UHURU'S FULL SPEECH AT KIBABII UNIVERSITY GRADUATION CEREMONY
SPEECH by His Excellency Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces DURING THE KIBABII UNIVERSITY GRADUATION CEREMONY IN BUNGOMA COUNTY
DATE: 22ND NOVEMBER, 2019
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education and Other Cabinet Secretaries present,
Principal Secretary, State Department for University Education and Research and Other Principal Secretaries present,
Governors Present,
The Kibabii University Council,
Vice Chancellor, Kibabii University and Other Vice Chancellors present,
Graduands,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to join you today to preside over the 4th Graduation Ceremony of Kibabii University.
We are here to celebrate the academic achievement by these young men and women, who have dedicated themselves, their energies and their time, to transform their lives and their future.
We know quite well, you have had to deny yourselves some of the luxurious activities that are tempting at the youthful age. But your sacrifice paid off.
I, therefore, congratulate you, the graduands, for this achievement. You have proven that your four years of academic investment in this University, were not in vain. Hongera Sana, Pongezi. Well done!
I would also wish to appreciate all the parents, guardians, sponsors, the professors and lecturers of this institution as well as the entire team of administration who have made tremendous sacrifice, in order to see you through your University education. You know also i salute you for the nurturing and support that you have given your students.
Indeed as a nation, we have made significant strides in uplifting our standard of living. We have endeavoured to improve access to clean water, electricity connection, built tarmacked roads, just to mention but a few examples. But however, we still have challenges to contend with, the largest being the unemployment problem amongst our young people.
To deal with these challenges, we have adopted a comprehensive socio-economic development Blueprint, referred to our Vision 2030, and as part of this Blueprint, we are currently focusing on four key areas comprising of food security and nutrition, affordable housing, promotion of manufacturing as the key driver for job creation, as well as universal healthcare.
These are, indeed, transformative pillars; but to achieve them, we need men and women with the requisite knowledge and skills; and also men and women who are ready to think differently.
I have no doubt that the young men and women who are graduating today from have been equipped with the requisite knowledge, skills, competencies and set of values that are required to contribute to our nation's development.
What progressive education, like the kind you have received here at Kibabii University does, it can help transform our thinking so that we can fully exploit the economic potential of our Nation.
I am, therefore, pleased to be here presiding over your graduation because, I know that you have received an education that will serve the kind of transformation this country is currently undertaking; and cultivate ideas that this country needs, in line with global as well technological advancements.
We need new ideas ladies and gentlemen, if we are to walk this journey successfully. Indeed as a distinguished scholar once said, we can’t solve problems using the same thinking that created those problems.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Higher education is a key factor in a nation’s effort to develop a highly skilled workforce, with new thinking orientation that positions it to compete in the global economy.
In a developing nation like ours, an effective formal higher education system is essential for national development. And it is in appreciation of this fact that the demand for higher education in Kenya, has increased in the past few decades.
To meet this demand, my Administration has increased investment in institutions of higher learning and research, with the aim of fostering growth of the Kenyan economy.
However, there are still major skill shortages in many sectors critical to our country’s economic prosperity. And this calls for a deeper re-examination and as well reforms in our entire education system, including our Universities as was mentioned by the Minister.
To survive in the 21st Century, we must come up with a robust educational curricula that is designed to equip and enable the learners to develop and own intellectual capacities, relevant to the world today.
And this is why we have embarked on broad sector-wide reforms, meant to streamline the operations of the local universities’ sector.
Indeed today I urge all universities to cooperate with the Ministry of Education, in undertaking these reforms so as to ensure the institutions are able to produce high quality graduates and better research outputs.
All universities are therefore required to comply with the higher standards of training that have been set by the Ministry through the Commission for University Education.
Universities must also audit themselves to ensure that they get rid of the rampant duplication of degree programmes as well as rationalize their staffing levels and satellite campuses and also to professionalize their financial management structures, and incorporate good corporate governance principles, in the management of their operations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Universities must take their place in the ongoing efforts to steady our economic development.
I, therefore, urge all universities to double their investment in research and innovation that provide practical solutions to our economic as well as our social challenges and, at the same time informing our policy discourse.
Indeed there is no doubt, that the implementation of my Government’s “Big Four” Agenda will accelerate and sustain inclusive growth, create opportunities for productive jobs, reduce poverty and income inequality and provide a better future for all Kenyans.
These intentions can only be successfully achieved if the planned programmes are implemented in good time guided by the principles of efficiency, effective and good governance.
Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, I reiterate again my Government’s commitment to quality education. And in this regard, I call upon all stakeholders to be fully committed to development of our young people as we roll out the Competency Based Curriculum.
I ask our Universities and other Institutions of Higher Learning as well as our Middle Level Colleges, to take the lead in the transforming of our young people.
The Government will continue to offer an enabling policy environment and at the same time continue to support infrastructural growth and academic staff development in our education institutions, in order to ensure that our young people succeed in life. This we commit because we appreciate this fact, the future of Kenya lies on the success of our young people.
For you, our graduands today, I encourage you to apply the wealth of knowledge that you have acquired, to make a positive impact in our motherland and indeed the world
This world that you are about to join values virtues as manifested through courage, resilience, truthfulness, honour and justice. And you must aim at being excellent in whatever you do.
I challenge you today to portray the right attitude as you move to the world. I challenge you today to dare the status quo in academia, entrepreneurship and even in politics. My rallying call to you, at all times is please conduct yourselves with the highest standards of moral and ethical grounding.
Once again I say congratulations and wish each and everyone of you God's blessings and every success as you embark on your future lives.
God Bless You All and God Bless Kenya.
Asanteni.
…….0000000…….0000000…….
DATE: 22ND NOVEMBER, 2019
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education and Other Cabinet Secretaries present,
Principal Secretary, State Department for University Education and Research and Other Principal Secretaries present,
Governors Present,
The Kibabii University Council,
Vice Chancellor, Kibabii University and Other Vice Chancellors present,
Graduands,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to join you today to preside over the 4th Graduation Ceremony of Kibabii University.
We are here to celebrate the academic achievement by these young men and women, who have dedicated themselves, their energies and their time, to transform their lives and their future.
We know quite well, you have had to deny yourselves some of the luxurious activities that are tempting at the youthful age. But your sacrifice paid off.
I, therefore, congratulate you, the graduands, for this achievement. You have proven that your four years of academic investment in this University, were not in vain. Hongera Sana, Pongezi. Well done!
I would also wish to appreciate all the parents, guardians, sponsors, the professors and lecturers of this institution as well as the entire team of administration who have made tremendous sacrifice, in order to see you through your University education. You know also i salute you for the nurturing and support that you have given your students.
Indeed as a nation, we have made significant strides in uplifting our standard of living. We have endeavoured to improve access to clean water, electricity connection, built tarmacked roads, just to mention but a few examples. But however, we still have challenges to contend with, the largest being the unemployment problem amongst our young people.
To deal with these challenges, we have adopted a comprehensive socio-economic development Blueprint, referred to our Vision 2030, and as part of this Blueprint, we are currently focusing on four key areas comprising of food security and nutrition, affordable housing, promotion of manufacturing as the key driver for job creation, as well as universal healthcare.
These are, indeed, transformative pillars; but to achieve them, we need men and women with the requisite knowledge and skills; and also men and women who are ready to think differently.
I have no doubt that the young men and women who are graduating today from have been equipped with the requisite knowledge, skills, competencies and set of values that are required to contribute to our nation's development.
What progressive education, like the kind you have received here at Kibabii University does, it can help transform our thinking so that we can fully exploit the economic potential of our Nation.
I am, therefore, pleased to be here presiding over your graduation because, I know that you have received an education that will serve the kind of transformation this country is currently undertaking; and cultivate ideas that this country needs, in line with global as well technological advancements.
We need new ideas ladies and gentlemen, if we are to walk this journey successfully. Indeed as a distinguished scholar once said, we can’t solve problems using the same thinking that created those problems.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Higher education is a key factor in a nation’s effort to develop a highly skilled workforce, with new thinking orientation that positions it to compete in the global economy.
In a developing nation like ours, an effective formal higher education system is essential for national development. And it is in appreciation of this fact that the demand for higher education in Kenya, has increased in the past few decades.
To meet this demand, my Administration has increased investment in institutions of higher learning and research, with the aim of fostering growth of the Kenyan economy.
However, there are still major skill shortages in many sectors critical to our country’s economic prosperity. And this calls for a deeper re-examination and as well reforms in our entire education system, including our Universities as was mentioned by the Minister.
To survive in the 21st Century, we must come up with a robust educational curricula that is designed to equip and enable the learners to develop and own intellectual capacities, relevant to the world today.
And this is why we have embarked on broad sector-wide reforms, meant to streamline the operations of the local universities’ sector.
Indeed today I urge all universities to cooperate with the Ministry of Education, in undertaking these reforms so as to ensure the institutions are able to produce high quality graduates and better research outputs.
All universities are therefore required to comply with the higher standards of training that have been set by the Ministry through the Commission for University Education.
Universities must also audit themselves to ensure that they get rid of the rampant duplication of degree programmes as well as rationalize their staffing levels and satellite campuses and also to professionalize their financial management structures, and incorporate good corporate governance principles, in the management of their operations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Universities must take their place in the ongoing efforts to steady our economic development.
I, therefore, urge all universities to double their investment in research and innovation that provide practical solutions to our economic as well as our social challenges and, at the same time informing our policy discourse.
Indeed there is no doubt, that the implementation of my Government’s “Big Four” Agenda will accelerate and sustain inclusive growth, create opportunities for productive jobs, reduce poverty and income inequality and provide a better future for all Kenyans.
These intentions can only be successfully achieved if the planned programmes are implemented in good time guided by the principles of efficiency, effective and good governance.
Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, I reiterate again my Government’s commitment to quality education. And in this regard, I call upon all stakeholders to be fully committed to development of our young people as we roll out the Competency Based Curriculum.
I ask our Universities and other Institutions of Higher Learning as well as our Middle Level Colleges, to take the lead in the transforming of our young people.
The Government will continue to offer an enabling policy environment and at the same time continue to support infrastructural growth and academic staff development in our education institutions, in order to ensure that our young people succeed in life. This we commit because we appreciate this fact, the future of Kenya lies on the success of our young people.
For you, our graduands today, I encourage you to apply the wealth of knowledge that you have acquired, to make a positive impact in our motherland and indeed the world
This world that you are about to join values virtues as manifested through courage, resilience, truthfulness, honour and justice. And you must aim at being excellent in whatever you do.
I challenge you today to portray the right attitude as you move to the world. I challenge you today to dare the status quo in academia, entrepreneurship and even in politics. My rallying call to you, at all times is please conduct yourselves with the highest standards of moral and ethical grounding.
Once again I say congratulations and wish each and everyone of you God's blessings and every success as you embark on your future lives.
God Bless You All and God Bless Kenya.
Asanteni.
…….0000000…….0000000…….
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