Monday 31 August 2020 

To all students reporting for their maiden study at an institution of higher learning, welcome to Egerton University.

Congratulations for earning your slots to pursue your studies at this great institution. As you probably know already, Egerton University was founded in 1939 as a Farm School by Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton, making it the oldest institution of higher learning in Kenya.

Today, the University is the pre-eminent University in the training of Agriculture and related disciplines, churning out qualified graduands who attract high demand in the labor market.

At Egerton University, we work SMART, with diligence, discipline and strict adherence to applicable laws and regulations in Kenya and the world.

Governance of the Division and Students Welfare 

The Division of Planning, Administration and Development superintends over functions that cater for the welfare of staff and students. These include:

• Directorate of University Welfare Services (UWS) which is headed by the Director, University Welfare Services, who coordinates operations at the Halls of Residence, Catering department and the Disability Mainstreaming Office. The Students’ Halls department is headed by a Chief Halls Officer while the Catering department is headed by a Chief Catering Officer;
• The University Medical Centre, which is a Level 3A medical facility, is headed by the Chief Medical Officer. Students are assured of proper medical care on campus.
• The Water and Sanitation department is headed by a Resident Water Engineer. This department ensures continuous provision of clean water throughout the university.
• Security department is headed by a high ranking Chief Inspector of Police who also acts as the University Chief Security Officer. He coordinates all security organs in the University including the outsourced private security company and the government provided security officers from the National Police Service, hosted on campus.
• Transport department headed by the Transport Officer. This department facilitates all transport logistics for the University including students’ academic trips, field visits and sporting activities off campus.
• Estates department is headed by the Estates Manager. It is at this department where repairs of furniture and fixtures are handled to ensure sustained comfort of students.

Statistics

The University is able to host 60% of its students on campus hostels. Students have an option of seeking accommodation facilities outside the campus in the neighboring community. Because of the Government guidelines and regulations to contain the spread of Corona virus pandemic, university hostels are set up to host a total of 5000.

The accommodation plan is such that students have options to stay in whichever hostel they prefer. Prices range from Ksh.2500 to Ksh.5500 per semester. To get a slot in a preferred hostel, the University facilitates students to book through an online platform on first come basis.

Students Conduct

Students are expected to abide by the rules and regulations governing student conduct while at Egerton University. These are contained in the Student Information Handbook given to all students on admission.

Grooming

Dress code should be as detailed in the Student Information Handbook. Generally, students are expected to maintain high level of personal hygiene. This is especially key during this period of COVID-19. The University has set up hygiene protocols in hostels and other public areas that are expected to be observed at all times.

You are encouraged to wear your fascial masks at all times and avoid unnecessary gatherings that go against the provided guidelines on physical/social distancing.

Your living areas should always be kept neat and in order to keep away transmittable ailments.

Corruption & Integrity Issues

Students should refrain from acts of corruption and conduct themselves with the highest level of integrity.

The University treats acts of corruption as criminal and cases identified are handed over to the National Police Service for prosecution.

You are urged to avoid giving false information of any form to authorities. Both statutory and University regulations will be applied to deal with those who negate principles of integrity.

Social Life

• Survive the “Freshers” web. Choose well. You will succeed or fail 100% individually. Appreciate that you are a student and do what is required of you.
• Social groups: Never adopt "anything goes mentality". That will be the beginning of the end for you. Shun bad company and be prudent
• Personal conduct & with others/staff/administration should always be official. High decorum is expected of you.

Vices

Drugs and alcohol are a global problem with devastating consequences on health, security, safety and culture of the institution. Alcohol and substance abuse is prevalent among students. Those found engaging in these vices are traced, arrested, prosecuted to instill discipline.

The University has a policy Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Liaise with the office of the Dean of Students and the Directorate of University Welfare to familiarize yourselves with the document to be on the safe side.

Theft of property belonging to colleagues and the University is criminal and punishable by expulsion from the University. Use only what belongs to you or officially allocated by the University.

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is rife in the student community and you are encouraged to follow the ABC rule to protect yourselves. VCT services are available at the University Medical Centre. ARVs are provided to those infected. Students should not shy away from these services.

Facilities and Resources

Protection and preservation of University resources and facilities (books, vehicles, Furniture, Equipment, Materials, etc) is the responsibility of every student.

These are the resources that are key in delivering the quality education the University provides.

Penalties accompanying loss, misuse and damage of University property will apply.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Egerton University is prepared to deal with cases of COVID-19 identified on campus. An isolation center has been set up and activities here are coordinated closely with the Nakuru County COVID-19 Response Team to handle emergency cases.

The University has established a COVID-19 Monitoring and Response Taskforce which is charged with the responsibility of coordinating activities geared towards preventing the spread of the virus in line with the Government Guidelines and Regulations.

Adequate water and soap will be availed at all public areas to ensure students wash hands regularly.

You are required to cooperate with the security personnel at the University entrances when they stop you for screening purposes. The idea is to detect and isolate people suspected to be displaying symptoms in order to stem the spread.

Note that unnecessary movement in and out of campus will be kept at minimum.

Problem Solving

Whenever you need assistance on campus you are encouraged to contact the following officers:

• Dean of students
• Director, University Welfare Services
• Heads of Department
• Students’ Counsellor
• Respective Faculty Deans/Directors

Always remember to be your Brother/Sisters keeper. Reach out to your colleagues who may be undergoing challenges.

The University uses various modes of communication. Wireless internet hotspots are installed in strategic areas around campus. These are aimed at helping students leverage on technology to access online academic resources.

Various social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp are also employed to make communication reach intended recipients.

The other way the University often communicates to the public is through its website which also hosts a variety of important university policies and guidelines.

Best wishes to each of you on the start of your professional academic journey

God Bless you all.

OUR ESTEEMED CUSTOMERS,

I am very delighted to welcome you to this premier University. You are joining a Premier University, very committed to mentoring you in a process of transforming your lives through quality education.

I will explain to you what it will involve to transform your lives through education at Egerton University. First, let me tell you about the Division of Research and Extension, which I am currently heading.

We have three administrative divisions in the University- the Division of Academic Affairs, popular as AA; the Division of Administration, Planning and Development, popular as APD; and the Division of Research and Extension, popular as R&E. What the AA and APD are will be explained to you soon after me.

The Division of Research and Extension is responsible to the Vice Chancellor on matters pertaining to:

• Research administration and coordination
• Extension and outreach delivery including Seeds of Gold Magazine
• Consultancy services delivery
• Forging University –Industry partnerships and relations
• Developing Lord Egerton Agricity
• Vocational training
• Documentation of research outputs
• Planning and organizing scientific conferences
• Planning and organizing University participation in Agricultural Shows and Exhibitions
• Managing the University Botanic garden and conserving Njoro River
• Managing the University Dryland research facilities

Our daily clients are researchers, actors from the industry, the government, external resource partners and students who are beneficiaries of research grant fellowships. I suppose that some of you are our immediate clients.

Let me now turn to my earlier promise, that I explain to you what it will involve to transform your lives through education at Egerton University.

The transformation process will involve investment lasting from two years to six years, depending on the degree programme you are enrolling in. It is two years if you are enrolling into a master degree programme. But it will six years if you are enrolling into a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree programme.  Other degree programmes fall in between.

The investment will be jointly between you the student and us the University. We will be needing additional investments from your parents and guardians. Also the continuing students you will be interacting with, and the government and resource partners globally.

On our part, we commit to mentor you, educate you, train you, motivate and inspire you, and to empower you. We also commit to reward you whenever you excel, exceed expectation, or emerge exemplary in your performance, both in curricula and extra curricula tasks. There are several kinds of rewards designed for you. You will be knowing about them and attached requirements in the course of your orientation and study programme.

On your part, uphold discipline, work honestly smart, be positive in thinking, visualize more successful outcomes in your education life at Egerton University, and prioritize positive actions for achieving those successful outcomes that you identify with.

On your part, dedicate yourself to a life of continuous self-improvement and growth. Of course there will be challenges on your way, but view those challenges as opportunities. Turn them into beneficial events in your life. Never give up in the face of challenges. The number of challenges you will overcome will shape your life that you want to live.

It is my prayer that the life you want to live is that of going after your dreams. Your dreams will remain valid –when you pursue them while guided by Egerton University core values. Let me share with you some of our core values: integrity, accountability, and passion for excellence, passion for conservation, innovativeness and creativity.

Today we are welcoming you on a virtual platform because of the unprecedented disruption of our lives inflicted by Covid-19 pandemic. However, it should not make our good plans, hopes and future become uncertain. At Egerton University, we are learning lessons quickly and responsively adapting to the new normal to assure our esteemed customers of continuous improvement in our curricula and service delivery in the Covid-19 era and beyond.

On your part, take good care of yourself, your health and your loved ones as well as your fellow students. Regularly and continuously update yourself with the advice, innovations and trends about COVID -19 in order that you will responsively adapt to the new normal culture.

As I end my welcoming address, I say Congratulations coming to grow here under our dedicated mentorship and inspiration.

May God bless you abundantly through your transformation journey to a great Alumni of the Egerton University.

It brings me great joy to address our esteemed 1st Years - the latest addition to our Egerton University family. With the happenings of the year, Egerton University’s ability to water the dreams of thousands of individuals despite the constraints that stand, has stood the test of time. This orientation process goes to show Egerton University’s preparedness and motivation to dissipate education despite the circumstances that lie. 

On behalf of the Division of Academic Affairs, I wish to share with you a resounding message of congratulations for the far that you’ve come. You have beaten the odds to join one of the best institutions of higher learning in Kenya, Africa, and beyond. I couldn’t think of any other place I would rather be. 

Welcome to Egerton University! A university that is intent on transforming lives through quality education!

The Division of Academic Affairs thanks you, for choosing Egerton University and exercising a great deal of patience all through the induction process. I thank The Dean of Students’ office for going to great lengths to organize this orientation that has been fruitful in ushering you into their next step in life. The positive feedback garnered through the entire process sends back a message of a team prepared for academic empowerment and holistic growth.

Dear students,

This is the first orientation program of its kind for all of us even as a university. A few months back, none of us thought that we would be speaking to you from the back of a screen. But as life has it, there will always be the first of many things that will come our way. This realization calls for open-mindedness in our approach towards life and all that encompasses it. As a university, we are proud to say that we have steered conversations towards the incorporation of technology in the delivery of education for quite a while. To say that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a blessing in disguise is an understatement. 

The pandemic has opened our eyes to avenues that we for long thought were far out of reach. Starting with this virtual orientation, we are the first public institution in Keya to hold induction of students of such a massive scale online. I am proud to also share that we are also the first public university in Kenya to hold virtual graduation utilizing all virtual spaces successfully. We are also on course with online classes and have conducted several masters and PhD defences online. Now, many of the courses that best fit an online teaching module shall remain that way even after we beat the pandemic.

It is safe to say that we are on the right course towards advancing quality education. With you being central to this change, you shall also attend classes online for the better part of the foreseeable future until normalcy resumes. Even then, many of the courses and programs that best fit an online teaching module shall remain so. You will go into history books as being the first lot to fully start their learning program on an online basis.

Having this understanding and knowledge that the Division of Academic Affairs is directly charged with guaranteeing the academic well-being of our students, I, therefore, stand here to tell you that we are going to be with you every step of the way to guarantee your academic, social, and professional breakthrough. My office shall hold your hand through this journey and ensure that you are furnished with the best of quality education.

 Kindly note that the Division of Academic Affairs will determine your stay in this great institution since it is this division that is responsible for your academics and affairs at individual level including all extracurricular activities. This is the division that will recommend your recognition and commendations when you do well and punishment when you do observe our rules and regulations. I would urge all of you to ensure that you download the student handbook and our rules and regulations from the orientation website and read and understand them.

Our esteemed students,

I am sure you have heard a lot concerning Egerton University, our history, facilities, and everything that defines us. The people who spoke before me have shared to great lengths about how great Egerton University is. I can’t add anything more to what they have already shared. I second every sentiment because I am a product of Egerton University family and I am a testimony of the goodness of this great university. I was where you are 32 years ago.

I believe that you have joined a university with a track record of producing the finest individuals who change the conversations and steer the world forward. One thing is, however, central to all this greatness; the people. The entity that is pertinent to the luminous status of Egerton University is not its facilities or its hallmark position in academics and research. It is us – you included.

Our students, our lecturers, our other staff, and our extended community have a unique ability to express undying love and commitment in their undertakings in ways that surpass human understanding, and in many ways, bringing out the best of Egerton University. This spirit of belonging follows an Egertonian wherever they go and they do their best to make Egerton University stand out. This has always reflected well on us long after all has been said and done. Our passion for excellence and devotion to duty, as stipulated in our anthem, has made us stand out from the crowd as Egertonians. 

Given the great honour that comes with being an Egertonian, we now send back the responsibility to you to defend the Egerton University brand. Upon each of your heads rests a crown. And as we all know, “Heavy is the head that rests the crown”. Now that you identify as Egertonians, it is up to you to live up to the standard and if possible, surpass it. 

Someone might ask, “But how will I do this?”.

The answer is quite simple: Set out on a journey of innovativeness, integrity, professionalism, and every other core value that this great university is founded upon. Be sure to make good of any opportunity you have to better yourselves and the brand you represent. Explore your talents, break your academic limitations and exercise your God-given leadership in everything you partake of and don’t forget to be better versions of yourselves each day. 

By doing such simple things, you will have lived up to the great name that is Egerton University.

I am saying this with so much conviction because I understand that you did not make it this far because of luck. And neither did we. To be fair, no successful person makes it that high because of luck. Luck suggests success or failure brought about by chance rather than one's resolve. The far we have come, the milestones we have crossed, and the odds we have beaten to reach this far cannot be attributed to luck, but rather, the call to our dreams and our deliberate choice to chase them to attainment. That is why I urge you to move forward knowing that you are in great hands and that you have it in you to achieve all that you set out to attain. 

Dear first years, 

As you complete your orientation into Egerton University and embark on a journey of academic empowerment, I, once again, want to welcome you to Egerton University and encourage you to live up to the name that you have created and that which you represent.

With those remarks, I wish you all the best during your stay at Egerton University. Congratulations on this success and the many that are to come.

God bless you all!

Invite the VC.

DELIVERED ON FRIDAY, 31^st JULY 2020 DURING THE 42^ND GRADUATION CEREMONY