Juja, Kenya: The fifth graduation ceremony of the Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI) was held on 29 November 2019. This ceremony was combined with the 34th Congregation of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), host University.
PAUSTI graduated its pioneer students in November 2014 in a ceremony presided over by the then AUC Chair, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamani Zuma.
The 2019’s congregation ceremony was graced by the presence of several high ranking officials namely, the Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, H.E. Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, who lead the AU delegation to this event, The President of the PAU Council, Prof. Pierre Dominique Nzinzi, the Interim Deputy Rector of the Pan African University, Prof. Kassa Belay, who co-signed PAUSTI certificates with the Vice Chancellor of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), The Cabinet Secretary for Education, the Chief Administrative Secretary and the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Education, the Vice Chancellor of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi PhD, the Registrar, Deans, administrative and local authorities, PAU staff, former graduates, parents and graduates.
The Graduation ceremony started with academic procession followed by the singing of anthems (the African Union, the Republic of Kenya and JKUAT University.) Thereafter, a series of graduation addresses were delivered including that of the Cabinet Secretary for Education, the AU HRST Commissioner and the Chairman of the alumni association.
Taking the floor, Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, HRST Commissioner delivered a motivational speech especially for the graduating students. She started her remarks by congratulating them on their commendable efforts and proceeded by expressing gratitude to AU Member States for sponsoring the education of PAUSTI students.
Addressing the graduates, she said: “your graduation is a testimony of how the African Union (AU) commits to empowering the youth through education. You are the new PAUSTI ambassadors. I implore you to incorporate and exemplify values of integrity, Pan Africanism, respect for life, peaceful co-existence and responsible citizenship. You must promote critical thinking, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial mind-sets knowing fully well that Africa needs your innovations and skills”.
She reminded them that life is not for the weak or pessimistic, but rather for the tough and resilient. So she advised them not to give up in front of the difficulties they may encounter on their way to success. She concluded her speech by advising the graduates to dream big and extended her Christmas and New Year wishes to them.
Following addresses, the Chancellor awarded diplomas and conferred degrees to the graduates in the following order:
- JKUAT Doctorates
- Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation
(PAUSTI) Doctorates
- PAUSTI Masters
- JKUAT Masters and Postgraduate Diplomas
- JKUAT Diplomas
- JKUAT Bachelors.
The Vice Chancellor presented the graduates back to the parents, guardians and society. For this year, the graduation statistics are as follows: 70 Masters’ graduates and 44 PhD scholars all coming from 27 African Union Member States.
The members of the AU/PAU delegation seized this opportunity to visit PAUSTI infrastructures including the two buildings offered by the host Government.
The visit was also an opportunity for the graduates with the best thesis, coming from Kenya, Cameroon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Uganda, to make brief presentations of their respective work. This was followed by prizes awards. .
In the evening, a dinner graced by the HRST Commissioner was organized for PAUSTI graduates.
Africa can count on them and on other PAUSTI and PAU students for the construction of the Africa We Want as stipulated in Agenda 2063.
