A record 2,851 graduands were conferred degrees and awarded diplomas by the Chancellor, Dr. Vijoo Rattansi at the 63rd Graduation Ceremony on September 25, 2020 held at the Great Court.
The graduates who followed the ceremony virtually consisted of 54 Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awards (PhDs), 370 Master Degree Awards, 15 Postgraduate Diploma Awards, 2045 Bachelor Degree Awards and 367 Diploma Awards.
Due to COVID- 19 protocols, the ceremony was held virtually where graduates followed the ceremony online via the UoN website, Facebook and YouTube Channel. The event was also aired live on KTN Home and Switch TV’s Facebook page. The graduates also had an opportunity to interact on Microsoft Teams platform. Recordings of the deans and directors calling out the names of the graduates were pre-recorded and played at the ceremony.
The Chancellor, Dr. Vijoo Rattansi in her remarks said that this was a historical moment as the first virtual graduation of the University of Nairobi. The Chancellor noted that in recent times, COVID-19 pandemic has become the single greatest agent of change that has changed the way we work, socialize, worship, celebrate life and loss, teaching and how we travel.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Prof. George Magoha challenged the University to continue working towards attaining the gold standard status. He noted that the strategy is to ensure the UoN is the gold standard and always purpose to be the top 10 in Africa.
“I take it as great honor to be invited here. I have given 32 years of my life to this institution. I am very proud to be associated with this university and I always wear my badge.” he added.
In her speech, the Chair of Council, Prof. Julia Ojiambo made an appeal to the university community to support the interventions by the management to transform the institution.
She said that the march towards attainment of a world class university status continues and undoubtedly, this process will from time to time and will require that the university community change the way things are done.
While delivering his first speech at a graduation ceremony as Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, reflected the 5 point reform agenda.
“We have started implementing the reform agenda which is consistent with our vision for a vibrant and sustainable university,” he revealed. “We want a University benefiting society; a University providing highest quality learning and teaching for students; a University leading in research and innovation and a University with high concentration of talent: attracting, growing, supporting and recognizing talent among students and staff. The University needs to be sustainable financially in order to be impactful. Like other public Universities, we are currently experiencing acute budgetary deficits and cash flow challenges due to low capitation.” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the Alumni Association, the Chairman, Mr. Isaac Awuondo invited the graduating class of 2020 to join the association and give back to their alma mater.
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