recipe for Success.
It is the foundation upon which the country develops and on the strength of this, it should be enhanced at all costs.
To many a staff and students of MKU, it was like a dream come true when they staged a massive graduation ceremony.
Even old universities were surprised how a young university such as MKU could out do them in organizing a world-class graduation ceremony.
The highlight of the day was the conferment of a honorary doctorate to former President Moi by the Chancellor, Prof Victoria Wulsin.
The former President accepted the award and commended MKU for the giant strides it had made in joining elite universities.
Among guest dignitaries present included: Permanent Secretary, Prof Crispus Kiamba, who represented Dr. Sally Kosgei, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, former First Lady, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, Higher Education Loan Board CEO, Mr. Benjamin Cheboi, former Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor, Prof George Eshiwani, Thika Mayor, Councilor Johnstone Muriuki, chairmen of and vice-chancellors of various universities, businessmen and thousands of parents, guardians and well wishers from both Kenya and foreign countries from where MKU draws its students and staff.
Also present at the lively ceremony was Gicharu's beloved wife Mrs Jane Gathoni. Behind every successful man is a woman, so the saying goes.
Those invited but could not make it to the event sent apologies to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Stanley Waudo.
The congregation which numbered about 10,000, braved the scotching sun to keep abreast with the proceedings of the ceremony and were not disappointed.
Apart from listening to nicely packaged and delivered speeches, they were also treated to heart-rending melodies by various groups which included: Kayamba Africa, Kabarak University Choir, Daystar University Choir, Municipal Council of Thika, Prisons Band, Mount Kenya University Choir, among others.
Those honored by Mount Kenya University for their contributions to the country included: Joseph M.Nthenge, the GSU cop who used diplomacy to stop destruction of property by a group of rioters during the post-election violence in January 2008 in Nairobi, Municipal Council of Thika for the services and facilities it has improved in Thika, the home of Mount Kenya University.
Also not to be left behind was Mr. Vimal Shah, the CEO, Bidco Limited, a man whose business acumen has created jobs (both directly and indirectly) to thousands of Kenyans and contributed immensely to Kenya´s economy.
At the end of it all, the university staff and students who had been anxious about the ceremony, congratulated themselves for the job well done and promised to make it even better next year.
MOI APPLAUDS THE GROWTH OF MKU
BELOW IS AN ABRIDGED VERSION OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT´S SPEECH:
"Today´s function marks the start of a journey for you, as you embark on a programme to offer University Education. Your journey of many million miles, has taken off in earnest, with the first one step. We are marking this step with this inaugural graduation ceremony.
Please accept my congratulations for qualifying to be a university! I have a personal experience in this matter, and I can testify that to qualify to be a university is not a joke.
You are subjected to very strenuous conditions. You are scrutinized in every detail. They peek into every nook and crevice of your campus. They count the books in your library before they ask whether your sewage will not pollute the nearby river.
Sometimes you are ordered to repeat a test. Sometimes you sit a supplementary examination. At one time I compared it with a rite of passage, if you are an African, you know what I mean.
So if you, Mount Kenya University, have emerged from this, and you can still afford a smile, then you deserve the congratulatory messages!
I have been deeply touched by your conferment upon me; of the degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa). I have been impressed by your thoughtfulness in bringing up the subject of peace, to this August congregation, and to our Kenya Nation at large.
The message of peace is a good message. It has a message I feel proud to be associated with. It is also a message I would rather bequeath to my nation, my people and humanity.
Peace builds and restores, it never destroys. I can certainly disapprove of an oft- repeated lie that says, "if you want peace, then make war."
I wonder where this logic came from, peace and war are not alike. They do not resemble one another. Neither do they travel in the same bus or in the same speed, or the same direction.
For those of us who are in the peace mission, I can count upon Mount Kenya University, and the many Kenya peace missionaries, both young and old, as beacons upon which peace will illuminate this land. I am hopeful that the young people who are here to seek education, will share the ideals of peace which this university has already identified itself with.
Of the twenty three universities operating in the country, only seven of them are public-funded. This means that the private sector plays a larger role in providing university education to maintain the highest standards possible.
The increase in number of universities should inspire us to focus on quality rather than quantity. We do not boast of papers but no substance.
I recognize that Kenyan Universities admit students from the wider East African region. This confidence which has been earned must be maintained at all times through offering of quality education.
Only the strongest economies can absorb the large number of graduates emerging out of universities in Eastern Africa each year. But looking at the prevailing situation, we can only advise that the universities strive to mould young people to prepare them for self-employment.
This is one reason why I have commendation for Mount Kenya University for maintaining the teaching of technical subjects. This is another reason yet, why peace must be jealously guarded in the region so as to attract investments.
In this regard, I would like to commend Mount Kenya University which started by offering certificate and diploma courses for maintaining their tradition, even after qualifying to offer university degrees.
We applaud your resolve because you have not yielded to the temptation to swallow the smaller colleges in favour of big time university education.
The public universities have exhibited a big appetite to swallow tertiary colleges, ignoring the needs of the many children who come out of primary and secondary school´s each year.
The development of higher education has exposed us to new realities in the pursuit of knowledge. For example, it is no longer necessary to rely purely on academic qualifications to earn a degree.
I challenge our Kenya universities to expand their curricular and explore other non-academic training and spots so that their graduates are wholesome and competent performers in the socio-economic field.
The world outside academia offers unlimited opportunities for an individual to excel and earn himself or herself a decent living. Laying emphasis on non-academic disciplines should not of course, erode the commitment to produce high caliber professionals who can carry the heavy social responsibilities we face.
We also need to produce educated persons who love their country with their whole heart, as opposed to those who give priority to their tribes.
I have followed with keen interest the growth of Mount Kenya University from a humble college in the neighborhood, to the citadel of knowledge we are seeing today.
The growth is a product of the vision and determination of its founder, Mr Simon Gicharu. I commend him for that vision and the energies he has expended to make this project a success story.
I am happy that in planning for this university, a lot has been done to scout for the counsel and advice of some of Kenya´s best academic brains and university managers.
I am looking forward to a very vibrant university here. By borrowing from the skills of the respectable personalities who have been placed to manage the university, from the university Council, the Senate and the teaching staff, I am confident that this university has taken its work seriously.
I urge the Government to listen to the needs of the private universities and respond positively on the issues that help the university to improve their teaching.
These universities may need support to import equipment and other teaching aids which enhance their programs. And since they are a big player in the higher education sector, the universities deserve a considerate hearing from the Government.
I appeal to Mount Kenya University to stay the course and be a reliable source of education and knowledge.Be the university that uplifts humanity through research, and application of the knowledge to improve life.It is not far-fetched for you to be identified as the University of the People!"
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