Thousands of students from the Mount Kenya University (MKU) who have completed their tertiary education and graduated but have had their certificates withheld due to outstanding school fees arrears can now sigh with relief after the largest private varsity in East and Central Africa waived the fee balances amounting to Sh82milion.
MKU founder and chairman Simon Gicharu made the announcement today during the 25th graduation ceremony held at Thika Main Campus.
Gicharu directed that the waiver applies to all past students who have not collected their certificates.
“Allow me to look back at our previous graduands who were unable to collect their Certificate due to varied reasons, the main one being, non-completion of fees at the graduation time. Today, Mr. Chancellor Sir, I direct the University to release the Certificates unconditionally to all those affected by fee balance. Any collections from those accounts in case the beneficiaries after securing jobs feel indebted to clear the fees should go in support of Chancellor’s Scholarship.” Gicharu noted.
However, he said, the beneficiaries who are, at a later stage after securing a job able to pay what has been waived for them, the can do so and whatever is collected will go to Chancellor’s Scholarship Programme and not the university.
Today’s event which was graced by Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education Dr. Beatrice Inyangala who was the chief guest saw a total of 7,792 graduands conferred.
On her part, Inyangala lauded MKU’s for its commitment and investment in innovation and research.
“I am happy and indeed honored to be here this morning joining the Mount Kenya University fraternity on this very significant occasion of the 25th graduation ceremony. I bring warm greetings from the Ministry of Education, State Department for Higher Education and Research, to you all.” Inyangala noted.
Mount Kenya University (MKU) graduands follow proceedings during the MKU 25th graduation ceremony held at MKU Thika Main Campus, August 2, 2024.
She also expressed contentment by the university in supplementing government’s efforts to increase access to affordable, relevant and quality education.
“I recognise in a very special way the incredible journey taken by Mount Kenya University over the last 25 years. In total determination to supplement the government’s efforts to increase access to affordable, relevant and quality university education, Mount Kenya University chose the path less travelled.” The PS added.
Inyangala noted that the government is working closely with a wide spectrum of stakeholders in the research, science, technology and innovation ecosystem to catalyse progress towards attainment of the targets set out in the president William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) pillar.
She cited healthcare; agriculture; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), ousing and settlement and, the Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy as key government priority pillars.
“Indeed, Mount Kenya University is a key pillar and a model in the Kenyan Research, Sciences, Technology and Innovation ecosystem.” The PS remarked.
She re-affirmed the ministry’s commitment to support research, science and innovation.
“We shall dedicate resources to research, as well as support our universities in creating partnerships to scale up innovation and commercialise the same.” Inyangala noted.
Further, on his part, Gicharu added that MKU in collaboration with Esports Kenya Federation will establish an e-sports training centre at the newly-refurbished students centre to enable students and lovers of e-sport with skills that will enable them generate an income and even make a career out of it.
