The Co-operative University of Kenya marked her 4th Graduation Ceremony on Friday, December 6, 2019, at our Main Campus in Karen. A total of 2,835, graduands were conferred with Degrees and awarded with Diploma and Certificates. The graduation was celebrated under the theme “Co-operatives in a Changing Ecosystem” and the graduating class was encouraged to explore and leverage on the ever-changing co-operative environment. Speaking during the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Kamau Ngamau, gave a breakdown of the strides the university has made in the last year. From Scholarship award to research work, increase in university programmes, and the increase in student population. The Vice Chancellor noted the emphasis that the government has placed on STEM courses and acknowledged the strides the university is making towards the realization of that agenda

“The university recently established the School of Computing and Mathematics in line with the government’s agenda of creating more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses all aimed at ensuring that the University continues to push the agenda of moving our country to a middle-income country by the year 2030. We recognise the importance of STEM courses will play and as university commit our resources towards the realization of this great dream.” The university also graduated a total of eight (8) students in the Master of Arts in Co-operative Management (MCM) further reaffirming herself as a premier university on matters co-operative training.  In his part, the Chairperson of Council commended the university management for the prudent utilization of resources allocated and commended them for the major infrastructure projects being undertaken by the University. “My council is leaving no stone unturned in supporting the University management board and the senate in ensuring that the quality of teaching and research at CUK is top-notch.” The Chief Guest during the 4th Graduation Ceremony was Hon. Peter Munya, MGH, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Trade, Industry and Co-operatives.  In his address, he reaffirmed the critical role the university continues to play in training for the huge co-operative movement and gave the reassurance and support of his ministry more so on matter legislation and in the implementation of the already published Co-operative Policy. He implored on the Accademia to partner with his Ministry to see the realization and implementation of the Co-operative policy. The Chief Guest also challenged the graduating students to partner with their peers and lecturers towards creating solutions to some of the issues we as a society continue to face.

“We long for the day when solutions to societal problems will be solved by way of research and innovation by campus students or fresh graduates like yourselves. So believe in yourselves and the potential you hold towards making Kenya and indeed the whole world a better place.” The Chief Guest also gave a commitment of initiating talks with the Co-operative Movement, the University and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Co-operatives to rally the movement behind the Ksh 3.25B project under the name Learning Resource Center (LRC). He noted that the movement has committed funds to projects that are of great benefit to them and the movement can always do it again.  The Chancellor, Dr Ibrahim Ali, in his address, acknowledged the cordial working and research relationship the university has with the various stakeholders. “Any institution is a great as the partnership it has and I wish, at this juncture to acknowledge and appreciate the partners and stakeholders of the University. We as a university are committed to forming lasting partnerships as anchored in the sixth co-operative principle of “Cooperation among co-operatives.” He further encouraged the graduating class to join the alumni association of the university and not to shy away from having joint projects and ventures with the university. “Feel free to involve the University as a partner in your research and consultancy work. Leverage on the experience of your lecturers to write research proposals and access funding and grants for research work and projects.” 

The university takes this opportunity to wish the Graduating Class of 2019 all the best as they venture into the next phase of their academic journey. Those who were awarded diplomas and certificates can apply for the January 2020 intake for the respective programmes while those who were conferred with degrees are encouraged to apply for our postgraduate programmes.