
At Taifa Hall, on Friday, December 16, 2022, the University of Nairobi (UoN) held its 68th Graduation Ceremony for the conferment of degrees and the awarding of Diplomas.
The congregation was guided by the theme Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development.
Over 6,600 students graduated from the ten faculties in the Kenya’s leading University, bringing the total of the graduates being released by UoN into the labor market this academic year to over 10, 000, inclusive of the September graduates.
Apart from the UoN staff, other high-profile guests from across the country witnessed the ceremony, including the Principal Secretary (PS) for Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang, who represented the Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu, Chancellors and Vice Chancellors from other universities, scholars and politicians, among others.
In his valedictory speech, Collins Miheso, the class valedictorian (highest performing student in the graduating class), noted that the family he has cultivated during his academic journey within the university has been his inspiration to unleash a better version of himself.
He congratulated the graduands for their tireless efforts, commitment and determination, which has seen them graduate, and called upon them to be accountable through serving humanity, investing in the skills they’ve garnered.
The Representative of the Chair Alumni Association UoN, Dr. Christine Ochieng, who is the Director, Probation and Aftercare Services, State Department for Correctional Services, delivered the alumni speech.
“As an alumnae of this prestigious university, I encourage you to utilize your skills, competencies and knowledge acquired during your academic time at the university to not only transform our communities and our country but make the world a better place,” she urged.
Dr. Ochieng challenged them to venture into business and innovation, whether by employment or private practice, encouraging them to create a positive impact on the society by applying all the lessons bagged during their college life.
She also revealed that the Alumni Association will roll out an advertisement for applications by bright yet needy students from early next year for financial support.
Council Chair’s message
Prof. Mirriam Were, the UoN Council Chair, underscored the need for perseverance and discipline as important virtues in academia and typical life.
Beyond the degree specialization and aspirations, she urged them to branch out, remain diverse and pursue different paths in life, sticking to ethics.

Appreciating the Vice Chancellor’s efforts in the ongoing reforms in diverse critical fields within the university, she added, “As University Council, we intend to sustain this momentum to achieve greater gains for the university and our country. This university is to maintain its world-class status.”
The VC’s nuggets
According to the UoN Vice Chancellor, Prof John Kiama, the students have written their own history.
Through Dr. Belio Kipsang, he urged the government to consider funding UoN more to allow it to continue delivering top-notch training.
He encouraged the graduands to be vibrant in the labor market.
“We send you there to pursue your dreams and chart your own path,” he told them.
Teamwork
Through concerted efforts by all stakeholders, the University of Nairobi will become great, taking it where it deserves: a vibrant, viable, resilient and sustainable university, as in the convictions of Prof. Kiama.
In general, he appreciated the efforts made by all workers, academic and support staff, saying that human resource and teamwork has seen them that far.
“We will continue doing so to recognize those who continue to help the Univerity of Nairobi to remain on the map,” he said.
On partnerships
In Academics, Research and Community service, and other scholarly spheres, UoN has continued to shine. The focus is to continue adding value to strategic partners while also benefitting from the partnerships.
“We are the only University in Africa that has been chosen by the leading University in Finland, the University of Helsinki for a strategic global collaboration covering flagship programs like health, education, climate change, engineering, teaching and research,” the VC revealed.
The University of Helsinki is the oldest and largest university in Finland, with the broadest range of disciplines available, mainly focusing on research.
Such partnerships are set to drive inclusive digital growth in Africa, boosting education, technology and entrepreneurship.
On Climate Climate, “We have established a global partnership with the Global Center for Adaptation (GCA) to accelerate climate adaptation in Africa,” said Prof. Kiama, noting that earlier this year, the GCA funded UoN through the Institute of Climate Change and Adaptation, for research and supporting innovations around climate among the youth, women and community adaptation.
The University is also keen on upscaling training on health, having inked a Partnership Agreement with a Pharmaceutical Company for better research and training to combat cancer.

In community service, UoN has been partnering with United Nations ESCO, UN Women and various stakeholders.
“The university of Nairobi has started the first Gender-Based Violence recovery center inside a university in this region,” said the VC.
They help and support students and young people battling mental health issues, drug and substance abuse, and other related complications as a show of the institution’s care and love to the public.
For various reasons, students get expelled from the university and some discontinue their academic journey.
The Vice Chancellor noted that at UoN, they have been pardoning such students and allowing them back to school to continue with their studies and serve the community, revealing that over 30 students have received such pardoning hitherto.
“That is the mark of a university!” he exclaimed.
The iconic university is on its way to establishing different Centers aimed at further training, collaborations and other academic-based impacts on the University, Kenya and Africa as a whole.
Education as investment
PS Kipsang thanked the UoN Chancellor for investing hugely in young people through education, which translates to investing into the future.
He equally urged the VC to use the high status of the University of Nairobi to ink more partnerships and continue making the institution different from all others in the region on matters quality and top-notch status.
Representing CS Machogu, PS Kipsang applauded the graduands for their resilience and added that the country is banking on them to be the best in their fields of work.
CS Machogu implored the now graduates to serve the community and support their alma mater by contributing to the already-established Endowment Fund.

As part of the academic, CS Machogu appreciated the contributions made by the university as insights into the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, encouraging them to continue giving more input to the task force.
On his own behalf, PS Kipsang added to the calls, expressing his anticipation for a time when any of the universities in the country will decide to host a conference to address the proper steps worthy of taking as a country towards a promising and safe academic destination.
“We look forward to your leadership as our academic teams to give us solutions and guide us into the future,” he anticipated.
With the students investing in their time and financial resources to acquire training in the university, the university was urged to consider infusing higher quality and thorough training as bait to students across the globe, benefit the trainees, and offer value for their resources.
“I also challenge you to direct more energy in research so that you can be able to generate new knowledge and attract additional resources to support you in managing your institution. Research is where you have a competitive advantage as a university,” urged the CS.
He underscored the need for good, optimized networks in the academic and workplace spaces, as well as remaining patriotic and open to expending all their efforts to improve their communities’ well-being.
Reflections post-independence
In the words of Dr. Vijoo Rattansi, the Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, “Our gathering today, in a sense, invites us to reflect upon our dreams at independence and the contribution of academia to our homelands’ socio-economic development, keeping in mind that education id the spine of any nation.”
She underscored the power of education, terming it essential for a nation’s prosperity.
Dr. Rattansi, known for her unwavering support on education, hailed the country for taking a different path concerning education.
Brighter path
“I am therefore delighted and to note with satisfaction that as a nation, we have decided to relook at our education system in light of our founding aspirations, values and ideals,” she said.
Noting that five decades since independence, Kenya has advanced in diverse areas, she called upon the university to be at the forefront in adding value and contributing to the development of the entire nation with unity of purpose.

But in all engagements, “We must never depart from our ideals of a caring university. We must endeavor to create or co-create an environment that fosters good vibes,” said the Chancellor.
On hierarchical leadership, she highlighted that it is paramount that each one respects the authorities of the other, embracing appointing powers and division of labor, adding that institutions stand when governance stands and fail when governance fails.
To the graduands, the Chancellor reminded them that out in the community, the society will look up to them for solutions, urging them to be the light and salt of the world, with commitment and vibrancy.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: Thousands graduate from Kisii University, urged to chide entitlement
Identifying the myriad projects being undertaken by the government, she challenged the graduating class to grab the opportunities available and remain productive.
She further urged the government “… to consider the University of Nairobi as a valuable partner and skilled resource provider towards realization of the various development initiatives.”