It is all systems go as all is set for tomorrow’s big day at Kibabii University where over 700 students are expected to graduate in the first graduation ceremony to be held by the university since receiving its charter.
According to the Vice-Chancellor of the University Professor Isaac Odeo Ipara, 742 students are expected to graduate in different fields including one student who is expected to attain a Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) in information Technology.
“Tomorrow will be a big day for us as Kibabii University, the people of Bungoma County and the entire nation as we shall realize our dream of witnessing our pioneer students graduate in a colourful ceremony since we were handed a charter as an independent University,Vice-Chancellor.
He said that the ceremony that shall be graced by the university’s chancellor who is also the head of state President Uhuru Kenyatta shall also witness 15 students graduate with masters degrees in different fields.
“In tomorrow’s graduation a total of 742 students shall graduate with degrees, diplomas and certificates in different fields including one student graduating with a PHD in Information Technology and 15 of them with masters degrees in different fields,” added Ipara.
The VC confirmed that preparations were in top gear at all levels for the big day including security arrangements.
“We’ve had enough time to prepare for this day hence everything is up to date and we are now just fine tuning and polishing up as we prepare for the big day. We have also been assured of sufficient security, therefore we are ready,” he added.
At the same time Professor Ipara appreciated the president as the University’s chancellor noting that since he handed the charter to the university many things have changed and acknowledged that the enrolment has increased, more buildings including laboratories among others have been constructed at the university as it expands due to its new status.
He noted that at the moment the students have nothing to complain about especially after various incidents of unrest that were witnessed at the institution a few months ago leading to its indefinite closure as students complained of various things that they wanted the University management under Ipara to address.
The VC said that despite experiencing several challenges due to students not paying fees promptly, the university management board has tried its level best to improve on the areas that students complained of including availing of enough chairs, construction of more laboratories and offices among others hence addressing major issues that affected students.
Some of the students who are preparing to graduate tomorrow spoke to West Media and expressed their excitement to be among the pioneer graduants of Kibabii University.
“This is a big day to me as a student and I am very proud to be among the pioneer students to graduate from Kibabii University,” said Edwin Wafula Wanyama a student of Bachelor of Commerce, Finance option and also a former Mr. Kibabii University.
“We are very happy for this day because it will be the first graduation as Kibabii University and we are very ready to receive our president Uhuru Kenyatta as he will be coming to grace the day,” said Francis Okemer.
Kibabii University first started as a constituent university college of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in 2011 before students started enrolling in from March 2012.
A total of 333 students enrolled at the University in March 2012 as the first students of Kibabii University as a constituent university of MMUST.
The university was officially handed the charter by President Uhuru Kenyatta in November 2015 and thus it is now one full year after receiving the charter when the University is witnessing its pioneer graduants pass out in a colourful ceremony.
Many leaders from the national and county governments and politicians from across the divide are expected to attend the ceremony.
