Catholic University Of Eastern Africa Graduation List, 938 students were conferred with degrees and awarded with diplomas and certificates in this May’s graduation. These were drawn from all the University campuses and constituent colleges.
The chief guest at the event was Dr. Fred Matiang’i the CS, Ministry of Education Science and Technology. The Chair of the University Council, Bishop Maurice Muhatia represented the Chancellor.
Dr. Matiang’i congratulated both the graduands and the teaching faculty on their achievement and said that the government was working at ensuring that ‘there is no real dichotomy between public and private universities to ensure that the playing field in higher education is level and facilitative to growth and development of the universities sector’.
This move comes with recent government policy that will allow private universities to admit government sponsored students. The CS also added that the ministry was making an effort to reduce regulatory fees charged by the Commission for University Education.
With the prevailing radicalization challenge, he urged the graduates not to give in to the temptations towards that. “Stand firm and use the knowledge and values you have acquired from CUEA, not to destroy but to build and transform the countries you come from.”
Dr. Matiangi said his Ministry has advised universities to teach peace education and education for peace. This includes aspects of conflict resolution and respect for diversity. He commended CUEA for having such programs as Regional Integration, Justice and peace among others which address emerging challenges in our society.
He further noted that there was need for more students to be enrolled in science and technology programs which can spur the nation’s progress towards being a middle income country by 2030 noting that only 22% of students are enrolled in science and technology programmes.
The CS urged the students to keep to the values learnt at CUEA as they engage in different facets of life… “Remain committed to the truth, rule of law and true democratic freedom”.
In his message read by the Chair of Council, the University Chancellor, Berhaneyesus Cardinal Souraphiel urged the graduands to remain firm in their faith as Pope Paul urged the youth in his visit to Kenya last year. “As CUEA graduates, I urge you to share in this spirit of our leaders and stand out as one family of God even as you embark on the enormous task of employment or further studies.”
The Chair of Council, Bishop Muhatia told the graduands that he had firm faith that while there is a notion that the current education offered in universities does not respond to the needs of society, that was not the case with CUEA. He pointed out that ‘CUEA, continues to hold on a sustained effort to produce graduates with exceptional skills and high moral integrity that are required for societal transformation’.
He urged the graduands to strive for social justice, equity, peace, development and to serve fellow human kind diligently.
The new University VC, Prof. Justus Mbae also congratulated the graduates and urged them to go out and make a difference in the world. He noted that CUEA was not just about academics but its students have succeeded in other endeavours such as international law moot court competitions and in sports with the rugby team being the nationwide champions this year.
The University carries out two graduation ceremonies in a year, one in May and the other in October. This was the 33rd Graduation ceremony for the university established in 1984.