.png){kind=logo}
news
2020/21 First Years Successfully Inducted Online
The two-week orientation process for the 2020/21 first years’ - that was for the first time conducted online in Egerton University and across both private and public universities - ended at a high note with attendance from the P.S. State Department for University Education and Research, Amb. Simon Nabukwesi. The virtual orientation process saw the familiarization of students with the academic programs, facilities, and amenities abound at Egerton University. This comes at a time when the education system is working through the pandemic to ensure continuity of education despite the challenges that lie.
This is the first student induction of its kind for the university and among the very first across both public and private institutions in Kenya. The Dean of Students' office under the Division of Academic Affairs is proud to have facilitated the entire process and welcomes all our first years to Egerton University – an institution that transforms lives through quality education.
“The pandemic has opened our eyes to avenues that we for long thought were far out of reach. Starting with this virtual orientation, we are the first public institution in Keya to hold induction of students of such a massive scale online. I am proud to also share that we are also the first public university in Kenya to hold virtual graduation utilizing all virtual spaces successfully. We are also on course with online classes and have conducted several masters and PhD defences online” - Prof. Alexander K. Kahi, DVC (Academic Affairs).
In her address to the first years, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rose A. Mwonya welcomed them and congratulated them for having secured themselves a slot in a world-class university for the advancement of humanity.
“As we assemble here today on this auspicious day, it is my privilege and great pleasure that I welcome you all to Egerton University, the Premier Agricultural Public University in Kenya. I am delighted that this is where you would like to spend your next three to six years” – Prof. Rose A. Mwonya, Vice-Chancellor - Egerton University.
Egerton University Preparedness towards achieving the New Normal
As the world makes efforts to live with the new normal that's the coronavirus, Egerton University joins in by being the first public university in Kenya to conduct virtual graduation in the history of the country. This ceremony has seen 1,018 students graduate with variant certificates from the comfort of their homes.
The university, in line with government regulations that seek to ensure all institutions of higher learning demonstrate adequate preparedness for the continuity of learning in universities, showcased a model learning and sleeping areas to the Chancellor Egerton University Dr. Narendra Raval, EBS, (Guru), the Cabinet Secretary (Education) Prof. George A. O. Magoha, the Permanent Secretary (University Education and Research) Amb. Simon Nabukwesi, university management, among other dignitaries in the education sector.
Learning on online platforms is on course among continuing students and so goes for masters and PhD defences.
The Division of Academic Affairs continues to vouch for this progress while advocating for strict adherence to health regulations set by government to safeguard the safety of staff and students.
Egerton University holds Landmark 42nd Graduation
As 1,018 graduands followed the 42nd graduation procession from the comfort of their homes, Egerton University spread a message of hope and determination to its community and the world over – making them know that it is possible to wade through trying times despite the odds. The virtual graduation, covered across multiple online platforms and renowned media outlets, was the first of its kind for both Egerton University and public universities in Kenya.
The virtual ceremony, held at the graduation square, saw awarding of PhDs, Master degrees, Diplomas, and Bachelor degrees to all the graduates in a unique fashion in the presence of our Chancellor Dr. Narendra Raval, EBS, (Guru), the Cabinet Secretary (Education) Prof. George A. O. Magoha, and Permanent Secretary (University Education and Research) Amb. Simon Nabukwesi, university management, faculty deans, among other dignitaries in the education sector.
The graduation ceremony comes at a time when the country is working tirelessly to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and its ripple effects. This goes to show the preparedness of Egerton University in its quest of continuity of quality education provision to its students despite the times.
Among the many sentiments shared by the head of the education sector in Kenya, he implored graduands, education stakeholders, and the Egerton Community in general to inter alia, appreciate and find value in their becoming; protect lives; keep their faith in God and create opportunities for others. He commended the facilities of Egerton University citing that it can "blend into the standards of any other institution across the world".
The head of the education sector in Kenya also emphasized the need for sustainable employment across the board in order to cut down on expenditure besides urging universities to focus on their strong suits for sustainability and longevity.
As the class of 2020 celebrates the goodness of their relentless hard work, we wish you all the best in their sojourns of life. From the Division of Academic Affairs, we are proud to have been an essential seasoning to your lives. We welcome you to further your academic prospects with us and be good emissaries of Egerton University.
School reopening dates and Examination Schedule
Pursuant to the meeting held by the Senate on December 19th, 2019, all students from both Egerton University Njoro Main Campus and Nakuru Town Campus College are scheduled to resume school and continue with Semester I on Friday 10th January, 2020. Exams for Semester I will start on Monday 13th through to Friday 24th of January, 2020.
Students will then report for the start of Semester II on Saturday 25th January, 2020, after which lectures should start on Monday 27th January, 2020. Semester II is scheduled to end on 1st May 2020 after semestral exams.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2020!
Students Gear up for Examination
The first semester of the 2019/20 academic year comes to a halt marked by examinations that will usher students to their second semester that comes early 2020. The semestral examinations that are set to begin on 5th-December, 2019 and end on 20th-December, 2019 will cut across all levels of study. The exams come after a fulfilling semester of numerous student activities involving both academic and extracurricular activities. The students have been put through rigorous continuous assessment tests, lab sessions and direct interactive sessions with their lecturers in class and outside class in preparation for these exams. They have also had moments outside class to enjoy the annual cultural week extravaganza, gender awareness day, sport events, beauty pageants and other activities that mop up all the stress from class work.
We wish all the students success in their exams and fulfilling Christmas holidays!
Egerton University marks the 41st Graduation Ceremony
The 41st graduation ceremony held on 29th November, 2019 took place at a time when Egerton University was marking her 80th anniversary since establishment. The event that saw the graduation of a staggering 2879 graduates brought to life the memories and the true sense of belonging that Egerton University is founded on. This brought back heartfelt gratitude from the pioneering students well deep into their elderly days, sharing every moment they cherished while pursuing an education in this world class varsity for humanity advancement. The 80th anniversary caps all the efforts that Egerton has put into establishing itself as the exemplary institution of higher learning that it is recognized to be today.
Graduates of all levels including 18 doctorate holders, 65 master’s degree holders, 2554 bachelor’s degree holders and 242 diploma holders were celebrated for having done quite a commendable job through their course of study and having come this far. As the graduates stood up to recite their pledge in chorus, one could feel a sense of determination, purpose and willpower brewing among the congregants.
Through the continuous dissemination of quality education to our students, we know and believe that our graduates are best fit for the job market. Our numerous diploma, degree, masters and doctorate programs tell it all.
Even as a celebratory mood colored the faces of the entire Egerton University community, the Chancellor Dr. Narendera Raval necessitated on the need to make the university a self-sustaining institution. “We have come up with new income streams since the government reduced its allocations,” he said. This comes at a time when allocation of self-sponsored students has been on a steep decline in all public institutions.
To the class of 2019, we wish you all the best as you pursue the next step in life!
Inaugural CESAAM Regional Summer School for Graduate Students hosted by Egerton University
The African Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management – CESAAM (ACE-II CESAAM) which is part of the World Bank Centre of Excellence – Ace II planned a Summer School from 25th-29th November, 2019 at Egerton University.
The convention sought to bring together graduate students from the Centre and those from its partners to share their experiences and present some of their findings in research that seek to revolutionize agricultural productivity in Africa. The summer school also sought to offer short courses on Implication and Preparation of Policy Briefs and Research Analytics and Data Management.
The one-week event saw the participation of other institutions of higher learning from across Africa including; Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology, Haramaya University, Makerere University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology and the hosts Egerton University. During the one week camp, students shared their research work in order to obtain input from academic, industrial mentors among others.
Various topics were discussed including Households and Institutional Frameworks in Agricultural Transformation, Genetics and Sustainable Production Systems, Agricultural Engineering, Food Science and Post-harvest Handling among others.
Egerton University Vice Chancellor Prof. Rose A. Mwonya on the opening ceremony stressed on the need to employ skills of critical thinking, problem solving and analysis in the research process.
The Ohio Program 2019 Internship Opportunities for Egerton University Students
Being a household name in agricultural innovations and technology in the United States, The Ohio State University represented by Michael O. Keefe (Program Manager) toured Egerton University on 13th November, 2019 to shed light on the various opportunities availed by The Ohio International Agricultural & Horticultural Internship Program.
Students were taken through a myriad of internship opportunities including those in the fields of greenhouses, turf grass technology, floristry, animal husbandry, crop farming, plant breeding and various areas of research; the application window; eligibility criterion; etcetera.
The program which offers practical training in the U.S. avails the students opportunities in horticulture retail, fruit production and research, public gardening, organic vegetable production, landscape design and installation just to name a few.
The program also seeks to primarily provide the best opportunities for on-the-job training for specially selected agricultural students and practitioners.
Faculty Deans are trained on Dissemination of Competency Based Education
The one week conference hosted by the Centre of Excellence in Livestock Innovation and Business (CoELIB) on embracing of competency based education brought together deans across all faculties of Egerton University between 22nd and 25th October, 2019. The event moderated by Hester van de Kuiler, MSc – an education consultant from The Netherlands - agglomerated the faculty heads in a skill-impartation workshop that sought to put to effect competitive education dissemination by lecturers to students. The event comes at a time when Kenya is taking a different route in view of delivering top of the line education in line with the future.
Among the issues discussed were improvement of teaching modes, re-evaluation of learning objectives, prospective outcomes of incorporation of the competency based education, definition of learning outcomes, assessment techniques of the progress, implications of revising the curriculum Et Al.
“… But the ultimate goal of competency based education is to prepare student for real life and the labor market (sic) cause you want them to have the knowledge and the skills and the attitudes and values that they will use once they start working,” – Hester van de Kuiler, MSc – Education Consultant.
Egerton University Medical Students Sensitize the public on Reproductive Health Matters
Egerton University Medical Students Association (EUMedSA) held a Reproductive Health day on 11th October, 2019 within the university in a bid to sensitize students, lecturers and the general public on matters reproductive health.
The activities carried out during the charity event included cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening, HIV testing, distribution of free variable contraceptives, BMI measurement, blood pressure measurements, guidance and counseling among others. The event saw participation of volunteer medicine students, The Kenya Red Cross, Marie Stopes, and New Point Hospital. The turnout was impressive and quite encouraging. Given that we are in the times of awakening regarding reproductive health and lifestyle diseases, a future organization of the same event is inevitable. The turnout too is expected to be on an increase.
(Image courtesy of Pictures by Njuguna).
