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Speech by Dr. Wilson K. Ronno Acting Chairman of Egerton University Council During the Occasion of the 45th Graduation Ceremony of Egerton University on Friday 29th July, 2022
Our Chief Guest, the Honourable Cabinet Secretary for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. George Magoha
The Ag. Chancellor, Egerton University, Dr. Hukka Wario
Principal Secretary, State Department for University Education and Research, Amb. Simon Nabukwesi
Members of Egerton University Council
Vice-Chancellor, Egerton University, Prof. Isaac Kibwage
Deputy Vice-Chancellors of Egerton University
Members of the Egerton University Senate, Deans of Faculties and Directors of Institutes Chairmen and Head of Departments
All members of staff
Graduands,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me and the University Council pleasure to welcome you to the 45th Graduation Ceremony of Egerton University – one of the leading Universities in the region.
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate our two thousand three hundred and twenty-two (2,322) graduands who, through persistence and determination, have successfully completed their academic journey with us. Moreover, I sincerely thank our academic, administrative, technical and support staff, the parents, guardians, sponsors and our donors for their support to the graduands and the University.
Cabinet Secretary,
Thank you for honouring us with your presence as you officiate this momentous occasion. This year’s graduation theme: “A University Education for Development”, underscores the fact that our graduands are prepared to contribute to the development of Kenya.
I commend the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Kibwage, for his leadership, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, and the entire University Management Board, University Senate, Egerton University Alumni Association and all staff and students for playing their role in contributing to the success of Egerton University.
I would also like to recognize our key partners, such as the County Government of Nakuru, the World Bank, the European Union, USAID – Kenya and the MasterCard Foundation, for their contributions to university education.
Graduands,
Looking back at your academic journey, it is a fact that it had plenty of disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic, student strike, academic staff disruption and closure of the University. Yet, despite the setbacks, you persevered until you reached this day.
In every graduation ceremony, we allow the best overall student to make the valedictory address.
At this 45th Graduation Ceremony, the opportunity will go to Mr Sylvester Bathi from the Faculty of Environment and Resources Development. Mr Bathi hails from Marsabit County. Congratulations for this achievement. You are welcome to Egerton University, as an Alumni, in case you want to further your studies.
There are seventeen (17) Doctorate students among those graduating today. The graduands are from various faculties, these are Agriculture; Education and Community Studies; Engineering and Technology; Environment and Resources Development; and the Faculty of Science.
Together with support and mentorship from their professors, these students successfully completed their theses in good time. However, I would like to implore the graduands to publish and disseminate their research findings to the community through research forums and conferences. This is the only way your research can have an impact. The more you communicate your research, the more you increase your work’s visibility.
The University Council under my leadership has done tremendous efforts to hold the University together, although under difficult circumstances, of low funding that lead to industrial strike by Lecturers. I commend the lecturers for giving students teaching a priority and now they have completed the academic year.
I also commend students for avoiding strikes; which are very disruptive and delays your completion rates.
I also As Council we shall continue to engage the National Treasury for more funding to meet our obligation including paying staff 100% of their salary.
I also urge the UMB to prudently manage the available resources to enable University meet its financial obligations.
As I conclude, I quote Nelson Mandela from his book, Long Walk to Freedom: “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farmworkers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
Congratulations, and thank you.
Tweets by the Ag. Chairman of Council Dr Wilson K. Ronno on the occasion of the 45th Graduation, Egerton University on 29th July 2022
#45thEgertonGraduation
It gives me and the University Council pleasure to welcome you to the 45th Graduation Ceremony of Egerton University – one of the leading universities in the region.
Dr Wilson K. Ronno
#45thEgertonGraduation
I commend the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Kibwage, for his leadership, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, and the entire University Management Board, University Senate, Egerton University Alumni Association and all staff and students for playing their role in contributing to the success of Egerton University.
Dr Wilson K. Ronno
#45thEgertonGraduation
I would also like to recognize our key partners, such as the @NakuruCountyGov, the @WorldBankKenya, the European Union, @USAIDKenya and @MastercardFdn, for their contributions to university education.
Dr Wilson K. Ronno
#45thEgertonGraduation
Your academic journey has had plenty of disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic, student strike, academic staff disruption and closure of the University. Yet, despite the setbacks, you persevered until you reached this day.
Dr Wilson K. Ronno
45thEgertonGraduation
In every graduation ceremony, we allow the best overall student to make the valedictory address. Today the opportunity the opportunity will go to Mr Sylvester Bathi from the Faculty of Environment and Resources Development.
Dr Wilson K. Ronno
#45thEgertonGraduation
Congratulations for this achievement. You are welcome to Egerton University, as an Alumni, in case you want to further your studies.
Dr Wilson K. Ronno
#45thEgertonGraduation
I would like to appeal to the 17 Doctorate students graduating today to disseminate their research findings to the community. The more you communicate your research, the more you increase your work’s visibility.
Dr Wilson K. Ronno
#45thEgertonGraduation
The University Council has done tremendous efforts to hold the University together, although under difficult circumstances, of low funding that lead to industrial strike by lecturers.
Dr Wilson K. Ronno
#45thEgertonGraduation
We shall continue to engage the National Treasury through our parent Ministry for more funding to meet our obligation including paying staff 100% of their salary.
Dr Wilson K. Ronno
#45thEgertonGraduation
I also urge the UMB to prudently manage the available resources to enable University meet its financial obligations.
Dr Wilson K. Ronno
#45thEgertonGraduation
As I conclude, I quote Nelson Mandela from his book, Long Walk to Freedom: “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farmworkers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
Congratulations, and thank you.
Dr Wilson K. Ronno
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