Mount Kenya University (MKU) has hit a historic milestone, graduating 8,724 candidates during its 27th Graduation Ceremony held on Friday at the Pavillion Grounds, Thika. This includes 8,638 from MKU and 86 from its Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA)-accredited arm, Equip Africa Institute.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi congratulated the graduands, noting the university’s enrolment has surged to 60,223 students at MKU and 1,762 at Equip Africa Institute, the highest in its history for the May–August semester.
This year’s ceremony, themed “Catalyzing Innovation: Universities as Drivers of Artificial Intelligence”, featured Chancellor Prof. John Struthers, who lauded MKU’s steady growth over his seven-year tenure.
He highlighted the university’s new global partnerships, including its appointment as the UNAI SDG 9 Hub Chair on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, collaborations with international institutions in India, Oman, Abu Dhabi, and Germany, and the launch of a Sh5 million MKU Alumni Award to be presented in December 2025.
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University Council Chairman Dr. Vincent Gaitho announced a new Tuition Fee Remission Policy for staff, their dependents, and parents with more than two children enrolled at MKU. He also unveiled promotions for academic staff and the rollout of the University Integrated Resource Platform (UnIRP), a robust ICT system to enhance digital transformation and student services.
Dr. Gaitho added that MKU has partnered with Microsoft to integrate AI in learning, launched a Maritime Academy in Malindi, and partnered with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to offer German language courses, opening doors to international opportunities.
Guest speaker Dr. Tonny Omwanza, CEO of the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), urged graduands to embrace AI and innovation, noting MKU’s leadership role through projects like the €4.5 million DAAD-funded ACCESS 2.0 entrepreneurship initiative, the “Africa Meets Bavaria” innovation exchange, and the Research to Commercialization Accelerator Programme.
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MKU Alumni Association Chairman Gikera Kahara welcomed the graduates to a network of over 130,000 alumni and encouraged them to harness AI for career growth. The association has been hosting reunions, webinars, and networking events to showcase alumni achievements and foster collaborations.
Also present were MKU Co-founder Dr. Jane G. Nyutu, MKU Rwanda Vice-Chancellor Dr. Martin Kimemia, Chancellor Designate Prof. Egara Kabaji, Archbishop Anthony Muheria, and representatives from various universities and the University Council.
By John Kamau
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