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Kakamega, October 29, 2010

President Mwai Kibaki congratulates Wycliffe Aluoch Oboka after he confered on him a doctorate degree of Philosophy in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance during the 4th Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology graduation ceremony in Kakamega.

President Mwai Kibaki has urged the youth to foster the spirit of the country’s new Constitution towards building a prosperous new Kenya.

Speaking today when he presided over the 4th graduation ceremony of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega, President Kibaki advised the youth to embrace good ethical behavior as well as patriotic actions that will bring pride to the nation.

The Head of State reminded the youth to be prepared to be counted among a generation that abhors corruption and one where national identity as Kenyans overrides communal identity.

“As you graduate today, you must all remember that nation building requires that you adopt a culture of hard work, integrity and diligence. It is important that you go into the world and become role models who can be emulated by your siblings, peers and communities,” the President told the graduands.

President Kibaki, particularly, warned students in universities and colleges against drinking alcohol, saying that should not be a priority in their lives.

The President added that students should take advantage of the increased education opportunities in universities and colleges to equip themselves with skills that will enable them make meaningful contribution to the country’s development.

“We are investing a lot of resources in education because we recognize the role of education in achieving the goals of the country’s development blueprint, Vision 2030,” President Kibaki said.

Congratulating the graduands for the hard work, dedication and sacrifice that culminated the successful completion of their studies, President Kibaki called upon them to give their best with a view to making the society a better place to live.

President Kibaki, at the same time, announced Government plans to float a Higher Education Infrastructure Bond in order to avail funds to universities for expansion of capacity, especially in newly established university colleges.

“The expanded space will, among other things, resolve the long-standing problem of delayed university admissions,” President Kibaki said.

The Head of State, once again, reaffirmed his Government’s desire and commitment to ensure sufficient resources to the higher education sector for rapid production of high quality, relevant and skilled human capital for the country’s development.

“My Government is committed to developing skilled human resources in all areas and disciplines that are necessary for our national prosperity and global competitiveness as envisioned in Vision 2030,” the President said.

In this regard, President Kibaki emphasized that the Government will ensure that all universities are fully equipped to enable the country to maximize on the latest advances in scientific and technological developments.

On unemployment in the country, the Head of State reassured of the Government’s keenness to provide an enabling political, social and economic environment for the creation of jobs by the private sector.

Attainment of gainful employment, the President observed, was one of the biggest concerns for students graduating from the universities.

On that note, President Kibaki impressed on employers to provide new university graduates with internship opportunities to enable them acquire the necessary practical skills and knowledge at the workplace.

The Head of State also encouraged university graduates with innovative and creative ideas to have the courage to set up businesses that will meet the country’s needs while creating jobs and generating income.

“The Government has set up various funds where our youth can seek resources for the establishment of their businesses,” said the President.

In this regard, President Kibaki urged financial institutions in the country to develop lending products that will tap into the immense business potential possessed by the youth.

On expansion of physical facilities at Masinde Muliro University, the President announced that the Government will avail Kshs 100 million for the construction of a Women’s Hall.

“The infrastructure built and the number of well-rounded qualified graduates coming out of this University is evidence that the university is on the right path to contributing to the pool of national human resource needed to push the country to the next level of development,” noted the President.

He thanked the University Management, Council, Senate and the lecturers for their individual and collective roles in moulding the graduands into useful citizens and wished them the very best as they took up their rightful roles in nation building.

Speaking during the occasion, Deputy Prime minister and Minister for Local Government Musalia Mudavadi noted that the establishment of Masinde Muliro university of Science and Technology in Kakamega town was not only a centre of education excellence but also an economic stimulus for people of Western Kenyan.

On her part, East African Community Minister Prof. Hellen Sambili, who is also the acting Minister for Higher education, Science and Technology thanked the Government for supporting higher education in the country noting that with Government proactive support, annual university enrolment has risen from 10,000 to 24,000 students in the past three years.

In this regard, she urged universities to work hard to become centres of academic excellence in order to compete effectively globally.

Other speakers included the university’s Vice-Chancellor Prof. Barasa Wangila and the Chairman of the university’s council Prof. Douglas Odhiambo among others.