Mount Kenya University has announced a Ksh 80 million waiver on outstanding student levies.
Speaking during the institution’s 23rd graduation ceremony at Happy Valley Grounds, Thika, Prof. Simon Gicharu said the waiver applies to all past students who have not collected their graduation certificates.
“The issue of uncollected certificates was worsened by the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Prof. Gicharu. “Over 4,000 past students have accumulated storage fees, library arrears, and late return of graduation gowns. In total, the levies amount to about Ksh 80 million.”
He added: “True to the university motto Unlocking Infinite Possibilities, we don’t want to be the hinderance towards unlocking the infinite possibilities for you. Therefore, we are extending this waiver and all past students can now come and collect their academic certificates.”
Over 6,000 students from 12 different countries were conferred Degrees and awarded Diplomas. Among them were 15 PhDs, 349 Masters, and 3,618 Bachelors Degree recipients.
National Assembly Speaker Dr. Moses Wetangula was the chief guest, in his address called for the adoption of multi-faceted strategies by governments to address the issue of climate change.
“The rise in research on ‘greenhouse’ effects/ climate change mitigation is a vital input by universities and research organisations for bridging the glaring policy gaps in environmental education, consumer behaviour, rewarding and sanctions systems, legislation and government/ organizational support in climate change mitigation,” he added.
Dr Wetangula also encouraged Kenyans to support the Government of Kenya’s initiative to plant 15 billion trees by year 2032.
During the ceremony, the new chairman of MKU Council Prof. Agong’ Stephen Gaya was unveiled.
On the climate change, Prof. Gicharu asked the graduands to be innovative and come up with interventions that will translate into jobs.
He said MKU will embrace the proposals by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform in order to increase productivity in research and innovation, improve international ranking, and strengthen linkages.
“From where we sit, we see these university reforms as a challenge for universities to do what they are supposed to do both in academics and community outreach. The Board will support the university management to fully embrace and implement the reforms,” Prof. Gicharu added.
