By Emmanuel Gwakoi
Abagusii Culture and Development Council Secretary General, Samuel Bosire Angwenyi has urged elderly persons to seize opportunities and advance their education at universities and colleges to cope with arising challenges facing the society.
Bosire, who was among 3,013 students who graduated during Kisii University’s 11th graduation ceremony on Wednesday, December 14 with various Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates said that education opens the mind and enables people to discover their abilities in various fields and pursue them.
The official, 73, who graduated with Masters of Arts in Regional Planning, said he undertook his Undergraduate degree in Peace and Conflict studies in the University and was motivated to pursue Masters at the same institution.
During the ceremony attended by Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates, 25 graduated with PhDs, 54 with Masters, 2,302 with Degrees, 508 with Diplomas and 124 with Certificates. Degree, Diploma and Certificate graduates followed the proceedings virtually.
“I taught for 32 years, retired in 2011 and enrolled for the Masters immediately. I am enrolling for my PhD next year because I’m not yet satisfied,” Bosire told Education News.
He said adult and continuous education has no end thus age should not be used as an excuse for one to be complacent and not further their education.
Bosire appealed to graduates to use their knowledge and skills to engage in income generating activities, create jobs and improve their lives as they wait to be absorbed in the government or private sector.
“Law graduates can start their private firms, be self-employed and create jobs for other graduates. That is the way to go,” he said.
Speaking at the ceremony, State Department for University Education and Research Principal Secretary Dr. Beatrice Inyangala urged universities’ Boards of Management to invest in research and innovation to generate incomes to boost their academic programs.
The PS, who represented Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, asked them to collaborate with other partners to mobilize resources to supplement the government funds channeled to the universities.
The varsity Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. John Akama noted that the government has accredited it to offer Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes to equip students with market-driven skills and knowledge to improve their lives.
During the Covid 19 outbreak, he noted that the university made sanitizers and masks to curb the spread of the disease and was recognized in the annual presidential report.
The VC, accompanied by the University Council chair, Carolyne Chesubo urged the graduates to use their skills to improve the community.
“You benefited through Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). The government invested in your education and we urge you to leave the society better than you found it,” he said.
