SPEECH BY PROF. ISAAC O. KIBWAGE VICE-CHANCELLOR EGERTON UNIVERSITY DELIVERED ON FRIDAY, 27TH OCTOBER 2023 DURING THE 47TH GRADUATION CEREMONY

 Chancellor, Egerton University, Dr Narendra Raval (Guru)

The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, Hon. Ezekiel Machogu

The Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education & Research, Ministry of Education, Dr Beatrice Inyangala

Chairman, Egerton University Council, Amb. Dr Hukka Wario

Chairpersons of Councils of other Universities

Council Members, Egerton University

Vice-Chancellors of other Universities present

Deputy Vice-Chancellors

Members of the University Senate

Senior Government Officials, National and County

Members of Staff, The 47^th graduating Graduating Class, Parents and Guardians

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning and welcome to the 47^th Graduation Ceremony of Egerton University. It is a pleasure to stand before you on this momentous occasion as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our graduands. I extend my warmest greetings to our distinguished guests, esteemed faculty, dedicated staff, proud families, and, most importantly, the graduands.

Mr Chancellor Sir,

Today's ceremony holds a special significance for all of us. It marks a celebration of academic accomplishment and a symbol of resilience and hope. This is the first in-person graduation ceremony we have held since 2019, and it is an

honour to have you all gathered here. For those who could not be present with us in person, I'm delighted to announce that this graduation ceremony is being streamed live through our online platforms, ensuring that no one misses this moment.

Before I proceed further, I would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated staff and faculty members who have worked tirelessly to make this day possible.

Mr Chancellor Sir,

We gather here today to proudly celebrate the achievements of our graduands. A total of 3,947 graduands will be graduating today. We are conferring 32 PhDs, 118 Masters degrees, 3,629 Bachelor's degrees and awarding 168 Diplomas.

I salute each graduand for working diligently to reach this milestone, and today, we celebrate your dedication, hard work, and perseverance.

Graduation is a pivotal moment in the lives of our students, faculty, staff, Egerton University, and indeed, our country. It signifies the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. It is a day of joy and pride for families who have supported their loved ones on this

journey. It is also a day of fulfilment for our faculty and staff who have played a crucial role in nurturing the minds graduating today.

Moreover, it aligns perfectly with our University's mission, which is to generate knowledge and offer exemplary education and training to society for national and global development. Graduation is the realization of that mission, as we equip our graduates with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to contribute positively to society.

Mr Chancellor Sir,

Now, let's delve into some of the remarkable achievements and highlights of Egerton University over the past year.

Our commitment to academics, research and extension has remained unwavering. In the 2023/2024 academic year, we saw a significant increase in first-year student enrollment, with 4, 086 students joining our academic community. This growth reflects our dedication to providing quality education to an ever-expanding number of students.

One of the cornerstones of our University is research, and we are proud to report ongoing research projects totalling Ksh. 2.8 billion. These projects span various Faculties and Departments. Let's take a closer look at some of them:

1. Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa's Growth and Development (TagDev), funded by the MasterCard Foundation through the Regional University Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM). The Principal Investigator is Prof. Nancy W. Mungai.
2. USAID Empowered Youth Program (CoELIB Project) funded by USAID-Kenya. The Principal Investigator is Prof. Alexander Kahi.

3. Towards a Regenerative, Inclusive Food Systems in Eastern Africa (REFOOTURE) funded by the IKEA Foundation. The Principal Investigator is Prof. Bockline Bebe

4. Strengthening Agriprenuership and Community Engagement Training in East, West and North Africa. (AGRIENGAGE) funded by Erasmus + Programme of the European Union. The Principal Investigator is Prof. Patience Mshenga.

5. Establishing Capacity and Facilities at Egerton University in The Context of a Joint Delivery on International Masters in Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems funded by UNESCO- Institute for Water Education (IHE) and Austrian Development Agency (ADA). The Principal Investigator is Prof. Nzula Kitaka.

Furthermore, we are delighted to announce that we are preparing to host the Regional Research Centre for the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in Africa following a successful bid in 2022. In addition, with the support of our CS and PS the Government of Kenya has commited Ksh. 100 million per

year for the next five years to ensure realization  of the Regional Research Centre. The Regional Research Centre will encompass four high-tech laboratories and office spaces at the Physical Science Complex.

Mr Chancellor Sir,

Over the past year, our commitment to fostering collaborations and partnerships with other institutions has been remarkable. The University has signed over 20 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with various organizations and entities. We are in the final stages of formalizing an additional MoU with the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, which is geared towards further enhancing capacity-building initiatives for our youth.

Mr Chancellor Sir,

In recognition of our academic excellence, we were ranked fourth in Kenya and 76^th in Africa in the Webometric rankings. Additionally, our students showcased their talents at the Kenyan Universities Performing Arts and Film Association (KUPAA) National Music Festivals, winning awards in multiple categories.

Egerton University Students Association (EUSA) held a peaceful election, marking a significant step in student leadership. Subsequently, the student leaders underwent a comprehensive training programme to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to serve our student body effectively in consultation with the University Management.

In our endeavours to improve the financial health of the University, we embarked on the revamping of Income Generating Units (IGUs) some of which are showing promise. The tree nursery and Medical Centre, Funeral Home and the Egerton University press have experienced significant growth.

There is also improvement in the Catering Department and Tatton Farm, which underwent strategic interventions.

Mr Chancellor Sir,

To enhance the learning and living experiences for our students and staff, the University undertook the following infrastructure projects in the past year:

1. CCTVs have been strategically placed at the physical science complex and sections of the student hostels as part of our commitment to ensure a safe and secure environment on campus.
2. A new block of lecture rooms has been constructed at Kokeb, which is an integral part of our Nakuru City Campus. On the long run it will help us save on rental costs.

3. We understand the importance of providing our students with comfortable and conducive living spaces. In line with this, we have recently renovated two blocks of the Ruwenzori hostels.

Water Delivery Enhancement: Access to clean and reliable water is essential for the daily operations of our institution. Egerton University is a water deficient enveironment. We have invested in installing a new water tank with a capacity of one hundred thousand litres to ensure a steady water supply

Egerton University Alumni

Mr Chancellor Sir,

Our alumni continue to excel in various fields and contribute significantly to society, a testament to the quality education they received here.

Our alumni are a source of pride and inspiration for us. In June 2023, the Egerton University Alumni Association (EUAA) hosted a memorable Alumni Dinner that brought together alumni from different generations. The presence of two esteemed alumni marked the evening. Mr Sadru Nazarali from Toronto, Canada, and Ms Naseem Machooka, a pioneer female student, shared their experiences highlighting the enduring impact of an Egerton University education.

Mau-Egerton University Cross Country

Mr Chancellor Sir,

Our commitment to environmental conservation remains unwavering. This year we organized the 8^th Mau-Egerton University Cross Country. The event, normally dubbed "Run for the Mau", saw a record number of participants who came together to raise funds to restore the Mau Ecosystem and rehabilitate the Njoro River. In the weeks that followed the event, we collaborated with Principal Secretaries Ms Aurelia Rono and Ms Veronica Nduva, as well as former Principal Secretary Ms Esther Ngero, students, staff, and the surrounding community to plant and grow over 8,000 tree seedlings.

Notably, we had the honour of hosting the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, who led the launch of the Vice-Chancellor’s "Adopt a Forest" initiative to built campus with trees. This is also in support of the Presidential initiative to grow a 15-billion tree cover by 2030. It has garnered support from numerous partners such as the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Group, the National Defence University of Kenya, the Co-operative Bank, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).

More importantly our students through the “Egerton Green Action Club” participated in planting 15 thousand mangrove seedlings in Mombasa and 100 in Narok County.

Mr Chancellor Sir,

As our graduates step out into the world, they carry with them the knowledge and skills they have acquired and the values and principles instilled by Egerton University.

I would like to remind our graduates that you are now part of a vast and vibrant alumni network that spans the globe. You can make a positive impact not only in your respective fields but also in your communities and beyond.

I encourage you to continue seeking knowledge, challenging the status quo, and striving for excellence. Remember that education is a lifelong journey, and the pursuit of knowledge never ceases.

To our faculty and staff, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your dedication to the continual growth and success of Egerton University under difficult fiscal environment . Your commitment to nurturing young minds and advancing knowledge is truly commendable.

As we celebrate today, let us look forward to the future with hope and optimism. Together, we can overcome challenges, achieve greatness, and continue to make Egerton University a beacon of excellence.

Once again, congratulations to the graduates of the 47^th  Graduation Ceremony of Egerton University. May your journey be filled with success, fulfilment and the pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.

Thank you. God bless Egerton University and God bless Kenya.