Laikipia University is thrilled to have successfully held its 12th Graduation Ceremony on 18th December, 2024 at the University Graduation Pavilion. This Year’s theme was: From Knowledge to Action: Nurturing and Empowering Graduates to Lead and Transform. The colourful, magnificent, and splendid ceremony was graced by Honourable Julius Migos Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, who also represented the President of the Republic of Kenya.
While presenting the president’s speech, the Honourable Cabinet Secretary highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting universities to enhance their research and innovation through quality education. He lauded Laikipia University for its commitment to offering quality higher education to its students despite the limited resources.
However, he noted that 23 public universities have gone bankrupt due to financial challenges, which compelled the government to unveil the New Funding Model (NFM). NFM addresses universities’ financial challenges by funding students according to their needs and programme costs. He reiterated that the government is still fine-tuning the model to make it more effective and accommodative to every student.
The Cabinet Secretary also implored all the University Councils and Management Boards nationwide to always make the right decisions that do not harm students and other stakeholders. He congratulated Laikipia University’s Class of 2024 on their diligence and resilience and wished them success in their future endeavours.
His Excellency Joshua Irungu, Governor, County Government of Laikipia also graced the graduation ceremony. The governor lobbied for more financial resources from the national government to Laikipia University to enable the institution to meet its mandate efficiently through research programmes that benefit Laikipia County's national and international people. He also urged the graduating Class of 2024 to step out confidently and aggressively and be job creators in line with their graduation theme: ‘From Knowledge to Action: Nurturing and Empowering Graduates to Lead and Transform’.
In his divine closing remarks, the Governor encouraged the graduating students to be God-fearing people with strong values and character.
Dr. Lemein Korei, the University Council Chairman who also served as the Chancellor for the ceremony, expressed his gratitude to the government for its unwavering support through the Ministry of Education. He said that the government’s financial support to Laikipia University has enabled the institution to improve its facilities and systems, leading to quality education for its students.
The Council Chairman also thanked the University Management Board led by Prof. Kibett Rotich, Vice Chancellor; Senate; faculty and staff for their immense support, culminating in the graduation ceremony for the conferment of degrees and award of diplomas to the 1412 graduands.
Prof. Kibett Rotich, Vice Chancellor, thanked the government through Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) for their support by allocating over 3000 students to Laikipia University in the 2024-2025 academic year. This was 500 students more than the previous academic year, which contributed immensely to the growth of the university, especially through the new funding model, where student numbers are the determinant of financial capitation.
Prof. Kibett further underscored that Laikipia University is committed to supporting students’ welfare, especially those from needy and vulnerable backgrounds, through bursaries and work-study programmes. These opportunities are geared towards enhancing diversity and equity in sharing academic resources because education is the best equaliser.
While congratulating the Class of 2024 for their remarkable academic milestone, the Vice Chancellor reminded them of the importance of carrying with them the invaluable experiences they have gained during their study stay at Laikipia University while holding the vision of ‘Nurturing and Transforming for the World’ as inculcated in them by the Great Laikipia University.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024!!!
