Education Minister Prof. George Saitoti has called for sobriety during the lecturers' salaries negotiations.
Speaking during the 36th Nairobi university graduation ceremony, Saitoti asked the negotiating parties to respect each other saying democratic governance is only achievable through dialogue and consensus building.
The minister thanked University Academic staff Union for calling off the lecturers' strike adding that the government is committed to improving working conditions in Kenyan universities.
He called for dedication to ensure Kenyan graduates remain competitive in the global market.
Speaking during the same ceremony, Nairobi University Chancellor George Magoha asked for a developmental agenda that will create good environment that will attract the best scholars to the Kenyan universities.
He said there is need for more students to access higher education to ensure a strong resource base in the country.
Magoha said Nairobi university was ranked 21st best university in Africa this year up from 26th last year.
Meanwhile Kenyatta University has re-opened following the calling off of the lecturers' strike on Saturday.
The first batch of students to report back to campus were those in the school-based programme, while the rest are expected to resume in three weeks time.
The students expressed optimism that the talks between the government and lecturers set for Wednesday will resolve the matter.
The dons called off the strike following a meeting brokered by education assistant minister Kilemi Mwiria
