By Meshack Ngangi

The Co-operative University of Kenya rose to the occasion of the 9th Graduation Ceremony on Friday, December 6th, 2024, an event that marks the epitome of academic toil spanning 4 years for Bachelor’s graduates, 2 years for Master’s and Diploma graduates, and 1 year for certificate graduates. The celebration of a life milestone saw a total of 2,220 graduates being conferred and awarded different Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates, respectively, out of whom 1,027 were from the School of Business and Economics (SBE), 222 from the School of Co-operative and Community Development (SCCD), and 200 from the School of Computing and Mathematics (SCM). 

The auspicious event marked the 9th Graduation Ceremony since the University was awarded a Charter in October 2016 from the then President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, E.G.H, received media coverage being aired on different outlets including Kenya Television Network (KTN), Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Kameme TV, Inooro TV, K24 TV, TV 47, and Mass.Com. The Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Co-operatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. FCPA Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, EGH, was the presiding Chief Guest in the 9th Graduation Ceremony held on Friday, December 6, 2024. Delegations and guests from various governmental, private, and non-governmental institutions, including the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, State Department for Co-operatives, Ministry of Education, State Department of Higher Education and Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Chuka University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, University of Embu, Murang’a University, Daystar University, German Kenyan Cooperative Development (DGRV Kenya), Co-operative Bank, CIC Group, CIC Insurance, Techways Group, Woodley Boys School, National Police DT Sacco, Invest and Grow Sacco, Kenya USA Diaspora Sacco, Shirika DT Sacco, and Amref Sacco among others.

The 9th Graduation statistics featured a 42% aggregate increase from the previous year that produced 1,565 graduates of The Co-operative University of Kenya, depicting the institution’s growth trajectory. School of Business and Economics (SBE) produced the highest number of graduates, recording a 93% increase from 532 Graduates in the 8th Graduation Ceremony to 1,027 Graduates in the 2024 Graduation Ceremony. The upward trend in student population and graduate numbers can be attributed to the University’s resolve to enhance physical and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) infrastructure and the development of cutting-edge programs that attract new learners and respond to industry needs and dynamics.

Speaking at the 9th Graduation Ceremony, Macharia Ashley Wairimu, the 2024 Valedictorian, expressed the sentiments of the graduating class, noting that the graduates have been empowered and ready to serve Kenya with honour. Further, the highest-performing student of the Class of 2024 elucidated that joining The Co-operative University of Kenya was a privilege since it is a unique institution of higher learning with a conducive learning environment and a platform for holistic learner development. Speaking on academic excellence, Ms. Macharia explained the thorough journey she had endured in the School of Business and Economics with incredible mentorship and competent instruction from experienced faculty that the University offered her, ensuring a prepared human capital to serve our nation, the region, Africa, and the world.

Mr. Peter Kinuthia, the CUK Alumni Association Chairperson, noted that the 9th Graduation Ceremony marked a significant milestone not only for the Graduating Class of 2024 but also a great contribution to the legacy of The Co-operative University of Kenya. From an experiential perspective, Mr. Kinuthia expressed satisfaction regarding the University’s programs that prepare industry-ready graduates and the dedication of the faculty members and the management to nurture knowledge, impart wisdom, and shape character. In congratulating the graduates, the Alumni Association Chairperson gave accolades to the Graduating Cohort of 2024 for their extraordinary achievements and standing at the threshold of a new adventure, equipped with knowledge and skills that will undoubtedly be the foundation of a promising future. “The alumni association shares an everlasting bond with every student of our ‘alma mater’ by walking a similar path, facing common challenges, and emerging stronger with heightened capabilities,” said Mr. Kinuthia.

Delivering his Graduation address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kamau Ngamau, PhD, EBS, noted that the excellence, success, and incredible growth witnessed in the 9th CUK Graduation Ceremony could be associated with the University’s dedicated faculty members and administrative staff who work tirelessly to ensure seamless operations and excellent service to customers. In maintaining the position of Kenya’s leading institution in higher education, The Co-operative University of Kenya continues to develop new programs that attract new students and respond to industry needs and dynamics. 

“The state-of-the-art facilities support learning and the university’s conducive environment suits our students’ academic pursuits. The University has enhanced physical and ICT infrastructure and has procured an additional 200 computers, established two (2) additional computer laboratories, two (2) environmental laboratories, two (2) psychology laboratories, and built a fully-equipped Hospitality Students’ Kitchen. In response to the bulging number of learners, the construction of new classrooms is ongoing, and they are expected to be handed over on or before January 15, 2025,” noted Prof. Kamau Ngamau. 

Also, the Vice Chancellor expressed that the University is in the process of implementing the Kenya Rural Transformation Centres Digital Platform (KRTCDP), which is funded by the African Development Bank through the African Development Fund. In March 2024, the KRTCDP project acquired a server tailored to the project’s needs and the University’s network requirements.

In curriculum development and preparedness for receiving the first Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) trained cohort in the 2028/2029 academic year, the University undertook a training workshop for the faculty staff on CBC readiness. Additionally, we are in the process of reviewing the university’s academic programs to align with the competency-based curriculum requirements and installing the requisite infrastructure to support the newly approved curriculum in the Kenyan education sector.

Ms. Elizabeth Kimkung, Ag. University Governing Council Chairperson highlighted that the apex University governance body will perpetually support the University management board to ensure consistent development in line with the Strategic Plan 2022-2027. In addition, the Council Chairperson reiterated the efforts and bold steps the institution has taken to ensure that stakeholders in the cooperative movement and the country are kept updated with the current trends through the intellectual guidance of the University.

“The university has developed a very bold and ambitious blueprint for one of its kind innovation hubs to grow an innovation ecosystem for cooperative entrepreneurship and social innovations in the region, and I am aware that the University is looking for partners to support this initiative,” said Ms. Elizabeth Kimkung, the Ag. Council Chairperson.

In his remarks, Dr. Jeremy Bundi, the Ag. Chancellor and the University Council Chairperson acknowledged the significant progress The Co-operative University of Kenya made in developing academic programs and infrastructure, owing to support gained from the government, development partners, including the Co-operative Bank and its resource generation, making it a gratifying success of the major projects and milestones achieved by the University.

“The skills you have acquired in your respective programs are crucial for driving sustainable economic growth across all sectors of the economy in Kenya, Africa, and beyond. You have been meticulously trained by competent lecturers, networked effectively with your colleagues, and we are confident that with determination, focus, and a clear sense of purpose, you will achieve great things,” noted Dr. Jeremy Bundi, the Ag. Chancellor, while congratulating the Graduating Class of 2024. 

Dr. Jeremy appreciated the support offered by the Ministry of Co-operatives and MSMEs Development in different activities and events of the University, including the 2nd Co-operative Movement Stakeholders’ Annual Conference and the Platform Cooperativism Consortium Conference 2024 that took place in Mombasa in November 2024. The international conference brought together over 300 delegates from more than 33 countries globally to deliberate on the status of the cooperative sector and approaches for socio-economic transformation by integrating digitalization and digitization into the operations of the movement.

The address by the Chief Guest, Hon. FCPA Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, EGH, outlined that the Government’s fourth (4th) medium-term plan 2023-2027, anchored on the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), emphasizes strengthening linkages between academia and industry, a collaboration essential for fostering market-driven research, innovation, and commercialization of research findings.

“The Ministry of Co-operatives and MSMEs Development appreciates the role of The Co-operative University of Kenya as the intellectual pillar of Kenya’s co-operative movement. The University’s efforts in training, research, and consultancy have reached the movement providing invaluable human capital and evidence-based solutions,”  said  Hon. FCPA Wycliffe A. Oparanya.

Further, the Chief Guest added that the Ministry has initiated collaborations with the University to develop Universal Training Materials and a Standardized Syllabus for cooperative members and officials. This initiative seeks to address the long-standing governance challenges within the cooperative movement. The Ministry of Co-operatives and MSMEs Development is in the process of developing the Mwongozo for Co-operatives, and it anticipates the University’s contribution to its realization.