Over 4000 JKUAT students graduate in virtual ceremony as universities face financial crisis

Principal Secretary University Education, Amb. Simon Nabukwesi, JKUAT Chancellor Prof. Joseph Mathu Ndungu and Vice-Chancellor Victoria Wambui Ngumi. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Over 4,000 students of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology yesterday graduated in a virtual ceremony. The 4,332 graduands at the 36th graduation ceremony were awarded 28 doctorates, and 316 master’s and 3,986 bachelor’s degrees. The virtual ceremony was transmitted from the university’s main campus graduation square in Juja, running under the theme: Refocusing Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Excellence in Higher Education in Era of Covid-19.

University Education and Research Principal Secretary Simon Nabukwesi, who was in attendance, commended the institution for ensuring uninterrupted learning through the online platform during the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the same time, Nabkhwesi said the financial crisis in universities needed innovativeness to address the effects caused by the pandemic. “While the government has remained steadfast in funding our institutions of higher learning, this has lately been complicated by the adverse effects of Covid-19 pandemic on various economic fronts.”

Momentous day

JKUAT Chancellor Mathu Ndungu congratulated the graduands on their momentous day. “I am urging the graduands to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to impact the society,” said Prof Ndungu.

Vice Chancellor Victoria Ngumi said it was the beginning of a new journey after many years of hard work, part of which were compounded by the pandemic.

“It is noteworthy that this is the first cohort to fulfill course requirements through blended learning which is the current norm in our educational institutions,” said Prof Ngumi. The VC commended the graduands for exhibiting hard work and determination to triumph over the challenges posed by the pandemic, noting that the institution had also upscaled online learning. 

“JKUAT has enhanced online teaching platforms through the integration of Learning Management Systems and conferencing software hosted by Kenya Education Network,” said the VC.