Over 6,000 (3,192 males, 2955 females) graduands received certificates, diplomas and degrees in various disciplines during Mount Kenya University’s (MKU)  graduation ceremony held in Thika,  Kenya over the weekend.

Held under the Theme, "The role of the 21st century graduate in catalysing job creation,” the ceremony attracted various people from different parts of the world, among them 435 graduates from MKU’s Kigali, Rwanda, campus.

Addressing the gathering, Kenya’s cabinet secretary in the ministry of water and irrigation, Eugene Wamalwa, challenged students to focus on innovation.

"Innovation plays a big role in growth and development of the economy. It also contributes to the growth of ICT and promotes value addition for industrial growth,” Wamalwa said.

Wamalwa, who also committed to continuous support for education investments, advised students to focus on handwork to deliver change within the society.

Professor Victoria Wells Wulsin, the university chancellory, commended the university’s efforts in forging partnerships as a vital route for sustaining development.

"As we transit to the Sustainable Development Goals, partnerships are crucial, and for that, MKU has done a good job to partner with institutions allover the world. These partnerships will translate into commerce,” Prof Wulsin said.

Professor Grace Njoroge, the chairperson of the university council, noted that plans to develop infrastructure within the institution are underway.

"I congratulate the graduates for the great work, but it wouldn’t have come without support from spouses and parents. Our staff have also done a great job, and while we focus on research, there will be necessary restructuring to further ensure satisfactory growth,” she said.

Simon Gicharu, the founder of the university, advised students to uphold the value of integrity.

"When you become dishonest, you work against both the institution  and yourself. MKU was established not because of money but because of commitment and integrity. In any business, therefore, selfish interests should be dumped,” Gicharu said.

Gicharu added that the institution will work towards scaling up information communication technology (ICT), adding that more institutions will be launched next year.

"Next year, 5 per cent of our total budget will support ICT development, and by around April, the Kagarama Campus in Rwanda will be ready. Also mid next year, other campuses in Kenya will be operational,” he added.

The highlight of the ceremony was that more females graduated within the health disciplines. The school of pharmacy had 16 females and 14 males; school of nursing - 19 females and 14 males; school of clinical medicine 102 females and 75 males; school of public health 91 females, 84 males; while school of health sciences had 132 females and 122 males.