Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) held a successful joint graduation ceremony, Friday, November 29, 2024 at the institution’s Juja main campus with representations from the Education Ministry and the African Union Commission.
The twin ceremony, running under the theme: Promoting research and innovation for sustainable development, marked the 43rd and 11th convocation for JKUAT and the African Union-backed Pan-African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI), respectively.
A total of 3863 candidates were awarded certificates and diplomas, and conferred various degrees of JKUAT/PAUSTI.
The graduands were distributed as follows: 305 certificate and diplomas, 3002 Bachelors degrees, 124 Postgraduate diplomas, 386 Masters and 46 PhDs, constituting 2084 males and 1779 females, out of which, PAUSTI had 12 Masters and 10 PhD graduands drawn from 14 African countries.
Speaking to the congregation while presiding over the graduation, the JKUAT Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Mathu Ndung’u said, the convocation was a “testament to the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and societal transformation” and represented a culmination of tireless efforts by the graduands, faculty and parents, guardians and sponsors.
He noted that the graduates in the areas of agriculture, engineering, health, social, pure and applied sciences were uniquely positioned to drive innovation and make significant impact in society.
During the occasion also attended by the Education Cabinet Secretary represented by Dr. Caro Hunja, Prof. Mathu Ndung’u further said, as an institution of higher learning, JKUAT bears a profound responsibility to provide innovative solutions.
“Our researchers are renowned for their cutting-edge research in various disciplines, while the University leverages scientific publications, conferences and exhibitions to disseminate research outputs, he said, while enumerating outstanding achievements by the institution in 2024 including at the national exhibitions and the ASK organized shows.
“During the JKUAT Tech Expo, our students demonstrated their creativity and passion through exceptional innovations, singling out the Swahili Programming Language, an innovation aimed at empowering developers to create software solutions in our national language.
The Chancellor was elated to acknowledge the excellence posted by students who made the university proud: Abiel Misiocha and Ryan Malawa from the School of Computing and Information Technology and Timothy Ndiritu from the School of Business, won the 2024 Inter-University A.I. Hackathon. Their innovative project, “Listening Ear” is designed to help the deaf stay informed and connected to their surroundings through visual cues and vibrational feedback.
Prof. Ndung’u also celebrated teams from the School of Computing and Information Technology, whose projects were selected for up-scaling by industry during the Kenya Industrial and Entrepreneurship Projects Exhibition: Suleiman Ndirangu, Ian Katula, Antony Wachira and Willy Kamau, who showcased a real estate property management system, while the second team of Maron Murangiri, Bill Clinton Okoth, and Davidson Ombongi also came up with an innovation, AfyaExpress, that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) to connect patients with healthcare provides remotely.
These achievements, the Chancellor stated, demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity that define JKUAT and commended the students for their dedication to push boundaries.
He was pleased to note the recent launch of JHUB Africa, a digital innovation hub that aims to serve as a one-stop destination for developing and nurturing groundbreaking digital solutions tailored to Africa’s unique needs. “By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, JHUB Africa will enable innovations to thrive, benefiting a diverse range of sectors, particularly agriculture, trade, and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs),” said Prof. Ndung’u.
The Chancellor said, researchers from the Digital Health Applied Research Center (DHARC) at the College of Health Sciences had conducted key research focused on assessing antimicrobial resistance diagnostics capacity and antibiotic use across our counties supported by the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) and the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The initiative provided significant findings on the urgent public health challenge of antimicrobial resistance in our country.
Another team of DHARC researchers have partnered with the Ministry of Health, FIND, and other stakeholders to develop Standard Operating Procedures for the Community Health workforce in Kenya. These initiatives underscore the vital role our university continues to play in shaping national policies and strategies, ensuring that academic insights effectively inform critical decision-making processes in the country, he stated.
Regarding the ongoing impasse on university education funding, the Chancellor called for a collaborative approach by government, universities, development partners and communities to establish a sustainable and equitable financial framework that supports students and institutions.
He congratulated the graduands on their academic achievements, “As you step out into the world, remember, this is just the beginning of another exciting chapter in your life’s journey,” he advised, and encourage them to remain outstanding ambassadors of JKUAT in professional careers, entrepreneurial ventures or community service.
The Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Migos Ogamba noted that JKUAT is highly recognized for excellent performance in research and innovation, which has resulted in an enviable collection of intellectual property rights.
He therefore challenged the university “to commercialize the assets in order to address prevailing societal challenges in healthcare, food security, manufacturing and housing, among other critical areas. This will supplement government support and also enhance the University’s financial sustainability.”
The Cabinet Secretary was represented by Dr. Caro Hunja, who joined earlier speakers in congratulating the graduands on their successful completion of a critical phase of their academic journey.
“It is your responsibility to transform the acquired knowledge into practical solutions. Congratulations and all the best in your future endeavours,” the CS concluded.
The Chair of the Council, Dr. Micah Onsando, said, JKUAT has firmly established itself as a regional leader in research with intellectual property (IP) assets being developed and evaluated for commercialization to generate revenue.
“JKUAT has distinguished itself as a center of excellence. Our scholars have created numerous intellectual property assets. This initiative is part of a larger effort to establish financial streams for both the university and its researchers,” Dr. Onsando remarked.
The Council Chair said, the university is supporting 60 academic staff members in pursuing postgraduate programs.
Dr Onsando thanked Rattansi Foundation, DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), Mitsubishi, the KIKI Trust Fund, and other development partners for providing scholarship support to students.
In her speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi expressed confidence that the comprehensive training had equipped graduands to excel in the dynamic global workforce.
“You are stepping into the world equipped with the knowledge and skills to create meaningful change. We are confident that your time at JKUAT has prepared you to excel professionally and uphold the values of integrity and innovation,” said Prof. Ngumi.
Prof. Ngumi highlighted the University’s dedication to academic excellence and innovation, noting the recent recognition of its Mechanical and Civil Engineering programs by the Washington Accord, which enhances international student mobility and graduate opportunities.
The Vice Chancellor also announced the introduction of new programs, including Master of Laws, Master of Climate Change Management and Master of Science in Sustainable Food Processing, tailored to address emerging societal needs.
Prof. Ngumi acknowledged the university’s strategic collaborations that have propelled JKUAT in its mission, citing partnerships with global entities like Microsoft and JICA, which have resulted in groundbreaking initiatives such as JHUB Africa, a plastic recycling plant, and a bioinformatics training lab.
The Vice Chancellor also lauded the exemplary achievements of staff and students and urged graduands to leverage their training to make positive impact to the society.
The African Union Commissioner, Education Science Technology and Innovation (ESTI) Prof. Mohammed Belhocine, lauded PAUSTI management for actualizing the 11th convocation. “They have provided students with a quality education and inspired them to reach their fullest potential, contributing significantly to the growth and success of the institution.”
The Commissioner was represented by the PAU Vice-Rector, Academic and Student Affairs, Pr. Bolanle Akeredolu-Ale appreciated the host country, Kenya, AU Member States, African Development Bank and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology for supporting PAUSTI.
“This support has enabled the institute to offer an education that is both impactful and transformative for hundreds of young African men and women.”
The Commissioner emphasized that they were not only celebrating the graduates’ accomplishments, but also, the strong alignment of the Pan African University with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 — a vision for a united, prosperous, and self-sustaining Africa.
She further stated that Agenda 2063 aspires to build a continent driven by its own innovative and skilled workforce. PAU has equipped its graduates with the expertise, leadership skills, and Pan-African values necessary to lead this transformation.
“The young Africans we are sending into the workforce today are not only graduates; they are also the future architects of Africa’s prosperity, dedicated to advancing technology, sustainable development, gender equality, and the economic and cultural integration of Africa,” the Commissioner concluded.
