It was pomp and colour at Mount Kenya University’s (MKU) 26th Graduation Ceremony, as more than 7,000 graduands received the power to read and do all that appertains to their different qualificiations.

The ceremony was held at the Happy Valley Graduation Pavillion in Thika, Kiambu County on Friday, December 6.

According to MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, a total of 7,448 graduands graduated from the Commission for University Education-accredited institution that received its charter in January 2011.

Of the 7,448 graduands, 12 were PhD students, 617 were Masters Degree students, 120 were Post-Graduate Diploma students while 5,087 were Bachelors Degree students.

Prof. Jaganyi thanked all graduands, parents and university staff for embracing the MKU brand wholehertedly, promising to “unlock the infinite possibilities” together. He, however, exuded confidence that the graduands had been given the opportunity to attain all the necessary competencies needed in their specific areas of specialisation.

The event, held under the theme “Internationalisation of University Education towards Development of a competitive Global Workforce” was attended by, among others, the chief guest Ambassador Eunice Kigenyi, who is Uganda’s Deputy High Commissioner in Nairobi, Kenya.

In her remarks, Ambassador Kigenyi hailed MKU and its leadership for advancing higher education beyond the Kenyan boarders.

“Since its inception, MKU has endeavoured to create campuses within and outside Kenya. MKU’s sister institution, the Mount Kigali University in Kigali, Rwanda is a good international player. MKU is internationalising university education,” Ambassador Kigenyi said.

Dr Vincent Gaitho, the Chairperson of the university council and pro-chancellor, assured the board of management’s continued support for research advancement, corporate social responsibility and local and international partnerships.

“To all graduands… Your graduation is testament to your hard-work, resilience, confidence and commitment. Going forward, this virtues will be invaluable assets as you turn pages in your life, nurture them,” Dr Gaitho remarked.

MKU Co-founder Dr Jane Nyutu outlined the institutions quest to set base in the region, highlighting that MKU had a marketing office in Uganda, and was building an office block in Kampala. “This will serve as a strategic point of expanding access to quality education to wider region covering South Sudan, parts of Burundi and the DRC.”

Passionate about mental health, Dr Jane Nyutu also delivered a speech that centred around why mental health is important to all, urging everyone to be observant and be their brother’s keeper when it comes to issues of mental health. “Anybody can be a victim, and there is help. This help should be sorted early.”

A proud MKU Chancellor hailed the institution for producing high-quality work-force that is capable of innovative ideas and tech-savvy, tools that are necessary for every economy world over.