By Horace Okoth

On June 9-12, the university joined the global community in marking International Archives Week, themed: “Archives Are Accessible; Archives for Everyone.” This five-day event brought together the university community to explore, celebrate, and reflect on the vital role archives play in preserving institutional memory, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring access to information for all.

The week kicked off with a colorful opening ceremony that set the tone for a packed schedule of insightful, interactive, and engaging activities. The Archives came alive not just as a physical space, but as a living storybook of our collective journey as an institution. The event featured an array of activities, including the behind-the-scenes archives tour, which gave participants a rare opportunity to peek into the preservation processes and archival workflows that keep our history safe for future generations. Visitors walked away with a new appreciation for the quiet, meticulous labor that goes into organizing and safeguarding records. Adding a spark of fun and curiosity was the interactive archive scavenger hunt, designed to help participants engage with key historical materials in innovative ways.

Additionally, the participants explored the then & now exhibit walkthrough, which visually showcased the dramatic transformation of the campus over the years, offering a reflective walk down memory lane. Participants also engaged in storytelling sessions, which provided spaces for staff, students, and alumni to share untold stories and fond memories, building intergenerational connections and reaffirming the value of shared history.

A key moment was the launch of the oral history booth, where students, alumni, faculty, and staff recorded their personal stories and experiences at USIU-Africa. These recordings will serve as rich, firsthand testimonies for generations to come, capturing voices that traditional records may overlook. Another highlight was the short film screening, which brought to life rare and often unseen footage from the university’s history. This was followed by an inspiring guest talk by Dr. Naftal Chweya, Head of Government Records, Kenya, who offered deep insights into the relevance of archives in a rapidly evolving digital age.

To wrap up the celebration, the Archives section of the Library hosted a lively showcase of the week’s highlights, culminating in the ever-popular archives trivia challenge & prize giveaway, where participants tested their knowledge of university history in a fun, community-spirited atmosphere.