Former Mount Kenya University (MKU) graduates burdened by fee arrears can now celebrate a significant relief. The university has announced the waiver of Sh82 million in outstanding fees, enabling graduates to collect their certificates and pursue job opportunities. This initiative, spearheaded by the university’s Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Prof. Simon Gicharu, marks a progressive step towards alleviating the financial hurdles faced by many alumni.
During MKU’s 25th graduation ceremony at the Thika main campus, where approximately 8,000 graduates were conferred with various degrees and diplomas, Prof. Gicharu highlighted the growing concern of uncollected certificates due to unpaid fees. Recognizing the impediment this posed to graduates seeking employment, he decided to eliminate the financial barrier unconditionally.
“I have looked around and found out that several graduates are yet to collect their certificates due to debt in fees arrears. As a university, it’s our wish that they take the documents to be able to look for jobs. This will see us forfeit Sh82 million, though, to a good cause,” Prof. Gicharu stated. He further encouraged beneficiaries of this gesture to consider repaying the waived amount once they secure employment, which would contribute to the Chancellor’s fund dedicated to supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
This bold move is expected to positively impact numerous graduates, opening doors for them in the job market and enabling them to contribute productively to society. The decision has been met with widespread appreciation from graduates and their families, who view it as a lifeline in an otherwise challenging economic landscape.
Adding to the momentous announcements, Prof. Gicharu revealed that MKU would introduce a Bachelor of Nautical Sciences course at its Malindi campus starting next year. This program aims to train ship captains and officers, further diversifying the university’s academic offerings and addressing the growing demand for maritime professionals.
The graduation ceremony also saw the presence of Higher Education and Research Principal Secretary Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, who served as the chief guest. Dr. Inyangala emphasized the critical role of universities in fostering a robust Research, Science, Technology, and Innovation (RSTI) ecosystem. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to creating a conducive policy environment that supports research, promotes patenting, scales innovations, and facilitates their commercialization.
Echoing the PS’s sentiments, MKU Vice Chancellor Prof. Daegratius Jaganyi underscored the university’s dedication to building strategic partnerships to enhance research and innovation both locally and internationally. Prof. Jaganyi announced that the university would allocate research grants of up to Sh1.8 million from the Vice Chancellor’s fund to faculty members across various schools. This initiative aims to support young innovators and improve the graduate completion rate through collaborative research efforts between faculty and postgraduate students.
“The university continues to source for external research funding by applying for competitive research grants. This year, between January and June, the University faculty won about Sh75,969,840 to support research and innovation,” Prof. Jaganyi noted.
MKU’s commitment to supporting its graduates, fostering innovation, and expanding academic programs reflects its vision of becoming a leading institution in higher education. The recent fee waiver and the introduction of new courses signify the university’s proactive approach to addressing both immediate and long-term needs of its students and the broader community.
