It gives me great pleasure to preside over the 18th Graduation
ceremony of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
This is another auspicious occasion when the University celebrates the
academic achievements of young scholars and professionals who are
graduating to-day. I wish to congratulate the graduands on their
individual achievements which have culminated into to-day’s ceremony.
I also note with appreciation the role played by parents, guardians
and mentors whose great contribution has made what we are celebrating
to-day a reality.
As an academic and a long time university administrator, it gives me a
lot of intellectual fulfillment to witness the graduation of young
academicians, as they represent the future of the world of
scholarship. I note with satisfaction, that the University has over
the years maintained a growing number of graduands in various
disciplines. And in this connection, we are witnessing the first batch
of graduands in the Bachelor of Science in Mining and Mineral
Processing and in the Bachelor of Laws, this year.
PAU: Concept and JKUAT’s role
I am pleased to note that Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and
Technology (JKUAT) is going to host Pan African University Institute
of Science, Technology and Innovation (PAUISTI) Regional Institute.
Pan African University shall award degrees jointly with the host
Universities. It is envisaged that the institute at JKUAT will admit
the first lot of students in September this year. This will contribute
towards the African Union Commission’s target of increasing university
enrollment from the current 2-3% to 12% against the global average of
27%.
Accelerated Intake
Over the years, there has been a large backlog of KCSE students
awaiting university admission for one and a half years to sometimes
two years. In order to address this challenge, the Government has
asked the public universities to undertake an accelerated intake to
clear the existing backlog. As a result, each public university has
been allocated an additional number of students for admission. JKUAT
was allocated 1481 in addition to 1301 already admitted in the
2011/2012 Academic Year. This will represent the largest number of
Government sponsored students for admission into our University.
The accelerated intake is in anticipation of a large admission in
2015, when it is expected that the first batch of the 2003’s Free
Primary Education students will be eligible for University admission.
Given that this will further stretch the current institutional
resources, I would urge the Government to allocate commensurate
capitation to ensure that the quality of programmes is not
compromised.
Research
Universities in developed countries have become engines of innovation,
pumping out new ideas that can be translated into innovations in
industries. With the emergence of the knowledge based economy, the
universities and research institutions have played an important role
in the supply of both knowledge and trained human resource. They have
also become initiators of entrepreneurship ventures, which after
incubation are passed on to the industrial entrepreneurs in return for
financial gain to the institution. In our case in Kenya, universities
and research institutes need to adopt corporate governance and in
addition encourage linkages with industries through structured
participation of industry in the governance of universities and
research institutes.
The need for adequate research funding in public universities cannot
therefore be over emphasized. It is however noted that the current
level of funding is inadequate for the research needs of the
university. While the University continues to fund local research, it
also encourages JKUAT researchers to vie for external funding from
both local and international sources. Besides attracting external
funding, the University continues to encourage collaborations with
international institutions.
The University is in the process of establishing a modern
nanotechnology laboratory, one of its kind in the region. This
laboratory will be used for the development of nano structured smart
delivery systems for administration of fertilizers, pesticides and
fungicides, thus enhancing food security.
Engineering and Technology
As a university of technology, JKUAT is committed to the adoption of
appropriate technologies. In this area, we have many opportunities
which we can exploit to assist this nation in its efforts towards
industrialization. We need to be able to convert our raw natural
resources into finished and sellable products locally and
internationally. One such area is in the mining and exploitation of
our mineral resources. Towards this end the University has developed a
curriculum for training engineers in the area of mining and mineral
processing as has been mentioned earlier. In the development of this
and other programmes, JKUAT has involved relevant stakeholders to
ensure that her courses are of high quality and are market oriented.
Thika Road Project
One of the most significant projects in Kenya to-day is the
construction of the Nairobi-Thika super highway. This infrastructure
will contribute greatly to the economy of this country by easing
traffic flow and transforming lives of Kenyans. We in this University,
as stakeholders, would have wished to see our experts involved in this
project for capacity building. We hope that in future JKUAT
professionals will be able to make their input in projects of this
nature and magnitude.
Conclusion
As I conclude my address, I wish to quote from a book on “The poverty
of mind” to give a parting shot to those graduating to-day, and I
quote ‘the development and practice of subliminal advertising is
rooted in Freudian thinking that human beings are simple creatures
controlled in their behaviour by sub-conscious drives and instincts
that the conscious mind has no control over’ and it goes on to say
that ‘I appeal to your natural senses to take a look at nature, admire
it, be awed by it and protect it….You do not need to believe in the
art and perhaps the science of subliminal seduction and psychological
manipulation, but at least, let it stimulate your thinking and the way
you look at the world and indeed life.’ end of quote.
And finally, let me once again congratulate the graduands for this
wonderful achievement. It is my hope that you will for ever remain
obliged to JKUAT, your alma mater. I also congratulate the parents and
guardians for seeing you through your academic journey. It is indeed a
fact that only a very small percentage of the youth in this country
have had the opportunity to attain your level of training. It is
therefore with great pleasure that I welcome you to join other Kenyans
in building a prosperous nation premised on justice and peace.
And with those few remarks, ladies and gentlemen, let me now thank the
University management and staff for the excellent effort they have put
towards mounting the two days graduation event.
No comments:
Post a Comment