Varsity Focus (Dec, 2007)

Abstract

In this issue of the 38th graduation ceremony, the Colleges of Health Sciences and Humanities and Social Sciences are presenting over 4000 graduands for the award of various diplomas and conferment of degrees. Congratulations to all graduands for this achievement.

The graduands join over 90,000 alumni who have successfully passed through University of Nairobi. Graduands from these two colleges are mainly health, humanities and social science professionals. The other colleges constituted the 37th graduation ceremony.

Alongside this celebration, the university has continued to revitalize its operations to improve services rendered. Elsewhere in this magazine we have mentioned the launch of Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) on 28 November 2007.

The RRI concentrated in the first phase seven thematic areas that had serious gaps in this service provision: Happily, we note that the exercise was concluded successfully and results have benefited both staff and students. The management is now considering embarking on the send phase of the reforms our students have continued to do us proud.

One positive feature about our students is their active nature in building the image of the university. The Students Organization of Nairobi University (SONU) in October hosted a Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)of leading organizations to a cocktail. In attendance were 31 CEOs. The reason for the cocktail was to cultivate a positive relationship with future employers and use the opportunity to discard the negative image that affected the institution three years ago.

Other groups are building the image of the university at local and international foras through various activities. The last quarter of the year normally witnesses admission in large numbers for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. About 5000 students have joined UoN to pursue various degrees and diplomas. Varsity Focus wishes them a successful academic pursuit at UoN.

To strengthen our links with our partners, more funding continues to come from our collaborators for various programmes and projects. Other sources of income which are being exploited aggressively is the alumni. So far, five alumni chapters have been launched with the latest being the School of Veterinary Sciences Alumni Chapter. The chapters have continued to play an active role in funding some activities of their alma mater.

This being an electioneering period, most of you are going to participate in the process. You are requested to maintain peace so that we can undergo the process smoothly. Varsity Focus wishes all a Merry Christmas and Prosperous 2008.

- Charles E. Sikulu -