Juja, Kenya: On Friday, 29 June 2018, Juja, Kenya, the Pan African University, Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI) organized the graduation ceremony of its 3rd batch of Master of Science and first batch of PhD students together with the 31st Graduation Ceremony (Award of diplomas) of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology at the Graduation Square, Main Campus, Juja.

PAUSTI is one of the five hubs of the Pan African University distributed all over the continent and including: PAULESI in Ibadan, Nigeria, PAUGHSS in Yaounde, Cameroon, PAUWES in Tlemcen, Algeria and PAUSS in South Africa.
Highlighted by the presence of Prof. Kassa Belay, PAU Ag. Rector, PAU officials and staff, Government officials, including the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Directors of PAU institutes, this ceremony was also attended by PAUSTI staff, graduates and guests.
In the course of this solemn but also entertaining ceremony, several addresses were delivered.

Taking part in the African Union General Assembly organized in Nouakchott, Mauritania, the Commissioner in charge of Human Resources, Science and Technology, H.E. Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, could not attend PAUSTI graduation ceremony. However, she prepared a message to PAUSTI graduates, which was shared through the booklets published for the occasion.

In her message, Prof. Anyang congratulated the graduates on successfully completing their studies. Appreciating the quality of training programmes at PAUSTI just like in other PAU institutes, she said she was expecting the graduates, even more than their predecessors, “to go forth and make meaningful contribution to the attainment of Africa’s aspirations as encapsulated in Agenda 2063.” She further advised them to “embrace the virtues of integrity, excellence, and unyielding faith in the prospects of a better Africa”.

To PhD. students, she advised to “remember our Pan African values of integrity, honesty, hardworking and peace” and “recommended them to be ambassadors of this great continent”. Emphasizing that Education is what you know and not what is in the book, she concluded by thanking all the stakeholders committed to PAUSTI.

The President of PAU Council Prof. Nzinzi Pierre Dominique addressed a key message to the graduates. It is worth recalling that by Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.675 (XXX) he was elected as President of PAU Council for a three-year mandate. His presence at PAUSTI graduation ceremony is therefore his first official activity as the President of PAU Council. He started his address by congratulating the graduates and their supervisors. He further said that degrees will open new doors to the graduates, and referring to Darwinism, he explained them that being trained in Africa was a significant advantage for them because they benefitted from the knowledge of natural and cultural environment. Thus, as African made products, the graduates will be able to produce local or home-made science. He also advised them to keep the passion that will make them competitive in Africa and beyond.

The next speech was delivered by Prof. Paul Njuki Kanyari, Chairman of Council of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He welcomed the congregation to the 31st Graduation Ceremony for JKUAT and the 3rd for Pan African University Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI). He further reviewed all the major progress and projects carried out in terms of infrastructural development at JKUAT University, including the construction of PAUSTI Building Complex which is nearing completion. He said this facility will provide adequate infrastructure for the Institute’s programmes. He concluded by calling on graduated to always remember to be graduates remember to always be shining ambassadors of their alma mater.

The Vice Chancellor of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Prof. Mabel Imbuga, also delivered a speech in which she summarized the statistics of JKUAT and PAUSTI graduates, which are as follows: from JKUAT, 3129 graduates of which 91 are PhDs, 802 Masters and 2236 Bachelor’s Degrees and Diploma, while, PAUSTI is conferring 14 PhDs and 32 Masters Degrees to graduates drawn from 19 African countries.

Just like the chairman of Council, she made a detailed review of the major achievements at JKUAT. She added that just like the AUC, JKUAT is pledging continued support to integration of Africa through Higher Education and Research. As an illustration, she cited the hosting of various continental institutions at JKUAT including PAUSTI. She concluded by calling on graduates to create positive impact in society and congratulated them.

In his address, Prof. Geoffrey Moriaso Ole Maloiy, Chancellor of the Jomo Kenya University of Agriculture and Technology welcomed the congregation and reviewed the statistics of graduates per nationalities. He encouraged the graduates to to move with courage and dignity. Quoting the American Writer (Mark Twain) he further stated, “The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be captive of the environment in which you first find yourself”. He concluded by congratulating graduates and expressed thanks to the Government of Kenya, AUC, donors, JICA, alumni, parents and guardians. He closed his speech by another quotation by Robert Greene “The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways”.

The second major event of this ceremony was the award of diplomas and conferring of degrees to graduates by the Chancellor. Statistics are as follows: Master’s programmes registered 32 graduates including 28 male and 4 female students, while PhD. programmes registered 14 graduates out of which there are 10 male and 4 female students. Graduates are from 19 nationalities including: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Statistics for JKUAT University are as follows: 3163 graduates out which 1767 male and 1396 female students.

For further information please contact:
Chancelle Bilampassi Moutsatsi
E-mail: BilampassiC@africa-union.org

Further media inquiries should be directed to:
Mrs Wynne Musabayana | Deputy Head of Communication and Information Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int | Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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