July 18, 2022

Dear USIU-Africa Community,

The University Council of the United States International University-Africa is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Margee Ensign as the new Vice-Chancellor of USIU-Africa with effect from September 1, 2022.

Prof. Ensign has an outstanding track record with a stellar academic career including 12 years as a successful Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria and in the US, where she was a formidable ambassador and successful fund-raiser. Her experience leading two very different organizations as Vice Chancellor will enable her to address the challenges and opportunities for USIU-Africa. She brings an undoubted commitment, passion and vision around deepening international and intercultural education in Africa: it has been at the heart of her teaching, research, publications, and administrative life, and has led her to experience working in numerous international environments including Rwanda, Uganda, and Nigeria.

Prof. Ensign currently serves as the President of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, where she had been President from 2010 to 2017. She was requested to return to AUN in 2021, having assumed the position of Vice Chancellor (or President) of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2021. Prior to her AUN Vice-Chancellorship, Professor Ensign was Associate Provost for International Initiatives, Dean and Professor, School of International Studies, University of The Pacific (1999-2010), work in Rwanda & Uganda (2003-9), and she held administrative and faculty positions at both at Columbia and Tulane Universities. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in International Politics and Economics.

A well-respected scholar on development, on Africa, and - growing out of her experience in Rwanda - on genocide, Prof. Ensign is the author and editor of six books, including Rwanda: History and Hope, and Confronting Genocide: Dehumanization, Denial, and Strategies for Prevention. She has presented at numerous international fora, including the World Economic Forum, the American Council on Education, and US Congress, and most recently was a panel member at the Commonwealth Women's Forum in Rwanda which focused on gender equity and education. She has received many awards including Distinguished Leadership Award for Excellence in Education; African Leading University of the Year; African Leadership Award from the World Center for Corporate Social Responsibility. She holds Honorary Doctorates from the American University of Paris and New College.

Exuding energy and optimism, her leadership style and experience are to work hard to bring people of many different backgrounds and perspectives together to work for the common good, fostering a spirit of enthusiasm, of collaboration and of cooperation. Building a sense of common purpose, and of a shared vision, both within the institution and in conjunction with its host community, has been one of the most rewarding parts of her jobs in the USA and Nigeria. Social responsibility, or ‘civic learning and action’ are key values and high priorities for Prof. Ensign. At AUN, her mission was to create a “development university,” very much in line with USIU-Africa’s focus on community and sustainable development. She is excited by the tremendous potential of USIU-Africa to have a much bigger reach.

Prof. Ensign will work in close alignment with the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and other members of the Management Board, to oversee a broad spectrum of activities including the five academic schools, student affairs, admissions, registration, library, faculty development, information technology, operations, and the implementation of the 2021-2026 strategic plan. Prof. Ensign particularly enjoys interacting with students and with all members of the university and is looking forward to engaging with the USIU-Africa community when she arrives in September.

Finally, the University Council would like to take this opportunity to thank Prof. Freida Brown for her magnanimous facilitation during the transition between our former Vice-Chancellor and Prof. Ensign. Words cannot express how grateful we are as the University community for your selfless service to this institution.

Signed

Kris Ole-Senanu
Chair, University Council
United States International University-Africa

August 15, 2019 – Nairobi, Kenya – The 6^th edition of the AfricaHackOn cyber security conference was held on August 15 in partnership with Safaricom, Microsoft, EKraal, USIU-Africa and She Hacks. AfricaHackOn is becoming a leading venture in raising awareness on matters affecting cyber security and also grooming upcoming talent in the job market. The platform is poised to becoming a one stop shop for talent and resources in a field greatly short staffed.

Cyber security is a $ 45 billion industry globally which presents both opportunities and threats for organizations. Microsoft estimates that by 2020, there will be 4 billion people online, 50 billion devices will be connected to the internet and data volumes will be 50 times greater than they were in 2016. The current workforce in the cyber security professionals will not be able to meet this demand if training in cyber security is not prioritized. The World Economic Forum estimates that jobs for the next 50 years will be created in the digital space and institutions of higher learning should endeavor to train graduates in information, communication and technology. The Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Ruthie Rono echoed these sentiments by indicating the emerging trends in the job market will require skilled professionals in big data analytics, Artificial Intelligence, software engineering, and information security among others.

Serianu estimates the cost of cybercrime in Kenya to be USD 175 million in 2016, an increase from the USD 150 million reported in 2015. This glaring figure indicates that that most organizations are not treating cyber security as a serious threat and will most likely outsource this role to a service provider. Despite this, organizations such as Safaricom has invested in infrastructure and expertise that tackles cyber security threats.

Speaking at the event, Safaricom’s Head of Cyber Security, James Yogo noted that it was imperative for companies to have strategies to deal with cyber security threats.

“Through our program, Bug Bounty, we have employed a total of 30 white hat hackers to be able to detect any threat on our network. The trend of hiring ethical hackers is slowly catching on and gaining momentum as one of the ways to deal with the increasing threat of cyber security. Such programs address the growing technology advancements which in turn present advanced threats and infiltrations, “he said.

“Organizations must respond to threats by increasing their surveillance and increasing cybercrimes awareness programs that teach users how to detect these crimes,” he added.

#ENDS#

Notes for editors

Interviews. To arrange, please contact:
Dr. Bright G. Mawudor,
Founder, AfricaHackon
Tel: 0712 421951
E: bright.gameli@africahackon.com

About AfricaHackon

Africahackon is East Africa’s premier technical computer security collective which brings together the individual talents of the best and brightest security information professionals in the region, through live presentations, engaging discussions and hands-on demonstrations.

For Immediate Release
E-learning feat: History made as USIU-Africa fully online MBA class among 1,339 Graduands delivered at its 44th commencement ceremony

September 24, 2022, Nairobi, Kenya: The United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) has today made history in the local higher education space with the graduation of its first cohort of students who pursued their Masters of Business Administration (MBA) that was delivered fully online.

The class comprising twelve graduands was part of more than 1,339 graduates who received their degrees in various Undergraduate and Postgraduate and Doctorate disciplines at the premier University's 44th Commencement (graduation) ceremony.
At the colorful ceremony presided over by outgoing Vice Chancellor Prof. Freida Brown and newly appointed Vice Chancellor Prof. Margee Ensign, the University leadership confirmed plans to enhance its e-learning learning programs to meet growing market demand.

A representative from the State Department of University Education and Research Mr. Evans Atambo, who graced the Commencement Ceremony, lauded USIU-Africa for taking the lead in developing e-learning solutions to complement traditional higher education delivery options.

“The graduation of this first cohort of Postgraduate students who have undertaken their studies online from start to finish is encouraging and provides a good proof point that the delivery of quality e-learning at the higher education level is possible in Kenya,” Mr. Atambo said.

USIU-Africa received regulatory approval to deliver the fully online MBA program from the Commission for University Education (CUE) in 2020. The program is designed for online delivery and virtual examination within five semesters (approximately 18 months) and is powered by a range of learning resources, including e-books, e-journals and other e-resources from the University's online library.
Speaking at the commencement ceremony, outgoing Vice Chancellor Prof. Freida Brown said that this graduating class also featured the first cohort of Bachelor of Arts in Animation and the Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

“Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2022. You are the future global leaders not only here in Kenya but across the entire continent and beyond. We are so proud of you and look forward to hear the impact that you will create in your life journey,” said Prof. Ensign who brings to her new position a distinguished scholarly and administrative reputation from both the United States and Africa.

In its recently launched 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, the University outlined plans to strengthen its enrolment rates by more than 32% while diversifying the range of market-driven courses delivered as part of its institutional growth plans. The Strategic Plan also highlights a blueprint to secure and intensify the University's revenue mobilization efforts to finance its academic delivery programs while leveraging its robust Information Technology Systems.

The University also aims to transition 85% of its students into the labor market through market-driven programs that meet the 21st-century industry needs. As part of its strategic plan, the institution will triple external research funding and productivity by 2026.

#Ends#
About USIU-Africa
USIU–Africa is one of Kenya's leading private universities, representing over 70 nationalities undertaking 35 Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral programs. It is the only University in the region with dual accreditation in Kenya by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). www.usiu.ac.ke

For Immediate Release

Government urged to create thriving business environment for young job creators

September 28, 2019 – Nairobi, Kenya – USIU-Africa celebrated its 41^st commencement today, with a total of 1,340 graduates across various programs. The graduates included 948 undergraduate students, 373 graduate students and 19 Doctorate students.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor noted that the commencement was a testament to the excellence that USIU-Africa has nurtured over the past 50 years, even in the face of increasing challenges in higher education.

“This great fete comes at a time when the higher education sector has been facing increasing challenges over the last couple of years. Globally, challenges such as institutional supply, budget cuts, shortage of qualified faculty, poor institutional governance, poor learning infrastructure and unequal internationalization are increasingly on the rise. These challenges affect the quality of education offered at institutions of higher learning and eventually affects the quality of education,” he said.

“These challenges are not likely to end, and therefore universities must raise their standards and ensure that they adequately prepare the next generation workforce. Failure to address these challenges will be evident in the quality of graduates,” he added.

Numerous reports indicate that university graduates suffer from high levels of unemployment and underemployment, sometimes higher than for primary and secondary graduates. A study conducted by the Federation of Kenya Employers indicated that employers spend between spend between Kshs. 20,000 – Kshs.100, 000 in retraining fresh graduates. A large proportion of this fresh training is centered on work and occupation basics, customer service and basic knowledge about the organization.

With the UN estimating that the number of youth in Africa aged between 15-24 years will be more than 250 million by 2020, the guest speaker, Dr. Vimal Shah, urged the graduands to chart

their own paths and become job creators as opposed to job seekers, noting that those who did approached life differently with results visible within a very short time.

“The work place globally is already experiencing significant shifts and economies across the globe must adapt to that change. A majority of jobs being created are in emerging fields, particularly in the IT sector. According to the World Economic Forum, four specific technological advances—ubiquitous high-speed mobile internet; artificial intelligence; widespread adoption of big data analytics; and cloud technology—are set to dominate the next four years as drivers positively affecting business growth. As more young people continue to enter the job markets, these key areas must innovate in order to stay relevant. These shifts are going to change how we do business in the next five to ten years and we need to invest in these areas,” said Dr. Shah. He pointed out that disruption and innovation will be the enabler as is evident in the global online hailing taxing Uber, the Kenyan based M-Pesa service, the online store Jumia and lots of other e-commerce and e-service platforms.

To date, the University has graduated over 19,300 students, drawn from 73 nationalities. It is the only university in the region with dual accreditation in Kenya by the Commission for University (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

#ENDS#

Notes for editors

1. Interviews

To arrange, please contact:

Prof. Paul Zeleza

Vice Chancellor, USIU-Africa

Email: vc@usiu.ac.ke

Tel: +254 730 116 412

2. About USIU-Africa

The mission of United States International University – Africa, is to promote the discovery and application of knowledge, the acquisition of skills, and the development of intellect and character in a manner that prepares students to contribute effectively in an increasingly technological world. The institutions vision is to be a premier institution of academic excellence with a global perspective.

USIU-Africa’s 27 programs at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels, are accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (USA) and by the Commission for University Education (Kenya). This dual accreditation guarantees quality global education and transferability of credits from USIU-Africa to any university in Kenya, the United States and the rest of the world.

January 17, 2024, Nairobi, Kenya

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), is working with hundreds of students in East Africa to raise awareness and understanding of labour migration in the region. Over 200 students from the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa), the University of Nairobi, Daystar University, Mount Kenya University, Technical University of Kenya, and Strathmore University had the opportunity to participate in an event titled "East and Horn of Africa Migration Dialogues for Understanding and Shaping the Future".

During the event, held today at the USIU-Africa campus in Nairobi, IOM representatives and students, along with migration experts and policymakers discussed the positive impact and benefits of regular and safe labour migration, and challenge myths about the economic impact of migration, highlighting its benefits. Participants also discussed how to advocate for the rights of migrants, and promote policies that protect migrants. And the social, economic, and political challenges faced by migrants, with attention to gender and labour migration.

According to IOM's State of Migration in the East and Horn of Africa report released in May 2023, the region is estimated to be home to approximately 464 million people. Within this population, there are 22.3 million displaced persons and 8.5 million international migrants. Migrants play a substantial role in the East and Horn of Africa region, both economically and socially. They fill critical labour gaps drive economic activity and play vital roles in key economic sectors. Migrants further send billions of dollars in remittances back to their home countries, supporting families and local economies.

Well managed migration can lead to reduced poverty and inequality both for migrants and their communities. This contributes to achieving global development goals and reducing inequalities. When migrants can work safely and legally, they are more likely to send remittances back to their home countries, boosting economic and development efforts. Despite these, migrants in the East and Horn of Africa region continue to face a range of negative experiences, impacting their safety, well-being, and rights including exploitation, trafficking and smuggling, discrimination, poor access to health and justice, and more.

Speaking during the event, the Interim Vice Chancellor Dr. Omolola E. Omole-Odubekun reaffirmed the university’s goal towards providing a holistic education, giving students practical solutions to an ever-evolving world. “USIU-Africa is committed to providing our students with opportunities to learn about and engage with pressing global issues. East and Horn of Africa Migration Dialogues are a perfect example of this commitment, and we are proud to partner with IOM to launch this important initiative,” she said.

Justin MacDermott, IOM Deputy Regional Director for East, and Horn of Africa noted that partnering with universities in the country is geared towards achieving set milestones as an organization.

“Students and the youth have a role to play in the future of migration. Events such as these enable us to achieve the goals in our Youth Strategy which include promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration for young people, increasing youth participation in migration policy and decision-making, building the capacity of young people to address migration challenges and opportunities and combatting negative attitudes towards migrants and promote tolerance and inclusion,” he said.

Mariam Rajab, an International Relations student at USIU-Africa spoke passionately about issues facing the youth today and the importance of including them in policy dialogues.

“We are future decision-makers on migration issues. By providing a platform to learn, discuss, and engage with experts and policymakers, IOM is fostering a deeper understanding of migration dynamics in the region, encouraging critical thinking and informed decision-making, and empowering us to advocate for positive change,” she said.

A number of similar dialogues are envisaged to take place in universities and institutions of higher learning across the region with the hope of encouraging students to take an active role in advocating for the rights of migrants, the regularization of migration, and promotion of policies that protect migrant workers’ rights.

The event is supported through IOM’s “Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM)” program which aims to enhance labour migration governance and protection of migrant workers and their family members’ human, social and labour rights and intra and inter-regional cooperation on a whole of government and whole of society approach.

-ENDS-

About IOM
Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. IOM is part of the United Nations system, as a related organization.

IOM supports migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and, as such, is a key source of advice on migration policy and practice. The organization works in emergency situations, developing the resilience of all people on the move, and particularly those in situations of vulnerability, as well as building capacity within governments to manage all forms and impacts of mobility.

The Organization is guided by the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including upholding human rights for all. Respect for the rights, dignity and well-being of migrants remains paramount.

Media Contacts:
Janet Adongo,
Regional Program Communication and Visibility Officer, IOM/UN Migration for East and Horn of Africa,
Email: jadongo@iom.int

February 3, 2023 Nairobi, Kenya…. Jubilee Insurance has today partnered with the United States International University–Africa (USIU-Africa) to launch a regional mentorship program that will help students better prepare for the workplace. The program is expected to impact 100 students from various disciplines this year with a targeted number of 300 students over the next three years.

The mentorship program will see USIU-Africa conduct free mentorship training to 50 Jubilee Insurance staff members from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The trained staff will in return offer free annual mentorship to the university students.

For years, the job market has relied on tertiary and university institutions to produce ready-to-work graduates for the job market. However, only 40 per cent of the students who complete technical training find employment. The high unemployment rate is largely attributed to lack of employability skills among graduates.

Many companies find that most young professionals lack basic soft skills required alongside technical competencies to succeed in the workplace. The World Economic Forum indicates that critical thinking and problem-solving top the list of skills employers believe will grow in prominence for the next five years.

There is an urgent need for graduates to develop social and emotional capabilities to close the current workforce gap and add value where machines fall short. Mentorship will equip students with soft skills and ethical etiquette required at work and life in general.

While commenting about the partnership launch, Jubilee Insurance Group CEO Dr. Julius Kipngetich noted that preparing graduates for the workplace requires joint responsibility between companies and learning institutions.

“Institutions of higher learning and corporates have a shared responsibility to ensure graduates and young professionals have the requisite skills for the workplace. Our partnership with USIU-Africa will provide one-on-one opportunities for students to get guidance on personal and career development from a pool of seasoned professionals and mentors,” said Dr. Kipngetich.

While speaking during the partnership launch, the Vice Chancellor, USIU-Africa, Professor Margee Ensign said that the mentorship program will be highly beneficial to students as they transition to the corporate world.

“Workplace preparation will require partnerships between academia and industry players. Our university is always seeking for strategic linkages to prepare our students for the competitive job market. Our partnership with Jubilee Insurance will bridge the employability gaps across the region and enable our students to learn from the best,” said Professor Ensign.

Jubilee Insurance Head of HR Ann Karanu noted that the company is committed to proactively support students and young professionals better understand and prepare for the workplace.

“For the past few years, we have been mentoring students from different universities. We believe that mentorship and job shadowing will enable young professionals hone their skills and improve their career trajectory. Our partnership with USIU-Africa will ensure students get an advance understanding of what is required of them as they transition from university,” said Ann.

The year-long mentorship program will target USIU-Africa students in both junior and senior years. The program will also create interactive opportunities for mentors and students to work through career development plans and create forums that expose students to workplace dynamics.

Jubilee Insurance has actively taken up mentorship for university students and young professionals. The company recently launched a monthly regional virtual mentorship program to enable students identify opportunities in the job market. In addition to the mentorship program, Jubilee Insurance will every month give a top student free annual access to the Jubilee Group Digital Academy. The platform provides over 3,000 digital courses, videos, books, and other e-learning material to enhance competencies and skills for greater personal effectiveness ad improvement.

-ENDS-

About Jubilee Insurance
Jubilee Insurance is the largest and leading insurer in East and Central Africa with presence in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Mauritius. The company, which is now celebrating 85 Years, was established in Mombasa in 1937 and was the first local insurer in Kenya. Jubilee Insurance is a full-suite insurer offering medical, life and pensions products. We also offer general insurance through our leading global partner -Allianz.

About USIU-Africa
USIU–Africa is one of Kenya's leading private universities, representing over 70 nationalities undertaking 35 Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral programs. It is the only University in the region with dual accreditation in Kenya by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Media Contacts:
Anne Njoroge
Tel: +254 715 674 247
Email: Anne.Njoroge@jubileekenya.com

Professor Margee Ensign
Vice Chancellor
Tel: +254 730 116 411
Email: vc@usiu.ac.ke

For immediate release
Kenya’s new Cyber Shujaa program targets to train 2,000 youth as cybersecurity experts

Wednesday, March 23, 2022, Nairobi, Kenya – The drive to grow the base of Kenya’s cyber security expertise received a major boost today when, for the first time, an industry-led training program to add 2,000 professionals was unveiled by USIU-Africa, Kenya Bankers Association and Serianu.

Known as Cyber Shujaa, the training program’s novelty is illustrated in the development and implementation of a harmonized cybersecurity employment framework linking the industry and the training institutions. It targets to bring 1,000 women on board as cybersecurity professionals and to support at least 30 young people as cybersecurity entrepreneurs.

Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the consortium members, the Vice Chancellor, USIU-Africa, Professor Freida Brown reiterated the University’s commitment to action research which calls for interventions and co-creation of knowledge with stakeholders.

“This project enhances our university-industry-government-civil society linkages to promote similar future partnerships. This project will brand itself to become a cybersecurity institute to offer a nationally recognized certification in the area of cybersecurity. Our Center Informatics Research and Innovation (CIRI) is striving to be a regional leader and a major player in cybersecurity issues on the continent in the next five years,” said Prof. Freida Brown.

While the dearth of skilled cyber security experts is a global challenge that experts say requires 2 million new practitioners, at the local level it is equally severe, with Serianu research showing that Kenya needs to hire at least 1,000 new experts annually.

“The shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals has become alarming. We recognized that a multi-agency approach to creating a pathway for learners to transition into the industry as practicing cybersecurity executives is key to bridging the local skills gap,” said William Makatiani, the Chief Executive Officer of Serianu.

Makatiani pointed out that the firm’s research had established that Kenya’s burden of burgeoning cybercrime, estimated at Kshs 10 billion in annual losses, was exacerbated by a severe lack of sufficient well-trained cybersecurity executives.

“With more women taking up ICT courses at the tertiary learning institutions, we are convinced that the partnership we have founded with USIU-Africa and Kenya Bankers Association will accelerate the growth of our national cyber professional expert base,” added Makatiani. The firm found in its 2019 cybersecurity survey that only 10 per cent of practicing cyber security professionals are women, yet they are immensely interest in pursuing the career.

Through the consortium, Kenya Bankers Association will provide the market intelligence that informs the curriculum development, USIU-Africa will design the curriculum and ensure the youth are at the heart of the program while Serianu will provide the technical training and practical immersion.

Outlining the industry practical fit for the program, Kenya Bankers Chief Executive Officer Dr. Habil Olaka said that the financial services sector was a key interested party in its success owing to the nature of their business and the fact that it touches every sphere of the economy.

“While the uptake of these platforms continues to support financial inclusion across demographics, cases of digital fraud have also increased. Increasingly, fraudsters continue to target vulnerable users through identity theft, social engineering, and phishing emails, among other forms of fraud that exploit low levels of awareness on the part of consumers. The evolving fraud trends threaten gains that have been achieved in the economy over the past decades, making it necessary for stakeholders to work together towards containing it,” said Dr. Olaka.

This partnership provides a unique approach to capacity building and skills development where there is a direct relationship between the content that the students are taught and where the financial sector’s present and future needs lie,” added Dr. Olaka. He noted that as technology evolves rapidly, a tripartite education and training approach for speedy skilling and placement will reduce the economy’s exposure to marauding cybercriminals who are undeterred by geographical boundaries.

“As the umbrella body of commercial banks, the Kenya Bankers Association remains committed to applying innovative solutions to security challenges and will continue to engage on partnerships that seek to deliver value to our stakeholders, the banking public and the economy at large,” added Dr. Olaka.
#ENDS

About USIU-Africa
USIU-Africa is one of the leading private Universities in Kenya, representing over 70 nationalities undertaking 35 Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral programs. It is the only University in the region with dual accreditation in Kenya by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). https://www.usiu.ac.ke

About Kenya Bankers Association
Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) is the financial sector's leading advocacy group and the umbrella body of the institutions licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) with a current membership of 47 financial institutions. KBA continues to reinforce a reputable and professional banking sector in a bid to best support Kenyans, who entrust their ambitions and hard-earned resources with its member banks.

About Serianu
Serianu is Africa’s foremost cyber security consulting and training firm. Founded 10 years ago in Kenya, the firm today operates across East, South and West Africa, working with clients to use their information assets to save money, reduce risk and to discover and realize new opportunities for their business through deeper insights of customers, markets and performance.

Media Contacts
United States International University-Africa
Paula Musuva, Lecturer, Forensic Information Technology
Phone: +254 730 116 152
Email: pmusuva@usiu.ac.ke

Kenya Bankers Association
Dr. Habil Olaka, CEO
Phone: +254 20 222 1704 /222 4014 /222 4015 /221 7757
Email: HOlaka@Kba.co.ke

Serianu Limited
Brencil Kaimba
Phone: +254 716 137 017
Email: brencil.kaimba@serianu.com

For Immediate Release

Nairobi, July 14, 2020: USIU-Africa and the Mastercard Foundation today announced a partnership that will enable 1,000 high-performing students to receive quality education and leadership development over the next 10 years under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The partnership provides scholarships for high potential students facing financial, gender, displacement, or disability constraints. At least 70 percent of the young people who benefit from the partnership will be young women, while 25 percent will be displaced or refugee youth, and at least 10 percent will be young people living with disabilities. With this USD 63.2 million partnership, USIU-Africa joins the Foundation’s expanding global network of partners committed to developing a generation of African leaders who will use their knowledge and skills to lead change in their communities, and contribute to meaningful transformation across the continent.

Speaking after the signing of the partnership, USIU-Africa’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Zeleza noted that the partnership was a milestone in the University’s history.

“With the support of the Mastercard Foundation, we look forward to significantly expanding the impact and reach that USIU-Africa has had all across the world, by moulding students who will catalyze Africa’s continued advancement into a better, brighter future. By embracing the Scholars Program, we will increase the international student population from 15 percent to 20 percent which is in line with the university’s strategy of internationalization. Also, the Scholars Program will enhance socio-economic diversity of the student population as it will increase the number of students with disability, refugees, young women and displaced youth to address barriers to higher education for these marginalized populations,” he said.

Mastercard Foundation’s Chief Program Officer, Peter Materu, is excited to onboard USIU-Africa as a partner in the Scholars Program, noting the university’s excellent academic standing and demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.

“For close to a decade, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has worked in Africa, through initiatives like Wings to Fly and direct partnerships with educational organizations at the secondary and tertiary levels, to enable young people from disadvantaged communities to access quality learning and develop their leadership potential. Our partnership with USIU-Africa builds on this historic work, which is already serving thousands of young leaders on the continent. Fundamentally, it is about expanding opportunity to all young people, irrespective of their socio-economic background,” he said.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is an initiative to develop Africa’s next generation of leaders by giving students, whose talent and promise exceed their financial resources, an opportunity to complete their education. Through the Program, Scholars receive holistic student support, including comprehensive scholarships, leadership development, and access to internships and industry-driven career services. The Scholars Program is a growing commitment and to date, the Program has committed over USD 1 billion to supporting the education and leadership development of more than 37,000 young people.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa is expected to kick off in the 2020/2021 Academic Year.

//Ends

Notes for editors

1. Interviews

To arrange, please contact:

Prof. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza

Vice Chancellor, USIU-Africa

Email: vc@usiu.ac.ke

Tel: +254 730 116 411/412

Helen White

Strategy Lead, Program Communications

Mastercard Foundation

+27 76 166 5372

hwhite@mastercardfdn.org

2. About USIU-Africa

USIU–Africa is one of the leading private Universities in Kenya representing over 70 nationalities undertaking 29 Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral programs and it is the only university in the region with dual accreditation in Kenya by the Commission for University (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

3. About the Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management. For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.mastercardfdn.org

The Mastercard Foundation, United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa), and Arizona State University (ASU) have announced the launch of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program e-Learning Initiative, which over the next five years will enable more than 600,000 university students to successfully pursue their studies online, from anywhere across Africa.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many universities, including those within the Scholars Program network, to suspend face-to-face classes and pivot to online learning. Building on what was learned during the disruption, this initiative will increase the investments that have already been made and strengthen the existing capacity of university partners to deliver high-quality, relevant, and inclusive e-learning courses. It will increase the number of young people accessing tertiary level education, particularly those living with disabilities, young women, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and those living in rural areas. More than that, it will contribute to an e-learning community of practice in Africa, and beyond, that will enable collaborative learning and sharing of best practices, and resources.

“This agreement will bolster our e-learning capacity-building alongside 10 other participating international universities and strengthen the Scholars Program partner universities to deliver high-quality and inclusive online instruction and provide virtual support to all students,” said Professor Freida Brown, Interim Vice Chancellor, USIU-Africa. “It will also support the development of a community of practice in e-learning.”

During the first phase of the program (2020 to 2022), 135 faculty and staff from across 10 partner institutions will be trained to design and deliver online courses, and an estimated 95,000 students will access online learning. In the second phase (2022 to 2025), the number of online learners will grow to more than 600,000 and the initiative will be scaled to include new partners and institutions that are not currently part of the Scholars Program network.

Arizona State University (ASU), a leader in the space of e-learning, will serve as Lead Trainer, providing foundational training to the faculty and staff and conducting a series of tiered leadership roundtables and learning sessions. As the Network Facilitator, USIU-Africa, which was one of the first institutions in East Africa to successfully transition 90 percent of its programming online, will contextualize the content for an African setting and facilitate engagement and learning across the network. The Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning will play a key role, hosting a shared Content Management System that will curate content from participating universities within the Partner network. The Centre will also provide support to those institutions interested in developing in-house e-learning resource centres.

The initiative is aligned with the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy and the vision for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to create a transformative network of young people and institutions driving inclusive and equitable socio-economic change in Africa. This initiative will connect young people to educational content that is relevant and context specific through a curriculum that reflects labour market realities, includes courses on transformative leadership and ethics, and prioritizes mental health and well-being. Students will successfully acquire knowledge and be able to fully engage with faculty and course work in a supportive online environment.

COVID-19 provided the impetus to rethink how we conceptualize and deliver education. Digitally-enabled learning is the wave of the future,” said Philip Cotton, Director, Human Capital Development, Mastercard Foundation. “But for everyone to benefit from this trend, we have to act now to ensure that all young people – irrespective of their background or location— are able to access work-relevant training conveniently and affordably. A big part of that is strengthening the capacity of higher education institutions to deliver online learning.”

Arizona State University is bound not by geography, but by principles,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “Our focus is on student success and embracing technology to expand not only the quality of learning but access to education and thus our embrace of digital education. We are eager to take our work to a new level as part of this collaboration with USIU-Africa and the Mastercard Foundation to build online learning systems in Africa that are resilient to future shocks and customized to meet the individual needs of learners, anywhere on the continent.”

The initiative is aligned with the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy and the vision for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to create a transformative network of young people and institutions driving inclusive and equitable socio-economic change in Africa. This initiative will connect young people to educational content that is relevant and context specific through a curriculum that reflects labour market realities, includes courses on transformative leadership and ethics, and prioritizes mental health and well-being. Students will successfully acquire knowledge and be able to fully engage with faculty and course work in a supportive online environment.

COVID-19 provided the impetus to rethink how we conceptualize and deliver education. Digitally-enabled learning is the wave of the future,” said Philip Cotton, Director, Human Capital Development, Mastercard Foundation. “But for everyone to benefit from this trend, we have to act now to ensure that all young people – irrespective of their background or location— are able to access work-relevant training conveniently and affordably. A big part of that is strengthening the capacity of higher education institutions to deliver online learning.

Since training began in July 2021, the 135 e-Learning Champions have commenced their learning journey by completing the two-week virtual Master Class for Teaching Online with ASU and have advanced to the next phase, which includes Specialized Coaching tracks in Instructional Design and Online Pedagogy with USIU-Africa.

The partners participating in the first phase of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program e-Learning initiative are:

• African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
• American University of Beirut
• Ashesi University
• EARTH University
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
• Makerere University
• United States International University-Africa
• University of Abomey-Calavi
• University of Gondar
• University of Rwanda

For immediate release

OVER 1,500 STUDENTS GRADUATE AT USIU-AFRICA’S 43RD COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Nairobi, Saturday, September 25, 2021 - A total of 1,517 students graduated today during USIU-Africa’s 43rd Commencement Ceremony, marking the first physical graduation held at the University since the beginning of the pandemic. The graduands included 1,135 Undergraduate, 351 Masters and 14 Doctoral students, with the first cohorts of students from the Film Production and Directing and Marriage and Family Therapy programs also graduating.

In his remarks read on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary of Health, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, the CAS at the Ministry of Health, noted that the Commencement ceremony was a notable milestone, on account of the fact that it was held during the ongoing pandemic.

“We are able to come together because various vaccine developers and regulatory experts have worked round the clock to ensure that we continue with our lives as they sacrifice to find a lasting solution to this pandemic. When the first COVID-19 case was reported here in Kenya, the Government took drastic containment measures in order to manage its spread,” she said.

“The education sector has adjusted its approach during these difficult times by providing solutions and designing protocols that have ensured that our children continue with their learning safely. I commend USIU-Africa for its foresight and investment in online learning infrastructure, which resulted in flexibility and instant continuity; an admirable achievement that other institutions should emulate for the future. The commitment and efforts that the university has put in place to implement phased re-opening demonstrates that the safety of its students, faculty and staff is a key priority,” she added.

In her comments, the Interim Vice Chancellor, Prof. Freida Brown, noted that the University was consistently working to ensure that its students received a cutting-edge, international education.

“The higher education landscape is changing rapidly, and the University has remained adaptable, while remaining committed to its core mandate of academic teaching and learning to produce the next generation of leaders, and knowledge that will be impactful to society. Over the years, we have made several investments that have ensured that USIU-Africa has stayed ahead of the curve, including continued investment in our ICT infrastructure, which enabled us to make a seamless transition into remote learning, which has now transitioned into hybrid learning from the current Fall semester,” she said.

Prof. Brown ended her remarks by urging the students to abide by the values that they had learned while at USIU-Africa.

“Over its fifty-two-year history, USIU-Africa has consistently aspired to be the best, and to give its students the best. As you graduate today, I urge you to similarly aspire for excellence not only through the pursuit of knowledge that will illuminate your future, but also by looking at your past and drawing lessons and inspiration from the challenges that you may have faced,” she noted.

Over the past year, the University has made several improvements to its academic offering, including the introduction of five new programs, namely: Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics, Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering, and a PhD. in Information Systems and Technology, Bachelor of Technology in Analytical Chemistry and Bachelor of Science in Applied Biochemistry.

The University has also obtained membership into Quality Matters (QM), an organization which helps academic institutions to deliver quality online learning through a collaborative and collegial process centered on continuous improvement, which helps institutions achieve their quality assurance goals for online teaching and learning. In another ground-breaking move in support of online learning at the University, the Mastercard Foundation and Arizona State University recently signed an agreement with the University to bolster its e-learning capacity-building alongside 21 other participating international universities. The initiative prioritizes eleven African institutions, Earth University in Costa Rica and American University of Beirut to address areas of instructional design and pedagogy as well as content development for online teaching and learning.

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Watch the recorded 43rd Commencement Ceremony via YouTube here:

Dear USIU-Africa Community,

It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that I, on behalf of the United States International University – Africa (USIU-Africa) University Council and Board, announce the departure of Vice Chancellor Prof. Margee Ensign after her one-year tenure. Prof. Ensign has been faced with personal medical challenges related to the altitude in Nairobi, and her doctors have advised her that she cannot live and work here.

During her brief but impactful time with us, Prof. Ensign demonstrated unwavering commitment, passion, and vision, leaving a lasting impression on our institution. Her dedication and hard work have yielded remarkable achievements, including:

1. An increase in enrollment of 562 new students compared to the same period last year, thanks to her leadership in coordinating Open Day initiatives, school visits, international recruitment activities, and additional investments in marketing.
2. A reinvigorated 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, tailored to address the most pressing global and national challenges, as well as disruptions in higher education.
3. The implementation of a new organizational structure aligned with the Strategic Plan’s key performance indicators, with the recruitment process for senior leadership positions nearing completion.
4. A strong advocate for additional scholarships under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, as well as for students with disabilities and the e-learning initiative.
5. The successful launch of the USIU-Africa Brand Store.
6. The establishment of the Center for Executive Education, with new programs scheduled to commence in September 2023.
7. Meaningful engagement with our Alumni, domestically and internationally, fostering stronger connections and long-term networks.
8. Community outreach initiatives, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations within the university vicinity and demonstrating her commitment to supporting those in need.

Prof. Ensign’s outstanding leadership, effective teamwork, and ability to collaborate with various stakeholders both internally and externally have nurtured a positive and productive work environment, promoting a sense of unity (‘We are One’) among all. Her innovative ideas and unique perspectives consistently brought fresh insights to the university, and her commitment to excellence set a high standard for all who interacted with her.

We are deeply grateful and honored to have had Prof. Ensign as a part of our community. She demonstrated that nothing is impossible, consistently handling challenges with efficiency and effectiveness.

As we bid farewell to Prof. Ensign, the entire USIU-Africa Community would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes for her future endeavors.

To ensure continuity and effective leadership, Dr. Lola Odubekun will serve as the interim Vice Chancellor effective September 1, 2023. Dr. Odubekun is a member of the USIU-Africa University Council and has also served as Chair in the past. She is a social scientist with a professional background in law and over 25 years of high-level experience in criminal justice research, advocacy, and grants management. We anticipate the process of searching for a substantive replacement to begin in the coming months.

Thank you all for your understanding and support during this transitional period.

If you have any questions or need further clarification you may send an email to ucchair@usiu.ac.ke or vc@usiu.ac.ke.

Signed..

Kris Senanu
Chair, University Council

Good morning everyone.

Greetings to the class of 2022 and congratulations. Welcome to the members of the Board of Trustees, to our Chancellor, the Chairman of the University Council and members of the University Council, our honored speaker and all our honored guests.

Welcome and thank you to the faculty and staff of USIU-Africa for your hard work and your dedication to our mission: the education of the future leaders of this country, of Africa, and of the world.

Welcome to the families and sponsors of these fine new almost graduates, and thank you all for your support and for your enormous generosity which has made this day possible.

And please join me in giving our deepest thanks on behalf of all of USIU-Africa to someone who has had the vision, strength, commitment and resilience to guide this great institution for many decades. Of course, I am speaking of Professor Freida Brown-I ask you to please stand and join me in thanking her for all her devotion and vision and many accomplishments. She deserves so much more.
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Make no mistake about it class of 2022.

You are the future, our future, the continent and the world’s.

And to face, and to build that future… you students have been educated here at USIU-Africa with the knowledge, skills, leadership qualities and attitudes to solve problems and to help us all forge better societies and a better world.

It is becoming clearer every day that we are living in an unprecedented and challenging epoch in human history. The future will demand much of us all.
As students of Kenya’s premier university, you chose to come to a place where we sought to cultivate in you, and in ourselves, adaptability, flexibility, creativity, courage and resilience. And you epitomize that courage and resilience.

A place where we share a clear-eyed but a hopeful view of the future.

A place where cooperation, innovation and responsibility towards one another informs-- must inform-- all that we do.

This is difficult and challenging work…..

Hard work to understand the complex issues we all face, the obstacles that stand between us and a more just and peaceful society and world.

Hard work to come up with ways to create a more equitable and certainly a more sustainable world.

The challenges you will face as you leave us today—Climate change, global poverty, hunger and unemployment, lack of access to healthcare, conflict and a war, will be complex, demanding, sometimes exhausting.

But I believe the very future of our humanity is at stake.

The future will demand much of you, but I believe you can face that future with its challenges, face that future with confidence. For I believe in this university, that’s why I came here. I believe in you as its proud graduates, and I believe in you as the promising future of this continent and of the world.
Because it is for just such a future and its challenges that you have been preparing yourselves here at USIU-Africa. Here at one of the finest universities in Africa.

So I beg of you never to shirk. Never to give way to exhaustion, to an easy cynicism, or to despair. Never…Never give up hope. And always--always to work for the common good. Always.

The world needs you. It needs your creativity, your strength, your hearts, and your minds and your hard work.

USIU-Africa Class of 2022--Reach high. Work hard. Commit to the common good. Help to forge a future we can all take pride in.

We believe in you; we will miss you, but you will always be a member of USIU-Africa.

Congratulations!

WELCOME REMARKS BY THE INTERIM VICE CHANCELLOR, DR. LOLA ODUBEKUN DURING THE “LINDA MTOTO RESEARCH PROJECT” COLLBORATIVE AGREEMENT SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI (UON), THE FREE PENTECOSTAL FELLOWSHIP OF KENYA (FPFK) AND THE UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-AFRICA (USIU-AFRICA) HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024, SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES ROOFTOP, USIU-AFRICA

Preamble
Honorable Vice Chancellors, Members of the University Governing Bodies, Management Councils, and Faculty; Esteemed Donors; Research Partners, Graduate and Undergraduate Researchers and Students; Ladies and Gentlemen:
All protocols observed.

Welcome and significance of the collaboration
Good morning and welcome to the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa). It is a great pleasure and an honor to have you all here this morning for this significant Collaborative Agreement Signing Ceremony which brings higher education research institutions together with the technical capacity-building expertise and practical outreach of a values oriented not-for-profit, community-based organization, to enhance child protection, in Busia County, along the Kenya-Uganda border over 5 years.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Professor Stephen Kiama, and other esteemed senior leaders from the University. Your presence here underscores the importance of collaboration and shared goals in the academy and your regard for this project in particular. It is one that seeks to address the devastating impacts of gaps in societal responses to harms against children that include: trafficking in children; sexual assault against minors; forced labor; forced marriage; and even physical assault and violence—in the name of “discipline”—that results in the physical maiming and often the death of the children and young people on the receiving end.

A special acknowledgment also, to Bishop John Kitur, the General Secretary of the Free Pentecostal Fellowship of Kenya, which has driven several important child protection initiatives over the years with the distinguished senior leadership of the FPFK. We are a non-sectarian, private higher education institution that educates the whole person for leadership and impactful community service.

We are grateful for your sponsorship and your partnership in this meaningful endeavor. The focus areas of FPFK’s Department of Social Development, which include among other areas: economic empowerment and resilient livelihoods, human rights, gender and social inclusion, peacebuilding and governance, are very much in line with our course offerings and the subject matter expertise of USIU-Africa faculty.

In that regard, I would also like to recognize and appreciate the USIU-Africa team and colleagues. Dr. Mercy Kaburu (Assistant Professor, International Relations) has worked tirelessly in serving as our key representative for this collaboration along with Dean School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Josephine Arasa, Professor Martin Njoroge, DVC-Academics, Transformative Teaching, Learning and Research, Professor Amos Njuguna, Senior Researcher, Office of Research, Grants and Contracts, Mr. Carol Yogo, Lawyer and child protection expert Vanessa Cordeiro-Williams, and several others. Thank you, all, for your dedication and commitment to the topic of child protection and the success of this collaboration.

Each partner brings unique strengths and perspectives to the table, creating a robust foundation for collaborative research and community engagement that will see the successful implementation of the Linda Mtoto Project. A key outcome will be the creation of lasting solutions and ending the multi-generational transmission of trauma resulting from violence experienced during childhood.

The potential reach of the project in human terms, is vast. By using participatory strategies that engage the communities involved we seek to enhance partnerships that bring involved communities fully onboard in addressing the issues, increasing understanding and knowledge toward harm prevention, and ensuring children’s access to health, a quality education, and the ability to pursue a life of meaningful contribution to society.

The Linda Mtoto project holds immense significance, not only for our institutions but for the broader context of Kenya and Africa. By combining our academic prowess and the FPFK's on-the-ground presence, we aim to create lasting positive change in the lives of children who in turn will grow up to strengthen our communities.

It is important to note that one of the contributions of this project is the provision of financial assistance to masters and doctoral students interested in conducting research related to child abuse and protection at USIU-Africa and UoN. This initiative aligns with our strategic mission at USIU-Africa of fostering academic excellence, social responsibility, and solving difficult global problems.

I hope that the signing of this Collaborative Agreement is not just a one-time event but signifies the beginning of a sustained partnership for the good of children and young people.

In closing, I want to express my gratitude to everyone present here today. Your commitment to this collaborative venture speaks volumes about our collective dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of our vulnerable but highly resilient children and young people and their communities. It also challenges us to recognize our role in doing more for positive practical outcomes using with the expertise we have.

We invite our esteemed visitors to take a few minutes after the ceremony, to explore our campus and begin to get to know us better as we embark together on this journey of collaboration and positive change in protecting children.

Once more, welcome!

Thank you.

Board of Trustees, The Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria, University Council, The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Zeleza, University Senate, The Management Board, Faculty, students, staff and alumni present

Parents and guardians, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good Morning

I would like to begin by welcoming you to USIU-Africa’s 41^st commencement ceremony. I feel honored to have been invited by my Alma Mater as the Chief Guest for this year’s commencement ceremony. It is indeed a beautiful day for us to be commissioning the new graduands into the industry, ready and eager to make a difference in the world. Congratulations to each and every one in the Class of 2019.

It is even a greater honor to speak words of hope and inspire all of you that first, you are in the right place and second, there are even greater things that lie ahead of you. What an honor to be doing so as USIU-Africa celebrates its 50^th Anniversary and renews its unmatched commitment to remain an institution of academic excellence. The University Council and entire administration’s strategic direction in shaping the growth path of this institution has had remarkable impact on the continent of Africa, which is quite evident today. When you survey the landscape of Africa you will meet many USIU-Africa alumni who are playing a significant role in transforming lives and society and I have and do meet many across the World today. Our role today is to usher these brilliant men and women to join the very formidable force that is turning the wheels of our continent and the making a difference to the whole world.

Dear Graduands, how many of you believe in luck?

Anyone? By show of hands? Perhaps no one or very few.

I personally believe there is luck, only that it happens to those who are prepared.

A Roman philosopher reminds us that ‘Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.’

The difference between lucky and unlucky people is all in our perspective. It is all in the lenses we wear and how differently we see the circumstances that unfold before us. What your professors have done to you in the last couple of years was ensuring that you are prepared. They have empowered and equipped you with the lenses to see hope, to wear confidence and have the authority to make a difference in whatever you do and whichever places you will set foot upon.

Luck is not just being at the right place at the right time, but also about being open to and ready for new opportunities. You will create your own luck and the university has helped with this, by changing your perspectives. Good fortunes are waiting and these will come to be, if and only if you create and notice new opportunities, make lucky decisions by listening to your intuition, create self-fulfilling prophesies by having positive expectations and having a resilient attitude. Knowing yourself, staying grounded, having self-awareness while scripting your own story, having an iron will, and always using humility which is a non-negotiable so that you keep listening and embracing lifelong learning despite all the wonderful success that comes your way.

Ladies and Gentlemen

I remember sitting in the same position as these young graduands during the 1980 USIU commencement ceremony waiting to receive my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Back then, we were only a handful number of graduands at the KICC with butterflies in our stomachs eagerly waiting for this important rite of passage and a mindset of “Yote-ya-wezekana” which in English means everything is possible. I cannot remember what was going through my mind at that time but I was very excited about the possibilities that were waiting for me. I knew that I wanted to be a job creator, which was my way of making an impact. I stand here in awe of the progress that USIU-Africa has made in the last 39 years since I graduated with the magnificent campus and facilities it offers today.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Kenya and the world is increasingly graduating and injecting fresh graduates into the job market. You are all eagerly looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead of you. As you know, the great opportunities that are ahead also come with a myriad of challenges. Your success will be determined by how you view and handle these challenges and create them all into opportunities for in my language every challenge is an opportunity waiting to be discovered!

The work environment is being redefined daily and a lot is rapidly changing. What the industry and the modern-day consumer is looking for in skills is no longer what we had in the 80’s. Whichever workstation you will be at will only be your base, the Planet Earth will be your playing ground. Competitiveness is the new way of doing things and value creation is all that matters. Are we geared up for this? Becoming the best employers and leaders will mean you will have to work your way up; this is the only Non-negotiable. You have already bought the ticket and it will now be time to win the lottery.

It has also become increasingly important for graduating students to chart their own paths and become job creators as opposed to job seekers. Those who graduate with the mindset to be employed approach life differently from those who graduate with a passion to be job creators. The results are visible within a very short time.

Based on the challenges I have observed over the years, I implore universities to go the extra mile and ensure that they are preparing the next generation of leaders who are sufficiently prepared to contribute significantly whether as employees or as employers. I highly commend USIU-Africa for going the extra mile to ensure that it increases the employability of its graduates by implementing several pathbreaking initiatives. By establishing initiatives such as the AppFactory, the only one in Kenya and the 14^th one in Africa in partnership with Microsoft, the Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Program supported by the Devki Group, the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project in partnership with the World Bank, the Coding for Employment Center of Excellence through the African Development Bank, the Innovation and Incubation Centre at USIU-Africa, the Social Media Lab (SimeLab) supported by the American Embassy allow students to develop and hone their skills before entering the job market.

An inspiring story of one Robert Otieno Apiyo, who is an alumnus of USIU-Africa and now a renowned radio presenter and producer for the Voice of America in Washington DC is one to pick a lot of learnings from. Chosen as a radio host when USIU Radio was started, he took the opportunity to sharpen his skills and most importantly, to shape his beliefs and attitude from interacting with people from all walks of life.

Robert’s consistent urge to learn, explore new tact and the never-say-die attitude has seen him established at the top; even when he was rejected as a starter back in the years past.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The work place is already experiencing significant shifts and we must adapt to that change. A majority of jobs being created are in emerging fields, particularly in the ICT sector. According to the World Economic Forum, four specific technological advances—ubiquitous high-speed mobile internet; Artificial Intelligence; widespread adoption of Big Data Analytics; and cloud technology—are set to dominate the next four years as drivers positively affecting business growth. As more young people continue to enter the job markets, these are the key areas we must innovate in order to stay relevant. Each one of you have devices that you hold in your hands all the time and that have empowered you to be as equal to if not better than the global best in technology.

The World Economic Forum further highlights these new areas to include increasing adoption of new technology, increasing availability of big data and data science, advances in mobile internet, advances in Artificial Intelligence, advances in cloud technology, shifts in national Economic Growth, expansion of affluence in developing economies, expansion of education, advances in new renewable and innovative energy supplies and technologies and expansion of the middle class. These shifts are going to dramatically change how we live in Africa and also do business in the next five to ten years and we need to continuously invest our time and resources in them.

Ladies and Gentlemen

According to the United Nations, the number of youth in Africa aged between 15-24 years will be more than 250 million by 2020 and they will be the new entrepreneur’s and job creators of tomorrow. Most of these young people are already running their businesses as was revealed in the 2019 Forbes Africa Top 30 under 30 list of entrepreneurs who range between ages 21 and 29. This inspiring group of driven, young entrepreneurs have already left a mark in the world and are changing how business is done in Africa both in the services and manufacturing worlds but also in the social pillars of healthcare and education and infrastructure.

In the spirit of celebrating USIU-Africa at fifty, I would like to share a few tips that have helped me in my own journey as an entrepreneur. It will not be easy but it will be worth it.

Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria, University Council, Interim Vice Chancellor, Prof. Freida Brown, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Margee Ensign, University Senate, Management Board, Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni present.
Parents and Guardians, the Graduating Class of 2022, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good Morning
I would like to begin by welcoming you to USIU-Africa’s 44th commencement ceremony and it is indeed a great honor and privilege to be speaking at this great and much anticipated ceremony.

This graduation ceremony comes at a special time as the University celebrates its 53 year anniversary; a journey that begun in the United States of America to this institution we see here today. The university boasts of an illustrious history of high quality, broad-based education that ensures each student acquires an international education in a multi-cultural environment with global exposure that distinguishes them in the marketplace. It is also a special moment in history as the University welcomes Professor Margee Ensign as the new Vice Chancellor, and I take this opportunity to also welcome her to USIU-Africa and to Kenya.

Ladies and Gentlemen
We all witnessed as the world was upended by the Coronavirus pandemic but what we did not anticipate is the sheer will of human beings to pivot and turn this challenge into an opportunity. Various sectors of the economy learned how to adjust and I would like to share with you a few key learnings which will likely characterize the future of education, more specifically, Higher Education.

According to a report published by KPMG in 2020 titled ‘the Future of Higher Education in a Disruptive World’, the Golden Age for Universities has passed and disruption is underway. The report proposes four components which will determine institutional success.
The first component is strategy. It is important to start thinking of what the future looks like for universities and how they will execute their core mandate. This will look differently for different universities. We have started to see Universities offer online degrees, students are increasingly yearning for shorter degree programs, and there is an increase for on-demand learning. These are just examples of how strategy will determine how Universities will operate in the future.

The second component is technology. The report indicates that technology will form a large part of how teaching and learning will be delivered in the future. Universities need to make investments in technology which will enable them continue to serve their clients and achieve their goals even when faced by major disruptions.

The third component is capabilities which is a mix of insight-driven strategies and actions coupled with an aligned and empowered workforce, and innovative products and services. The report clearly asserts that: “The quality of personalized student learning will be key to institutional success.”

And the final component is operating model. Many universities have had to go back to the drawing board and ask themselves the critical questions as to why they exist. Universities will have to work very hard to attract and retain students and this is the time to realign.

And now, to the Class of 2022
The workplace has undergone major transformations in the last two and a half years. Most people had to upskill, reskill and retrain in order to adapt to the changing times. Apart from the foundational skills you have acquired throughout your educational journey, research shows that there are soft skills you require in order to prepare for the future of work. A study conducted by Mastercard Foundation in 2020 highlights these other skills as:

• Digital skills – It is the knowledge of and capability to engage with digital technologies for social, political and economic purposes.
• 21st century skills – These include an understanding of innovative processes, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and collaboration that are useful in life and on the job.
• Entrepreneurship skills are described as problem solving, creativity, communication and perseverance associated with financial literacy and business management.
• Work-readiness skills – These include the ability to find and succeed in work including networking and job seeking.

The Global Trends for Youth, 2020, published by the International Labor Organization established that young people are spending more time in education, which is critical in ensuring that the future labor force will be better skilled and able to cope with the transformations in the world of work brought about by new technologies and unprecedented disruptions. It further recommends that technology can be used to improve training and promote youth entrepreneurship and self-employment.

I would like to laud USIU-Africa for its role in preparing these graduates, ready to infuse new ideas into the job market not only to find jobs but to create jobs, and build enterprises.

This is a truly defining moment for each and every one of you. You have worked hard to get to where you are today, it did not matter the challenges you faced, you just had to get it done and get to the finish line. You did and you did it well.
Congratulations to each and every one in the Class of 2022.
Thank You.

Delivered by Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, CAS, Ministry of Health

The Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria, the University Council, the interim Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Freida Brown, the Management Board, the University Senate, Faculty, Staff and Alumni present, Parents and Guardians, the Graduating Class of 2021, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good Morning,
I feel greatly honored and privileged to be the Chief Guest at this 43rd Commencement Ceremony.

USIU-Africa is my Alma Mater and therefore I am delighted to deliver this speech to you today and to witness the enormous progress that this prestigious university has achieved over the years. As USIU-Africa celebrates 52 years of existence, we continue to see the unrelenting vision to provide holistic education to its students. From being the Nairobi campus of USIU-San Diego to becoming one of the leading private universities in Kenya today, USIU-Africa has over the years improved its education facilities; from ICT accessibility to learning tools such as Blackboard that facilitate online teaching and learning, e-learning resources in the library and modern learning spaces that are set up to optimize learning and knowledge sharing.

Ladies and Gentlemen
It is indeed a big milestone today as we converge here during this Commencement Ceremony amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; this being the second Commencement Ceremony to be held during these unprecedented times. We are able to come together because various vaccine developers and regulatory experts have worked round the clock to ensure that we continue with our lives as they sacrifice to find a lasting solution to this pandemic. When the first COVID-19 case was reported here in Kenya, the Government took drastic containment measures in order to manage its spread. The education sector was hardest hit; the economic Survey Report of 2020 published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that this affected over 17 million enrolled learners across the country which led to losses in learning and increased dropout rates. Globally, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established that school closures impacted close to 90 percent of the world’s student population with over 1.2 billion children and youth not able to attend school. This had adverse effects on children’s growth and their development milestones as has been highlighted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). But we have seen the education sector adjust its schedule during these difficult times by providing solutions and designing protocols that have ensured that our children continue with their learning safely.

I am impressed that USIU-Africa was among the first institutions to immediately pivot to online teaching and learning which has seen the delivery of quality education to thousands of students. This I understand was made possible due to the robust ICT infrastructure currently in place that ensured that students attended classes and even sat for their exams online. I commend USIU-Africa for this foresight in investment which resulted in flexibility and instant continuity; an admirable achievement that other institutions should emulate for the future. The commitment and efforts that the university has put in place to implement phased re-opening demonstrates that the safety of its students, faculty and staff is a key priority.

Ladies and Gentlemen
All is not lost as we progressively turn the curve as far as this pandemic is concerned. We are grateful for the milestones that have been achieved but there is a lot more that needs to be done particularly on the African continent before we return to normalcy. We are witnessing western countries successfully inoculating their populations in large numbers while data from the World Health Organization estimates that less than 2 percent of Africa’s population of 1.3 billion has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
This vaccine inequality is an opportunity for us in Africa to make a difference and I am specifically challenging universities in Africa to develop programs in emerging fields and conduct cutting-edge research especially in medicine that will develop and supply our own vaccines. The strength of any university is in its research productivity and I urge African universities to come together and pool resources to ensure that we effectively fight this and future pandemics.

We already have one initiative that is currently running. In 2020, Kenya started conducting trials of the Oxford Coronavirus vaccine through its Kilifi based KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, a collaboration between KEMRI, the University of Oxford and the Wellcome Trust in the United Kingdom. We look forward to a positive outcome of these trials, and we will make an announcement once the vaccine is declared safe for administration.

We at the Ministry of Health are open to Public Private Partnerships that will progress the collective efforts towards fighting this pandemic. I am aware that USIU-Africa through its School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has started several projects aimed at joining in this fight: -

• To complement the Ministry of Health’s efforts in COVID-19 pandemic management, the School has launched a short course on Immunization and Vaccines Management in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya for capacity building of healthcare providers to enhance safe and effective deployment of vaccines.
• To support the government on regulatory issues of medicines particularly generic drugs, the School is at an advanced stage of setting up centers of excellence such as center of bioavailability and bioequivalence studies for evaluation of pharmaceuticals and herbal medicine products.
• Also, the School’s leading professors in collaboration with experts from government agencies including KEMRI, Pharmacy & Poisons Board and Kenyatta University Hospital have developed a natural product based supplement that is currently under review for application on home-based COVID-19 patient care. We applaud these efforts and I encourage you my Alma Mater to continue being at the frontline of fighting this pandemic.

And finally, to the Class of 2021
I cannot begin to imagine what you have gone through in the last year and a half. Most of you completed your final year during this pandemic; you are the true definition of resilience. We are proud to be commissioning you into the industry, ready and eager to make a difference in the world.

When I stood here a couple of years ago to receive my Master’s Degree, it was a day filled with opportunity and hope and I believe that it is the same for you today. I applaud your great achievements and especially your parents, guardians and the faculty who sacrificed to take you through university during one of the most difficult economic times. I encourage you to forge on, this is not the end, and your journey has just begun!

Congratulations to each and every one in the graduating Class of 2021.
Thank You.

The University Council
The Board of Trustees
Management Board
The Vice-Chancellor,
Prof. Paul Zeleza
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Afternoon

I am delighted to join USIU-Africa as it launches the Institute of Higher Education, Research and Leadership Development. A first of its kind in Kenya, the institute will develop a governance program for senior leadership organs of Higher Education institutes, develop functional programs for middle level managers, develop a program for building capacity of policy makers and teachers involved in developing and implementing competency based curriculum, hold policy dialogues on higher education, develop a research center dedicated to research on higher education. The launch of this visionary institute is timely and a true statement that we can achieve transformation in Kenya’s education sector across all levels. Higher education experts in Kenya have come together to respond to a growing need for such an institute. Ladies and Gentlemen The government will partner with institutions of higher learning to ensure that we achieve this transformation. As our implementing partners, we encourage universities to explore public-private partnerships that will see the growth of the education sector. Other institutions have taken this deliberate decision to transform the higher education space. For example, the Chair for Critical Studies in Higher Education Transformation (CriSHET) at the University of Nelson Mandela in South Africa and the International Centre for Higher Education Management (ICEM) at Bath University in The United Kingdom. These institutes have been able to provide strategic leadership in the management of universities and provide guidance to undertake cutting edge research in Africa and across the world. There is a need for global collaboration that will address gaps in higher education which include dwindling enrolment numbers, low uptake of research, funding challenges among others. This institute at USIU-Africa will respond to existing gaps that must be filled and addressed locally. Ladies and Gentlemen Today, growth in the higher education sector in Africa has enabled the youth access to university education. However, the quality of education has not matched this growth to enable these institutions contribute to impactful research, develop and enhance employability skills of graduates and attract funding. In addition, this growth lacks higher education professionals that can effectively deliver on their mandate. Currently, there is a mismatch between the administration and the academic arms in universities. In most cases, the administration arm of the university is not well equipped to handle challenges in higher education. Professionals in human resources, marketing, accounting, fundraising and other critical sectors that are instrumental in the everyday running of higher education institutions must be prepared and trained to achieve this transformation. Ladies and Gentlemen It is in this light that governance and management of higher education institutions must be prioritized. To turn around the challenges in higher education sector and turn them into opportunities will only be achieved if we prioritized transformation in the education sector. Good governance principals of accountability, transparency, and effectiveness are a major factor in improving the quality of education must be employed in the running of universities in order to improve our global rankings, increase research outputs and produce quality graduate that can compete on a global scale. Ladies and Gentlemen We must be able to prepare our graduates for the future who will drive the Big Four Agenda. In addition, Vision 2030 recognizes the importance of linking education to the labor market, create opportunities through entrepreneurship and to strengthen public-private partnerships. Competencies in all areas of study will be required to spur grow in the economy. We must therefore strengthen universities, initiate policy dialogues that will address these challenges, increase funding and conduct aggressive research in emerging areas. And Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen As USIU-Africa celebrates 50 years of academic excellence, this institute feeds into their vision to be a premier institution of academic excellence with a global perspective. Let us celebrate with USIU-Africa as they launch the institute of Higher Education, Research and Leadership Development. Congratulations! Thank You.

The Chief Guest, His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera,

The Board of Trustees

The Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria

The University Council

The University Senate

Management Board

Faculty, students, staff and alumni present

Parents and guardians,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

And the Graduating Class of 2020

Good Morning,

It is a pleasure to be here today to celebrate with all of you on the occasion of USIU-Africa’s 42^nd Commencement ceremony, and like all the other speakers before me have noted, the first in our 51-year history to be done virtually. Allow me to begin by offering my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you graduating here today, for the tenacity that you have demonstrated during this difficult time in global history to finish your education, and triumph over these extraordinary circumstances.

Ladies and gentlemen,

USIU-Africa is built on the premise of being a premier institution of academic excellence with a global perspective, and over the years, has achieved this through the promotion of the discovery and application of knowledge and skills in a way that prepares its students to contribute effectively and ethically as citizens of a changing and increasingly technological world. Put simply, USIU-Africa gives each of the students that comes through its doors a chance to change themselves and the world they live in by helping them see a bigger, brighter vision of the future.

As you graduate today, you will be going out to make your marks in the world. It is always our hope as an institution that when our students eventually go out into the world, they will be able to do things that were previously thought as impossible, because the education and skills that they got here at USIU-Africa allowed them to look at their value and the quality of their work in new, exciting ways.

Ladies and gentlemen,

At USIU-Africa, we believe that there is room for everyone, and this is evident in the number of nationalities and cultures represented in our campus community. This notion of belonging is why we have initiatives such as the Annual Month of Giving and Educate Your Own, fundraising initiatives spearheaded by students to ensure that their fellow students stay the course and successfully complete their studies at USIU-Africa. Because of this notion, we have been able to attract like-minded partners, like the Mastercard Foundation, who through the Scholars Program, will help us continue down the path of transforming lives and communities through access to world class education.

As you leave us here today and go out in the world to start your lives, I want to urge you to remain curious and always seek opportunities to keep learning. Be open to listening and being challenged, because things have the ability to change when you listen, take into account what you hear and find ways to make things better.

Be adaptable. We are living in a new normal, which none of us saw coming, and in which things evolve every day to take into account these extraordinary times. USIU-Africa has always embraced innovation and adaptability as some of its key operational tenets, and nowhere has this been more evident than in the seamless transition from face to face to online learning following the shutdown of learning institutions across the world in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. We live in a rapidly evolving world, and coupled with the acceleration in the capabilities of digital technology, and an increasing growth in nationalist sentiments across the world, there will be more disruption and transformation in the near future. I believe that each of you, by virtue of being USIU-Africa alumni will be well positioned to embrace these transformations.

Ladies and gentlemen,

With these few words, allow me to again offer my sincerest congratulations to each and every one of you.

I want to take this opportunity to introduce our chief guest today, His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, a man who knows a few things about making history, just like you all are here today at USIU-Africa’s first virtual graduation.

Thank you and God bless you.

The Chief Guest

Board of Trustees

University Council

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza

University Senate

Management Board

Faculty, students, staff and alumni present

Parents and guardians,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

And the Graduating Class of 2020

Good Morning,

I am delighted to join you today as we honor the graduating class of 2020, and welcome you to this unique and first virtual graduation ceremony. This is truly a defining moment for all students across the globe graduating this year and specifically for USIU-Africa.

Ladies and Gentlemen

When the pandemic started in December 2019, no one knew the shape and form it would take. No one would predict the global disruption that it has caused. Now, almost ten months into the pandemic, we are able to understand and see that our lives will never be the same again. From loss of lives, livelihoods, long held freedoms of travel, learning, socializing and many other disruptions. This pandemic has taught us that we cannot continue doing things the same way and expect different results; it has forced us to adapt in so many ways. And this graduating class is an example of many people who have had to adapt to the new normal and embrace the change that has come with it. You embraced the digital shift by taking your classes online and are the first graduating class in our history to graduate virtually. Truly the vision of this great institution continues to be embodied in everything that we do: To be a premier institution of academic excellence with a global perspective.

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am particularly proud of the entire USIU-Africa community for managing this transition so well. Their individual efforts have ensured that we continue offering unparalleled quality education not only in Kenya but in East Africa as well. The transition to online teaching and learning was almost seamless, and although occasioned with several challenges, we were able to forge forward.

I am also delighted to share that our community also contributed significantly to ensure that students were able to receive the support they needed through the University COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund initiative that is aiding students who have been adversely affected by the effects of the pandemic. Our drive to give back to the community is what makes USIU-Africa unique.

Ladies and Gentlemen

But this pandemic is not the end- and it should not be the end. Let it be start of something new, something never seen and done before. Allow me to share my key learning lessons during this unprecedented time;

1. Career. As you enter the job market, it is important that you chart you own path, a unique path. The workplace has experienced a significant shift in the last nine months, a significant shift that has not been experienced in over a decade. We were accustomed to the daily commute to our work places and that has been dismantled. We were working behind a desk, in a specific location, now you can work from anywhere. Multinationals across the world have been forced to adapt and introduce new policies that respond to our current situation. And you have to start thinking differently to adapt to that shift which is a gamechanger and will most likely remain that way for a very long time. Will you adapt or will you remain the same? In the same manner, millions of jobs have become obsolete but millions of jobs and opportunities have been created as a result of the pandemic. Disruption is an enabler, take this opportunity and create the next global disruptor.

2. Family. It is important to know what matters. Families have been torn apart but millions more have shown true resilience as they battle the pandemic. We, as the USIU-Africa community have learnt lessons that will take us through the next crisis. In times of adversity, that is when we become the best versions of ourselves.

3. Life. Expect the unexpected. This is our new reality, a different reality and what you decide to do with it is entirely up to you. In this moment, you can become what you want to be, Own it! Change it! Be it!

To the Class of 2020

You are indeed a great class, the first class to graduate virtually in our 51-year old history. Your stories will go down the history books and you have demonstrated that you can push on no matter the circumstance and I urge you to keep pushing on forward. Only you can provide a way forward in not only managing this pandemic, but by defining our new normal. You have done it before and I have no doubt it you will do it again.

I leave you with the wise words of Maya Angelou that say, “If you're always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.”

Congratulations and Thank You!

The Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria, the University Council, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza, the University Senate, the Management Board, Faculty, students, staff and alumni present,

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening.

I am very happy to join you this evening to celebrate USIU-Africa’s 50^th Anniversary. This event marks a significant history in the history of the University, especially after the recent commemoration of our 41^st Commencement ceremony on September 28, 2019.

In the 50 years since it was established, USIU-Africa continues to attract students from all over the globe while maintaining high quality of education. The University traces its footsteps from a small college in the US to a renowned global name. USIU then set up operations in Africa and started offering courses to a handful of students who would meet at the Mayfair hotel. The university has expanded in leaps and bounds over the last fifty years and today is a true testament to this growth.

Between 1969 and 1970, the University approached the then Ministry of Education in Kenya and also contacted various other government ministries with a view to obtaining authority to start its campus in Nairobi to serve the continent of Africa. This led to the registration of USIU in 1969 under the Companies Act (Cap.486) following an agreement between the Trustees of what was then the United States International University in San Diego, California, and the Kenyan Ministry of Education.

USIU-Africa’s aspirations as an institution of higher learning are in line with the five year Education Plan (2018-2022) that includes priority areas for investments in higher education. The plan proposes the following key objectives:

• Increase the gross enrolment ratio in university education from 7 percent to 15 percent;
• Enhance the quality and relevance of training and research;
• Increase access to STEM programmes to 60 percent of the student population;
• Create opportunities for academic staff to acquire PhDs and appropriate pedagogical skills;
• Establish the Open University of Kenya (30 percent of degree programmes available via e-learning mode by 2022);
• Enhance equity and inclusion in university education, especially for females and students from low-income families; and
• Strengthen governance and management of university education.

It gives me great pleasure to note that these objectives are in line with USIU-Africa’s strategic objectives, and that the University has constantly been working towards their achievement. Some of the areas in which USIU-Africa has demonstrated excellence include:

Quality of education offered

We are in an era where the higher education sector is experiencing significant shifts. These challenges are not experienced in Kenya only but all over the world. In 2015, students in South Africa started the ‘fees must fall movement’ and were demanding that the government must increase funding to universities and to stop student fees increment. In Uganda, Makerere University students are protesting a policy that sanctioned a 15 percent cumulative increment on tuition over the next five years. In Europe, college tuition fees almost doubled and are estimated to be at an all time high making it more difficult for young people to access higher education. Other challenges include budget cuts, low research productivity, leadership and management of universities and lack of qualified faculty are just some of the challenges being experienced today.

Over the years, Kenyan Universities have seen rapid growth in their enrollment numbers, which has greatly affected the quality of education offered. According to a report released by the World Bank, many Kenyan universities do not have sufficient numbers of qualified staff, which undermines the quality of training offered. This has resulted into the increase of teacher-student ratios, which currently stand at 70:1 in several public universities.

USIU-Africa has been able to position itself as a center of academic excellence by ensuring that it puts in place measures to respond to these challenges. For instance, it is one of the few universities with a student to faculty ratio of 1:31, as it seeks to hire more faculty to drive this ratio down. The high quality faculty bring together many years of experience locally and globally. 73% of faculty at USIU-Africa have PhDs compared to a national average of 34%.

Another challenge that the University has sought to improve is in response to the claims that have long been associated with Kenyan universities: that of traditional pedagogical practices that are more theoretical than practical. USIU-Africa has consistently offered its students a practical-led education, which ensures that they are able to better apply the knowledge gained in the solution of real life problems.

Research and technology transfer

Recent statistics show that Kenya is the second research powerhouse in Sub-Saharan Africa, after South Africa. Globally, Africa accounts for the lowest levels of world researchers and scientific publications (less than 3%), and the lowest levels of gross domestic expenditure on research and development (0.5% compared to the world average of 1.7%). The only area Africa claims dubious distinction is in the proportion of publications with international authors. USIU-Africa has ensured that its students have access to some of the world’s leaders in their fields, to state-of-the-art research opportunities and learning laboratories, and campus facilities and academic support designed to ensure they achieve their educational goals. The research productivity of the university is growing rapidly as evident from the number of publications, external grants, and conferences and workshops, all of which have trebled over the past three years.

Qualification of academics

Many countries and higher education institutions suffer from shortages of qualified faculty and insufficient teaching and learning facilities. In Kenya, for example, only 34% of the faculty in the country’s 74 universities have PhD degrees, and many are poorly trained, a problem exacerbated by rising academic fraud including contract cheating for dissertations and predatory journal publications.

To meet the growing demand for qualified academics and the shortfall in PhD holders, universities can address staffing needs in the following ways:

• Expanding master’s and PhD programs to hire their graduates into the system;
• Training Kenyan students abroad;
• Attracting expatriates with the required qualifications (providing higher remuneration packages compared to their Kenyan colleagues); and
• Covering staff gaps through the contracting of academic staff on a part-time basis in other universities, in addition to their work in the primary employing institution.

In so doing, many universities will be able to offer higher quality education to their students.

Innovative pedagogical practices

To further promote the provision of quality education, we are constantly encouraging universities to make teaching more interactive and more practical. This can be achieved through the establishment of Teaching and Learning Centers in all higher education institutions, which will support innovations in teaching, which will facilitate more collaborative learning. The Centre for Excellence in Teaching is one such institution, which has over the years equipped faculty with the necessary tools to ensure that they facilitate active learning in their classrooms.

Internationalization

One of the main problems facing higher education in Africa is unequal internationalization. This is because the continent is not a major player in the lucrative international student market; more African students study abroad than foreign students study in Africa. There is also the age-old problem of intellectual dependence and epistemic extraversion rooted in the histories of colonial and neo-colonial dependence.

However, as the world becomes more interconnected, internationalization is one of the ways that students are prepared to become global citizens, by embedding an international dimension in all aspects of university life.

USIU-Africa is the only university in the region that has dual accreditation in Kenya and the United States of America (USA) by the Commission for University (CUE) and WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) respectively. This gives advantage to USIU-Africa students as they get an international education affordably in Kenya, in addition to giving students exposure to curricular innovations and global knowledges making them globally competitive. The international nature of USIU-Africa is represented in the diversity of its student and faculty body, which has almost 73 nationalities represented.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish USIU-Africa a happy Golden Jubilee, and wish you all the best as you journey through the next 50 years and beyond. I think I speak for everyone when I say that I have the confidence that USIU-Africa will see even greater success in the years to come.

Thank you and good evening!

The Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria, the University Council, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza, the University Senate, the Management Board, faculty, staff, and students present, alumni present and members of the media present, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Good afternoon.

It is a real pleasure to be with you today as Prof. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza donates his personal library to USIU-Africa. You might recall during his inauguration in April 2016, I had the privilege of welcoming him to USIU-Africa, and to Nairobi and Kenya, where he had already spent many years undertaken his doctoral research in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and later teaching at Kenyatta University in the 1980s. Today, as he prepares to leave after a term of transformative leadership at this renowned university, I am here to bid him farewell as we celebrate his exceptional charitable donation.

Through this collection, he will leave his indelible mark on the history of USIU-Africa. Charles W. Eliot, a prominent academic said that “books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” Indeed, when you look at Prof. Zeleza’s work as a renowned scholar and public intellectual, and even during his tenure at the University, there is no doubt that Prof. Zeleza, just like the books he is donating today, has been the most constant of friends, the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am proud to be part of this event today, as we receive Prof. Zeleza’s generous gift of his personal library, made up of approximately 10,000 books, journals, reports, and conference proceedings. The donated collection also includes his archives of personal papers and manuscripts of his voluminous publications. The collection, built over four decades in an illustrious academic and administrative career spanning six countries on three continents and the Caribbean region and a dozen universities, is valued at more than $1 million.

The pride of any university lies in its ability to engage in cutting edge research and USIU-Africa has remained committed to this cause in its years of operation. Through the donation of his personal library, Prof. Zeleza has demonstrated his dedication to the enhancement of the University’s learning and research capacities.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The books donated here today are a representation of Prof. Zeleza’s lifelong passion for promoting African knowledge production and cultivating the culture of philanthropy in African universities. It is our hope that this extensive collection will benefit generations of faculty and students and researchers from across Africa and elsewhere interested in the fields of African studies, diaspora studies, development studies, gender studies, environmental studies, cultural studies, globalization studies, economic history, intellectual history, creative works, and science and technology.

To the students of USIU-Africa, we hope that you will make good use of these books, and engage critically with the ideas presented within to find new ways of thinking that will shape not only your future, but that of the world as well. I urge you to keep nurturing the pleasure of reading and being open to learning, as it is through this that you will find new opportunities to make your dreams come true.

My dear brother and comrade, Paul, as you return to the diaspora where you’ve spent the bulk of your professional career, I know with this extraordinary donation of your personal library you have left your mind, heart and soul on the beloved continent of your birth whose bewildering complexities, contradictions and changes you’ve spent your entire academic career trying to illuminate. As you noted in a recent reflection on your departure, you are simply shifting locations in the interwoven geography of Africa’s global brain circulation.

Thank you and have a good day.

Board of Trustees

The Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria

University Council

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza

University Senate

Management Board

Faculty, students, staff and alumni present

Parents and guardians,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

And the Graduating Class of 2020

Good Morning,

I am glad to join you today as we honor the graduating class of 2020. Commencement is a time in which we have the opportunity to not only celebrate our accomplishments, but to also reflect, listen to the lessons of others, and to look to the future with hope. I would like to congratulate you for your unrelenting will to forge forward as the world is battling a global pandemic. We have seen the world’s resolve to fight and defy the pandemic and celebrate the small wins. We have been privileged to see and hear stories of hope during these dark times and this has been clearly demonstrated by healthcare workers across the globe who continue to put their lives at risk everyday as they battle the pandemic.

I am glad to know that today, we commission the first cohort of Pharmacy students who will be joining the healthcare workforce as they find lasting solutions to deal with this pandemic and future pandemics. I am also delighted to know that at today’s ceremony, we will be sending out these young women and men, whom we hope will give much to the society and to the world at large, just as USIU-Africa has given to them.

I strongly urge you to learn from these unrelenting individuals and to have a glimmer of hope as you step into the next phase of your lives. If we are to learn one thing today, it is that we should celebrate the small wins in our lives daily.

Ladies and Gentlemen

We are here today because of the legacy of USIU-Africa which traces its history to 1927 when the Balboa Law College was chartered as a private graduate institution in San Diego (USA). In 1967, the university’s name was changed to United States International University (USIU) and established branch campuses for different world regions: namely, Tokyo in Japan, London in the UK, Mexico City in Mexico, and for Africa, Kenya was selected. The university registered 5 students in 1969 and this continued to grow to 8383 by the end of the 2017-2018 Academic Year offering 29 Undergraduate, Masters and Doctorate degree programs. USIU-Africa is the only university in the region with dual accreditation in Kenya by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

This 51-year old journey has led this great institution to where it is today and you, the graduating class of 2020 are part of that history. Be proud of it!

Ladies and Gentlemen

We are in a different era, a different shift and a different realization that we should all embrace. The education sector across the world experienced shifts never seen before. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimates that close to 90 percent of the world’s student population continue to suffer as a result of prolonged closure of learning institutions across the world affecting over 1.2 billion children and youth. Additionally, the digital divide has made it very difficult for learners from marginalized communities to access online classes. The challenges of infrastructure and access, equity, quality of teaching and learning and assessment are alive now more than ever as the world moves to embrace online teaching and learning. These challenges have far-reaching impact in Africa where the majority of learners do not have access to internet services and IT learning devices. UNESCO has further documented several adverse consequences of school closures which include interrupted learning, poor nutrition, high economic costs, increased dropout rates which have led to increased teenage pregnancies and petty crimes among the youth, social isolation and challenges in measuring and validating learning.

Most African countries have not been able to safely reopen schools and some which have attempted have gone back to indefinite closures. South Africa took a bold step towards the reopening of schools but had to rescind that decision as the cases in the country continued to increase.

Ladies and Gentlemen

We must all play our part to ensure that our students continue to receive the education they need during this period. The highlighted consequences will have lifelong impact on young children and adults. We must be careful to ensure that we maintain the gains made in the implementation of the Social Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. If we do not, the gains made so far will be reversed and there will be no significant growth to achieve this goal. We must collectively come together to ensure that our children, young women and men continue learning during these times. I implore governments in Africa to come together and find a long lasting solution to this problem. We can’t over emphasize on the importance of education especially in Africa. We have experienced transformative impact across Africa as a result of quality education and we continue to see successive governments invest heavily in education to ensure that our continent rises above poverty, famine and despair.

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am glad that USIU-Africa has demonstrated that it can rise above the challenges and provide the solutions needed to embrace online teaching and learning. These e-learning milestones started in 2010 when the university invested heavily in robust ICT systems that would see them navigate through this period smoothly. The students graduating today are a success story that has been championed by this great university.

To the Class of 2020

You are joining a network of over 25, 000 alumni across the globe making their impact in their own little ways. Engage with your soon-to-be Alma mater, so that this university continues to make meaningful contributions to national, regional, and global transformation and development.

I hope that USIU-Africa remains a place that you will always come back to often after graduation, not only in memory, but also in person, because you will always be welcome here.

Go ahead and make your unique mark as you start this new journey.

Congratulations and Thank You!

Board of Trustees,

The Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria,

Members of the University Council,

Interim Vice Chancellor, Dr. Omolola E. Omole-Odubekun,

University Senate,

Management Board,

Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni present,

Parents and Guardians,

The Graduating Class of 2023,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good Morning
I am glad to join you this morning as we honor the Graduating class of 2023. Each commencement ceremony offers USIU-Africa a unique opportunity to reflect on its accomplishments over the past 54 years. This year’s ceremony holds particular significance as we bestow an honorary Doctor of Laws upon our esteemed Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria, in recognition of his visionary leadership and philanthropic contributions to society.

USIU-Africa bestows honorary degrees selectively upon remarkable individuals whose outstanding achievements, lifetime contributions, and prominence in a particular field or endeavor align closely with the core values of USIU-Africa. It goes without saying that Dr. Chandaria’s selfless service to both the nation and the world at large are an embodiment of the values USIU-Africa holds closely in action.

Dr. Chandaria's inspirational journey and seven-decade-long commitment to service have played a critical role in affirming him as a global philanthropist, a visionary leader across several sectors of the economy and passionate about the community around him. Through the Chandaria Foundation, he has transformed thousands of lives, including those within our own USIU-Africa community, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to making a meaningful impact. We hope that by bestowing on him this honorary Doctorate, each of you will be inspired to take up the mantle of service leadership and apply your skills and knowledge towards making a difference.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
USIU-Africa is passionate about impact and changing the lives around the communities around us. Each student seated here today has completed a community service project as part of their curricular requirements. During this ceremony, we will honor one student with the Community Service Award for exemplifying the University’s core values within the community throughout their study here. We have other initiatives such as the Annual Giving Day, the University-wide community service day, Freida Brown Day and other initiatives championed by our students, faculty and staff.

Ladies and Gentlemen
As we honor the graduating class of 2023, we also celebrate Dr. Manu Chandaria’s unwavering dedication to the betterment of the youth and to higher education is a commendable example to be followed the world over. We extend our deepest gratitude to you for leaving an indelible mark on all our hearts.

And now, to the Class of 2023
You are the changemakers who will leave a lasting impact on our nation and the world. As you embark on the next phase of your journey, I encourage you to approach it with boundless zeal, unwavering determination, and a strong work ethic.

Congratulations to the Class of 2023.
Thank You.

Board of Trustees

The Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria

University Council

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza

University Senate

Management Board

Faculty, students, staff and alumni present

Parents and guardians,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

And the Graduating Class of 2020

Good Morning,

It is with utmost gratitude that I stand before you to represent the graduating class of 2020. I know over the last few years while we attended classes, commuted, worked, and dealt with both academic and personal problems all in order to complete our degree requirements, that we all imagined a much different graduation day: one on campus, donned in cap and gowns, one where we would sit together listening to speeches and waiting for the moment when we would individually be called onto the stage and handed our ribbon wrapped pieces of paper meant to represent our degrees, while our family members and friends whistled and cheered us on. We expected a day like that of those that have gone before us.

What we never imagined was that the end of our academic pursuit would be quite like this: with screens, borders and oceans in between us, in our homes or wherever you may find yourself, without our gowns and caps. It definitely feels different, it evokes mixed feelings and perhaps feels slightly unfair.

As upsetting as it may be, I would like to urge us to not forget that this day is still our day, that after much hard work and our mastery of APA citation as well as the cut and paste function in Microsoft Word, that we have done it!

Despite the fact that we may not get the experience we expected, this day is still a monumental one. We no longer need to worry about the numbers 7 and 14 for their association with examination weeks.

Today is a celebration of a great achievement by our graduating class. Together we are moving forward against all odds. Together we are triumphant over numerous unprecedented world and local events. This is therefore a bright moment and a sign of new hope, new life, resurrection out of the ashes and sunshine after a gloomy scaring global moment. Beyond these challenges we fulfilled our graduation requirements and our University continued to steer the ship of our academic journey forward and we are here today to celebrate and celebrate we must do. Congratulations!

I would like to focus the rest of my reflection on the idea of staying ahead of the curve, this is a phrase we have probably heard before, from companies, business gurus and by countless others in many circumstances and situations. But what does it really mean? And how can we apply the same to our everyday lives?

Staying ahead of the curve isn’t an abstract phrase to just be used in the slogan of a business practice. The phrase is thought to have its origins in mathematics, a subject I know we all love. It is often used to refer to being at the forefront, to the ability to anticipate and initiate.

Staying ahead of the curve is in the choices we make every day and need to continue to make. It is a distinguishing perspective and a value proposition.

It is in nourishing and growing your network, in meeting new people, in interacting with those you already know well.

It is in being prepared as much as you can, but also not being afraid to change and adapt when the need arises.

It is in listening to those around you and to yourself, actively and with intent It is in the application of the knowledge which you have acquired.

It is in constantly learning because you know your education goes beyond the classroom.

It is not staying in your bubble; it is allowing yourself to feel discomfort in order to allow for growth.

It is in making the most of what we have been provided, as well as being creative enough to not allow what we do not have to hold us back.

It is in getting the little tasks done so that your mind is free to fully engage with whatever may arise. It is in being able to spot opportunity and in creating opportunity where there is none.

It is learning from our mistakes and those of others, but not allowing ourselves to be crippled by the fear of making them.

It is in risk taking, it is in not being afraid to share and implement our ideas.

It is the ability to find the new in what already exists, and to create from scratch.

It is in the little choices we may think do not matter and the big ones that may intimidate us.

It is in the mundane and the extraordinary.

As we look towards the future, I hope we will be able to remember and apply everything we have learnt during our time here, both in class and outside of class, that we will be part and parcel of the growth and development of our communities, and our people.

I would like to thank the staff who work here both academic and non-academic for making sure we had sanitary and safe environments to study, for ensuring we were feed, for helping us hundreds of times over to reset our Blackboard account passwords. To our lecturers for teaching us what you know and have experienced, for guiding us, for giving and grading hundreds of assignments and exams.

To my fellow students, I thank you for our engagements in class, for sharing your knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. And in a category of their own, I would like to thank every single group member who didn't submit their work in time, I remember you every single one, you have taught me so much about patience, resilience, creativity, perseverance, about not being afraid to ask someone over and over and over again for what was needed and getting tasks done besides the odds.

And lastly, I would like to close by saying congratulations again to the class of 2020, we have worked, and we have prevailed and we will continue to prevail.

Thank You.

Delivered by Michael Ntumy

Board of Trustees, The Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria, University Council, The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Freida Brown, University Senate, Management Board, Faculty, students, staff and alumni present, Parents and guardians, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, and the Graduating Class of 2021.

I want to start my address by welcoming everyone to this very special occasion for all the students, our families behind their screens, staff and faculty who put together all the pieces of the last four years. It is my absolute honor and privilege to stand before you or at least behind this screen, and share a few words. Everybody who knows me knows that I love soccer. Please bear with me while I share a few things I have learned from soccer, but you need not to worry. I have no intention of speaking for 90 minutes.

A famous quote from Mia Hamm states: “My coach said I run like a girl, and I said if he run a little faster, he could too.” From a very young age, I fell in love with soccer, but I was always the only girl trying to get on the dusty soccer pitch. Of course, it wasn’t easy. Everybody expected me to find my spot in the kitchen, and maintain it. But I wanted to be on the field and run as fast as I could, for as long as I could. Even when I was finally able to secure a spot on the field, I was still constantly fed the idea that it wasn’t my spot. So I did the only thing I knew would help me make my statement, which is that no matter where I want to be, as long as I want to, that’s exactly where I belong. I run faster and better, so much so that nobody could contest my spot on that dusty soccer pitch anymore.

Whether it was that soccer pitch, or choosing Information Systems and Technology as a major, or pursing my love for data, I was always told it was not my spot. As young graduates, I believe that our professional life doesn’t start now. It started the day we sat foot in this school, maybe even before. We have already fought countless battles to stand where we are today and countless more battles await us. But I hope we can each remember that no matter what wind we decide to follow from here, that’s exactly the path we belong to. We can decide what pitch we want to fight on and as long as that’s where we want to be, we have a spot on that pitch.

In soccer, you need goals in order to win. And one thing I have learnt in the past four years is that in life too, you need goals in order to win! Without goals, a team can spend 90 minutes running on the field, and no matter how fast or how well they run, if they have no goal, they cannot win (like Arsenal last season). Dear friends, you and I, also needed to set goals for ourselves over the past four years. We might have reached some, some maybe not. Our goals probably changed as well, maybe multiple times. But the one goal I am sure we all shared was that we wanted to be here today, with everyone celebrating this important achievement we’ve all made together. As we continue on our journey to the next chapter, I hope we can all keep on setting goals so that as we run on whatever pitch we choose for ourselves, we can do so with a purpose.

Allow me to borrow Vince Lombardi’s words, when he said “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” Once we’ve secured our spot, and we start running to score our goals so that we can fulfil our overall purpose, I hope that we can also remember those words from Vince Lombardi. Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is. By all means, choose your pitch, claim your spot, and score those goals if you can. But let’s not become blinded by getting the goals, or by winning only and miss the whole point of being on the pitch: the journey that brought us there, the passion that keeps us there, the grit that makes us want to do more on the pitch, and especially all the people around us. A soccer game is not played alone, it takes a team to win, and it takes a team to get back up after a defeat. As we tackle the challenges we are passionate about, let's keep in mind that we are not alone, we won’t always succeed, but as long as we remember why we are fighting and what fuels our passion, we will always be able to get back up and carry on with the fight.

One more lesson from soccer that I believe we could benefit from is a quote from Josef Herberger who said “The ball is round, the game lasts ninety minutes, and everything else is theory.” Just like in soccer, I believe in our lives too, there are very few constants that we cannot change, and everything else is up for a shuffle. What this means to me is that as we stand here today as graduates, our opportunities are endless. Our experience here shaped the unique individual we each are, the only time we each have is our remaining lifespan, and everything else is infinite possibilities. What we do with everything we’ve learnt, and the time we have is the opportunity we have to paint the sky in the color we like, move the mountains that obstruct our way to making significant impact, and create a picture of the world we dream of, whether that world is your family, your community, your country, your continent, or literally the world.

I cannot close my remarks without expressing the gratitude we are submerged in as a class today. Our families, our friends, staff and faculty and most importantly ourselves, yes, we, have made the best we could at each time, within our constraints and abilities. So I am grateful to God, for paving the way for us, I am grateful to everyone for equipping and supporting us along the way, and I am grateful to myself, as we should each be, for pulling through despite all the personal, and literally global challenges we’ve faced in the past years. I am humbled by the opportunity I had to address everyone on behalf of my class, and want to leave you with a quote from Zinedine Zidane, who said: “I once cried because I had no shoes to play soccer, but one day I met a man who had no feet.” No matter where we stand today, recognizing everything we are blessed with, is the key to realizing all the opportunities with the challenges we face.

I thank you for your time. Congratulations class of 2021, let’s fly high, let’s fly mighty.

Board of Trustees
The Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria
The University Council
The Interim Vice Chancellor, Dr. Lola Odubekun,
The University Senate,
Management Board,
Faculty, students, staff and alumni present,
Parents and guardians,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
And the Graduating Class of 2023

I want to start my address by welcoming everyone to this very special occasion: The graduating class gathered here, our friends and families who continue to love and support us from every corner of the globe, and the staff and faculty who toiled with us to get us here. I am beyond honored to stand before you today and present this address on behalf of the graduating class.

It feels like just last week we were sitting in orientation and trying to learn the names of all the buildings on campus, feeling unsure of what steps to take next. Then came the pandemic and we saw just how resilient and adaptable we were as virtual classes became the new norm. And now, here we are, setting the pace as the next generation of changemakers and making it look effortless.

According to Albert Einstein, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Now, not to naysay Einstein but that sounds like practice to me. To fear failure, rejection, ridicule, embarrassment, to fear all these things is to fear living life itself. But to overcome that fear, to fail and fail and fail again and still get up and keep trying, that takes courage. Being here today is a testament to our courage, our resilience and our persistence.

We saw complicated chemical formulas shaped like lego death stars and said “Yes, I can do that.”. We saw the size of accounting textbooks and 8-page balance sheets and said, “I got this.”. We saw complicated circuits and said “Bring it on.”. And who can forget the rise of Zoom University? I think we all became experts at answering questions while secretly watching cat videos in our pajamas. Virtual learning also showed us the value of face-to-face interactions, which we appreciate now more than ever.

My own experience has been challenging. On so many occasions, I felt like a fish out of water, I felt close to giving up. But the fact that I’m standing before you today is proof that this community here and the support it provides can carry you through anything. I would like to give a special thanks to my family in attendance, my mother, Mary Naburi Oyiolo and my siblings here as well as my late father, Alexander Oyiolo who unfortunately didn’t live to see today but who never stopped encouraging me, my friends and colleagues who uplifted me and the counseling center, staff and faculty that saw me through some of my hardest times. I can say with absolute certainty that I would not have accomplished all this without you.

Now, I could stand up here and drop even more inspirational quotes, but let's be honest, we'll see enough of those on our Instagram feeds today. Let us remember that today is not just the end of our academic journey, but the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. As we step into tomorrow, let us carry with us the courage to embrace challenges, the strength to show kindness to others, the gratitude to appreciate our support systems, and the determination to make a positive impact on the world.

I would like to uphold a tradition my predecessor began. As a Spanish minor myself, I would be remiss if I failed to address you all in Spanish. That said, “Enhorabuena a la clase de dos mil veintitrés. Estáis la leche!”

Congratulations, Class of 2023, we did it!

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Freida Brown,
The Chief Guest, Professor George Magoha
Board of Trustees
The Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria
The University Council
The University Senate
Management Board
Faculty, students, staff and alumni present
Parents and guardians,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
And the Graduating Class of 2022

Good Morning.
I am extremely honored to stand before you and give this address on behalf of my graduating class. I remember receiving this email and thinking to myself, “Am I now an adult?” It seemed like such an adult thing to do – giving a valedictory speech. So here goes my attempt at being an adult.

What a great feat it is to be graduating today, and finally getting to step on the grass for free! We made it here with plenty of odds stacked against us. We soldiered on through a global pandemic and transitioned into e-learning like we had been practicing for it all our lives. We maneuvered seamlessly through hybrid learning and some of us even made it back into our traditional brick and mortar classes. We are persistence, we are resilience, we are the future.

Dolly Parton once said, "We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails". This unique voyage of ours, undertaking our studies through a pandemic, has kept us on deck and on task, adjusting the sail every so often, to make sure the wind takes us where we need to go. Through this we have proven that adaptation is part of our make up. We're all about to set out into the great big world and do very adult things. Adulting requires of us constant adaptation; to new environments, new people, new experiences, even new food. At this point if we know nothing else, we know that we can do it.

We would not be here without the faculty that have helped mold us into the bright stars we are today. As hectic as all the assignments, term papers and group work presentations were, every one of them contributed to this very moment and if for nothing else, we should be grateful for that. It goes without saying that week 7 & week 14 will not be missed. Those traumatic numbers reminiscent of the fact that the pressure is getting… (pause for the audience to respond, “WORSER!”). We can finally go back to reading calendars by months and not by weeks reflective of what is due.

My personal experience with university has been, to put it mildly, challenging. I have had a few starts and stops, but the fact that I am standing here today is proof positive that with determination and the right support system, anything is possible. I would like to thank the Financial Aid Office and the Educate Your Own program, who were instrumental in keeping me afloat when I needed their help the most. I would like to offer my deepest and most sincere thanks to my mother, Anastacia Achieng' Ong'any, without whom quite literally I would not be here today.

It is bitter sweet leaving somewhere we have called home for so long. So many aspects of school and campus life will be missed but I can find a few none of us are sad to leave behind:

• Assignment due at 11.59PM
• Pop quiz
• Group work (with non-responsive group members)
• Saturday classes
• Safe assign (with a 47% plagiarism report)
• Zoom University (“Mute your mic. Turn on your video.”) No, thank you, prof; I am still in my bonnet.

As much as it is more common for us to look outside for heroes on graduation day, I see so many before me today. I see leaders, I see helpers, I see trailblazers in caps and gowns. We have shown not just the world but also ourselves that we are survivors. We have not only survived this pandemic that has fundamentally changed how we interact with the world, but we have grown from it. We have used it as an opportunity to strengthen our relationships. Hopefully, we've also convinced anyone looking to hire us that we can indeed work from home. Finally, the words of the ever fabulous Lupita Nyong'o "I personally know that I am capable of anything I put my mind to. Whether someone agrees with that or not is not a concern of mine". So believe in yourself. We've made it this far, nothing can stop us now.

It would be a crime for me to be a Spanish minor who does not address you in Spanish so to prove that my professors, Maria del Rocio and Pablo Rubio did not waste their time, ¡Gracias a todos por su tiempo y enhorabuena a la Clase de 2022! Lo hicimos.

(TRANSLATION: Thank you all for your time, and Congratulations to the Class of 2022! We did it.)

The Chief Guest, Professor George Magoha
Board of Trustees
The Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria
The University Council
The University Senate
Management Board
Faculty, students, staff and alumni present
Parents and guardians,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
And the Graduating Class of 2022
Good Morning.

On behalf of the university community, I would like to welcome you to the 44th Commencement Ceremony of United States International University-Africa honoring the graduating class of the year 2022. I am honored to be presiding over this auspicious occasion and I offer my warmest congratulations to each of you graduating today- you are now graduates of one of the world’s premier universities, USIU-Africa!

Today, we have 1339 graduands representing a total of 34 nationalities. Special congratulations go to the Graduands in the first cohorts of Bachelor of Arts in Animation and the Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics who are also graduating today, with 7 and 5 students respectively. Our first ever fully-online program, the Online Master of Business Administration, is also graduating its first ever cohort of 8 students.

Graduations are a special time for students, faculty, parents and families alike, as they present an opportunity not only to celebrate your accomplishments, but also to reflect, listen to the lessons of others, and to look to the future with hope.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Over the course of the past four years, we have worked hand in hand to ensure that each of you is equipped with an education that was full of immersive experiences filled with inquiry, creativity and discovery, and community engagement that in addition to enriching your minds, also nurtured in you a spirit of giving back.

As an institution, we are committed to ensuring that we uphold the high standards of teaching and learning by recruiting staff and faculty who are at the top of their respective fields. One of the newest members of the USIU-Africa community is our Vice Chancellor, Prof. Margee Ensign, who will be instrumental in maintaining USIU-Africa’s upward trajectory, while helping us achieve the ambitious goals articulated in our 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, namely: distinction in research and scholarship, excellence in teaching and learning, organizational stability, innovation, creative works and entrepreneurship and excellence in service and community engagement.

Some of the key highlights of the past academic year include:

• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: In June, USIU-Africa welcomed the fourth cohort of Scholars under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Since its inception, the Program has recruited 393 Scholars. We are glad to welcome the first cohort of 36 students from the M-Pesa Foundation who joined the University this Fall.
• Research: Since Spring 2022, our faculty have published a total of 68 publications, with 50 journal articles and 5 book chapters in the Spring semester, and 15 journal articles, and 3 book chapters in the Summer semester.
• Academics: The School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences partnered with the German Cooperation through its implementation organization PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) as well as AHK Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa to introduce a training program aimed at enhancing pharmaceutical manufacturing in Kenya. Additionally, Prof. Naumih Noah, an Associate Professor of Analytical/Bioanalytical Chemistry in the School was been elected as an Executive Board Member and Director of the Commonwealth Chemistry. A special congratulations to Dr. Ermias Terefe for discovering four new anti-HIV compounds using medicinal plants from Kenya’s Croton Species.
• The faculty started two new certificate programs. Professor Josephine Arasa in collaboration with the University of Nevada Reno introduced a certificate program that trains technicians to work with autistic children and their families. Professor Francis Wambalaba obtained funding from the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment based in the Netherlands and partnered with Serianu, Ltd., and Kenya Bankers Association to create Cyber Shujaa; a program that provides students and recent graduates with skills in cyber security along with job placements. Also, be on the lookout for our Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism program that will begin a variety of classes for those who would like to expand their culinary skills.
• Student Life: A special thanks to Mrs. Ritah Asunda (for coming out of retirement) and the student body government that worked so diligently with the administration to bring student affairs back to life. Culture Week, Freshers Bash, Mr and Ms USIU-Africa all returned under their stewardship. I would also like to congratulate the Student Council for successfully hosting the first ever endowment dinner, which raised 3 million shillings that will go towards fees for financially needy students.
• Our clubs and sports teams have been active in representing USIU-Africa across the country and continent, taking part in various activities and events that I have no doubt will make them well-rounded students.
• Staff: Ms. Linet Aguko, Program Director, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program won the 2022 We Rise Together Award in Student Advocacy by Duolingo Inc. for her contribution in transforming the lives of students within the categories of Access, Innovation, Social Justice, and Student Advocacy. Ms. Hilda Indasi, a Sports Coordinator in the Division of Student Affairs was selected for a six month fully paid International Coaching Course at Leipzig University in Germany.

To our graduating students,
You are now officially part of USIU-Africa’s illustrious 53-year history. This has been a year of renewal and revitalization as we move toward the future. The students we are graduating today have been successful in a disruptive environment. The pandemic led to closure of the University, then a quick transition to online learning and finally a return to face to face instruction. You are indeed prepared for a future that may present uncertainty but have demonstrated that you are flexible and adaptive to change. For many of you, this Commencement marks the beginning, or even a milestone in the ongoing adventures of your life. The journey will be exciting, and not without its challenges.

It is our hope that the years you have spent at USIU-Africa have molded you to be forward thinking citizens ready to make use of their knowledge to find solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.

I want each of you to remember that you have the talent, the drive, the character, and now, the qualifications needed to succeed. You have proved beyond a doubt that you have the dedication to achieve at the highest level of your potential. We urge each of you to become a force for good in the world by applying your knowledge in a discerning manner, and by becoming an active contributor to your communities.

Graduating doesn’t mean that our partnership will come to an end. You now join the ranks of a vibrant, 25,000 strong alumni body who will also be a source of knowledge and insight as you make your way through life.

It is now time to get started on the great and important things that will disrupt the world. “You are our Future”
God bless you and congratulations to the Class of 2022!

The Chief Guest

Board of Trustees

The Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria

University Council

University Senate

Management Board

Faculty, students, staff and alumni present

Parents and guardians,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

And the Graduating Class of 2020

Good Morning,

It is my honour and absolute pleasure to preside over the 42^nd Commencement Ceremony, one that will see you all go down in history as the first class in USIU-Africa’s 51-year history to graduate virtually. This commencement ceremony also marks the graduation of the pioneer cohort of Bachelor of Pharmacy students, which could not have come at a better time, as you now join the frontlines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The past few months have been the test of our resilience, as we learn to adjust to the extraordinary circumstances that have been occasioned by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to cause untold suffering not only across the globe, but also in our community. I would like to salute all of you for efforts towards ensuring that USIU-Africa continues to discharge its core mandate of providing quality teaching and learning, even in the face of adversity.

2020 marks my fifth year at the helm of USIU-Africa, an institution with an illustrious history, not only in Kenya, but also around the world. As the oldest private secular university in the country, we have not only weathered many adversities throughout our 51-year history, but we have also grown in stature. I have every confidence that we will not only overcome the present challenges, but we will emerge stronger, and even more secure. I attribute this confidence to the selfless dedication, professionalism, astute leadership, diligent scholarship, and the continued goodwill of each and every single stakeholder critical to the success of our institution.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

If there is one thing that these past few months has taught us, it is adaptability. It gives me great pleasure to note that USIU-Africa has stayed ahead of the curve in this regard. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent closure of all learning institutions in the country as mandated by the Government, we have been able to successfully complete the Spring and Summer semesters online, which has continued into the ongoing Fall semester. This was because of our continued investment in ICT infrastructure, which enabled us to make a seamless transition into remote learning.

We have also made several advancements towards the improvement of our online curriculum, with the most notable being the approval of the Online MBA by the WASC Senior Colleges and Universities Commission (WSCUC). The program, housed at the Chandaria School of Business (CSB), will ensure that students have access to quality education, regardless of where they are around the world. The program, which is in advanced stages of approval by the Commission for University Education (CUE), will provide students with real-time virtual interaction with their instructors, as well as additional resources for out-of-class interaction among students and between students and instructors. We have also launched new courses to bolster our overall offering, including the Bachelor of Global Leadership and Governance and the Master of Science in Information Security, among others, which will be announced in due course. We will continue to hone our curriculum, so that we can have the ability to offer face to face, online and hybrid learning, to fit the needs of our students.

As we continue into the future of this new mode of learning, I wish to reassure you that now more than ever, we are putting your needs as students at the forefront. This will help us design good learning experiences, in addition to reimagining our methods of assessment. Students can revisit online course material, ask questions and get personal support, in and out-of-normal teaching hours.

This season may have been difficult, but it has not been without its high points. USIU-Africa was recently selected to be a partner of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The partnership will provide scholarships for 1,000 high potential students over the next ten years facing financial, gender, displacement, or disability constraints. At least 70 percent of the young people who benefit from the partnership will be young women, while 25 percent will be displaced or refugee youth, and at least 10 percent will be young people living with disabilities. With this USD 63.2 million partnership, USIU-Africa joined Mastercard Foundation expanding global network of partners committed to developing a generation of African leaders who will use their knowledge and skills to lead change in their communities, and contribute to meaningful transformation across the continent.

The partnership aligns with our mission of providing an education to take you places, as it presents a chance for us to continue moulding students who will catalyze Africa’s continued advancement into a better, brighter future. By embracing the Scholars Program, we will increase the international student population from 15 percent to 20 percent which is in line with our strategy of internationalization.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We may be in an era of social distance, but big achievements, like the degrees being awarded here today, are not achieved by individuals on their own, but by people working together. I would like to acknowledge and thank those who have joined you in your celebration today- your friends and families, as well as my colleagues, all of whom have played a part in getting you here today for the celebration of this achievement.

Seneca, a Roman philosopher said that life is not about how long it is, but how good it is. Over the years, there is no doubt that some students graduated in times of extraordinary difficulty, while others have gone through relatively easier times. Today you graduate in an extraordinary time, underscored by considerable uncertainty as the country, and indeed the whole world faces its biggest crisis in years. I want to urge you not to be discouraged by these difficulties, but to stay faithful to the passion that we have inculcated into you for deepening your understanding of the present and future, and staying focused on finding ways around problems.

Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Class of 2020 for being pioneers, as the first class in our University’s history to graduate virtually, and for having the fortitude to persevere and complete your studies in such a trying time.

I also extend my hearty congratulations to our students from the School of Pharmacy and Health Science, who are the first cohort of students to graduate with Bachelor of Pharmacy degrees from USIU-Africa. Just like you have been trailblazers in the University’s history, we hope that with the knowledge and skills you have gathered at USIU-Africa, you will continue charting new paths during this critical time, as we work towards finding a solution to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Hongera and Asanteni Sana!

The Chief Guest, Mr. Vimal Shah

Board of Trustees

The Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria

University Council

University Senate

Management Board

Faculty, students, staff and alumni present

Parents and guardians,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my pleasure this morning to welcome you all to the 41^st Commencement ceremony honoring the achievements of our graduands, in the year of our golden anniversary. I want to extend my congratulations to the 1337 students graduating today.

I pay special tribute to the members of staff and faculty who have prepared our students during their stay here. I also thank the parents, sponsors and guardians for the sacrifices they have made over the years to educate their children.

I also wish to congratulate members of staff who are graduating at this ceremony and those who have recently completed their study programs at other institutions locally and elsewhere. You made the right choice to advance your careers. We know that the knowledge and skills that you have acquired will improve your service delivery for the betterment of this institution.

The qualifications you are about to receive today are a source of pride to us as USIU-Africa, as they represent the continuation of the legacy of academic excellence, which we have upheld over the past 50 years. I am confident that as you go out into the world, USIU-Africa has empowered you with superior skills and the requisite mindset that you will need to deal with all the challenges that will come your way.

Each of the commencement ceremonies we have had have been special, because they are a celebration of the achievements of our students. This year’s commencement stands out because it is the hallmark of our celebration of our 50^th anniversary. You are the representation of everything we are proud of as an institution, and your presence here today bolsters our confidence in our extraordinary journey as the future unfolds.

It is my sincere hope that you will continue in the path of our theme this year- A legacy of academic excellence- in all spheres of your life that you will continue to put your knowledge and skills towards the achievement of excellence, which is what we are gathered to celebrate here today.

As we look at the last fifty years, I would like to recognize and appreciate the visionaries who led this institution and worked extremely hard to ensure that USIU-Africa get to the place that it is today. Today we fondly remember Dr. William C. Rust who was the first president of California Western University in the US. We cannot forget the generous contribution of Dr. Lilian Beam who purchased 20 acres of property in Kasarani, Nairobi where the campus moved to in 1991. In 1994, Professor Freida Brown assumed the position of the first Vice-Chancellor following the award of its Charter from the Kenyan Government, succeeded Dr. Beam as Executive Director and served USIU-Africa for a total of 21 years.

USIU-Africa @50: A legacy of academic excellence

John Masefield, the British Poet Laureate, once said that

There are few things more enduring than a university.
Religions may split into sect or heresy;
dynasties may perish or be supplanted,
but for century after century the university will continue,
and the stream of life will pass through it,
and the thinker and the seeker will be bound together
in the undying cause of bringing thought into the world.
To be a member of these great societies
must ever be a glad distinction.

USIU-Africa’s existence over the past 50 years has been consistent with Masefield’s words. From its humble beginnings in 1969, USIU-Africa has grown into a renowned private secular university in Kenya, East Africa, and the continent. It opened its doors with 5 students; enrolment did not reach the 500 mark until 1995. At the end of last academic year, enrolment reached 8,383 students who hailed from all the 47 counties in Kenya and 73 countries.

No less remarkable has been the growth of academic programs. In 1977 the university began to offer fully accredited degree programs in Business Administration, Psychology and International Relations. The number of academic programs expanded from 4 in 1990 to 10 in 2000 and 16 in 2010 and currently offering 28 fully accredited programs. Currently, nine programs are under review by our accreditors. They include cutting edge programs in STEM and the Health Sciences designed to respond to the trends and demands of the 21^st century and the digitalized economy and society. Among them are BSc in Data Science, BSc in Software Engineering, MSc in Information Security, and Ph.D., in Information Systems and Technology, which was approved by WSCUC two weeks ago. We also be entering the online space with the establishment of an MBA Online.

As a university we take pride in ensuring access, affordability, and accountability in our academic programs, in providing an excellent education that takes our students places. Through our own resources and partnerships with various donors, we have a financial aid budget of KES 102 million that supports our students. And there is the remarkable student led initiative, Educate Your Own, that currently supports 41 students through scholarships. These achievements continue to be our greatest strength and are a clear indication of the legacy of academic excellence over the last fifty years.

But we are in an era where higher education in Kenya and Africa is facing several challenges, including but not limited to institutional supply, resources, faculty, research, outputs, and leadership. Over the years, these challenges and their solutions have forced us to consider the form in which we may continue to exist and excel. We are increasingly being called upon to offer quality programs to our students and continually innovate in order to overcome these challenges.

Please allow me to briefly elaborate these challenges and how we as a university are trying to deal with them. The first is institutional supply. Despite the rapid growth of higher education institutions and enrollments, Africa still has the world’s lowest share of universities (8.9%) and enrollments (13% compared to the world average of 38%). As noted earlier, enrolments at USIU-Africa have grown but we seek to expand in a responsible manner, matching enrolment growth with provision of adequate faculty and facilities to ensure high quality education.

Second, there are resource challenges evident in insufficient and declining public funding, severe deficits of physical and electronic resources, poor maintenance of existing infrastructures, and they suffer from excessive tuition dependence and limited diversification of resources.

As a university we are working hard to diversify our revenue sources through grants and contracts, research, and fundraising. For example, from 2016-2018 our external research grants doubled from KES 54.4 million to KES 107.4 million. Last academic year we secured KES 118.5 million in new external grants.

Third, many countries and higher education institutions suffer from shortages of qualified faculty and insufficient teaching and learning facilities. Academic salaries are generally lower than other professions, making academic careers less attractive to the best and brightest, which further reduces the faculty pipeline. In Kenya, for example, only 34% of the faculty in the country’s 74 universities have PhD degrees, and many are poorly trained, a problem exacerbated by rising academic fraud including contract cheating for dissertations and predatory journal publications.

At USIU-Africa 73% of our faculty have doctoral degrees. Our student faculty ratios are relatively low. While they are nearly 70:1 in public universities, ours is 1:31, and we intend to lower it still through our program of hiring 21 new faculty every year. The quality of education is fundamentally about the quality of student-faculty engagement.

Fourth, many universities suffer from poor institutional governance, which is engendered by politicized leadership appointments and political meddling, lack of leadership development opportunities, prevalence of cultures of institutional authoritarianism and corruption, and excessive interventions by often understaffed regulatory agencies.

We can all be proud of the high levels of integrity that has characterized the university’s leadership since inception. All the beautiful infrastructure you see on this campus has been built with internal savings. Incidentally, our tuition is no different from other Kenyan universities. And we provide numerous skills and leadership development opportunities for our employees and managers. Last January we established the Institute for Higher Education Research and Leadership Development to train higher education leaders in the region.

Fifth, African universities suffer from unequal internationalization. The continent is not a major player in the lucrative international student market; more African students study abroad than foreign students study in Africa. There is also the age-old problem of intellectual dependence and epistemic extraversion rooted in the histories of colonial and neo-colonial dependence. Much of African scholarship imports and follows, sometimes blindly, analytical paradigms, perspectives, and preoccupations of scholarship in North America and Western Europe.

At USIU-Africa we are proud of the fact that nearly 15% of our students are international, and we also recruit international staff and faculty. And we have dozens of exchange programs and partnerships with other universities around the world as well as corporates, international and intergovernmental agencies such as the African Development Bank and the World Bank.

Finally, these challenges have a far-reaching impact on the quality of education. This is evident in the two crucial products, namely, the quality of graduates and research. Numerous reports indicate that university graduates suffer from high levels of unemployment and underemployment, sometimes higher than for primary and secondary graduates. As for research, Africa accounts for the lowest levels of world researchers and scientific publications (less than 3%), and the lowest levels of gross domestic expenditure on research and development (0.5% compared to the world average of 1.7%).

At USIU-Africa we’re committed to providing our students with employability skills in the classroom and the development of soft skills so highly prized by employers, and through community service and internships. As a university we have also increased our internal research support, from KES 3.5 million in 2016 to KES 12 million.

As we continually face these challenges, we are equally optimistic of the future. In the pursuit of academic, operational and service excellence, we have continued implementing the strategic priorities laid out in our current Strategic Plan in terms of expanding our academic programs and research productivity, revenues and fundraising, physical and electronic facilities, human resources and employee performance, external partnerships and linkages with the private sector, public sector agencies, community organizations, and international and intergovernmental organizations.

Our intentional focus on personalized teaching and learning materials, quality faculty and state of the art learning facilities have delivered more than 19,300 all-rounded and achieving graduates. As we move forward we are now focusing on raising these standards even higher by:

The Chief Guest, Dr. Kevit Desai

Board of Trustees

The Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria

University Council

University Senate

Management Board

Faculty, students, staff and alumni present

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here today as we celebrate 50 years of an institution whose purpose Dr. William Rust envisioned as doing significant, worthwhile work on a limited basis. I am sure that all of you can agree that we have kept up this spirit, and that USIU-Africa has done unlimited, significant and game changing work!

As we look at the last fifty years, I would like to recognize and appreciate the visionaries who led this institution and worked extremely hard to ensure that USIU-Africa is at the place that it is today. Today we fondly remember Dr. William C. Rust who was the first president of California Western University in the US. We cannot forget the generous contribution of Dr. Lilian Beam who purchased 20 acres of property in Kasarani, Nairobi where the campus moved to in 1991. In 1994, Professor Freida Brown assumed the position of the first Vice Chancellor following the award of its Charter from the Kenyan Government, succeeded Dr. Beam as Executive Director and served USIU-Africa for a total of 21 years.

This occasion comes at a time when we are concluding our strategic plan. We are proud of the achievements that we have been able to accomplish in the last five years and I would like to highlight some of them. During this period, we successfully launched four programs namely BSc. Finance, BA. Film Production and Directing, BSc. Epidemiology & Biostatistics, MA. Marriage & Family Therapy. The launch of the School of Graduate Studies, Research and Extension has seen our research productivity increase in the last two years. The pride of any university lies in its ability to engage in cutting edge research and we aim to continue increasing our research productivity in the next strategic plan. Our research and academic partnerships have also grown significantly and are impacting students, staff and faculty.

USIU-Africa @50: A legacy of academic excellence

From a humble beginning in 1977 offering accredited full degree programs in Business Administration, Psychology and International Relations to a renowned private university in Kenya. The university did not reach the 500 mark in student enrolments until 1995. Enrollment has continued to grow from the initial 5 students in 1969 to 8383 at the end of the 2017-2018 Academic Year and 73 different nationalities from across the world are represented. The number of academic programs expanded from 4 in 1990 to 10 in 2000 and 16 in 2010 and currently offering 27 fully accredited programs. USIU-Africa has a financial aid budget of Kes. 102, 000, 000 accessible through twenty nine programs. These achievements continue to be our greatest strength and are a clear indication of the legacy of academic excellence over the last fifty years.

In its fifty years, USIU-Africa has always strived to ensure that we go the extra mile to ensure the employability of our graduates by implementing several path breaking initiatives, and in so doing, put them at the vanguard of the 4^th Industrial Revolution.

The work place is already experiencing significant shifts and USIU-Africa is adapting to that change. A majority of jobs being created are in emerging fields, particularly in the ICT sector. According to the World Economic Forum, four specific technological advances—ubiquitous high-speed mobile internet; Artificial Intelligence; widespread adoption of Big Data Analytics; and cloud technology—are set to dominate the next four years as drivers positively affecting business growth. As more young people continue to enter the job markets, these are the key areas we must innovate in order to stay relevant.

By establishing initiatives such as the AppFactory, the only one in Kenya and the 14^th one in Africa in partnership with Microsoft, the Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Program supported by the Devki Group, the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project in partnership with the World Bank, the Coding for Employment Center of Excellence through the African Development Bank, the Innovation and Incubation Centre at USIU-Africa, the Social Media Lab (SIMELab) supported by the American Embassy, we have given our students an opportunity to develop and hone their skills before entering the job market.

Our efforts have not gone unrewarded. We have been recognized at the prestigious CIO 100 Annual Awards, where we scooped the education award and the 15^th spot in the top 100 firms recognized for their innovative use of ICT. We have also been recognized by KENET as having the best internet connectivity for the past two years. This award recognizes the University’s efforts towards providing the highest bandwidth per student ratio amongst all Higher Education Institutions nationally.

A legacy of service excellence

Since 2015, the USIU-Africa community has become part of a larger movement that is changing the narrative for students pursing higher education. USIU-Africa is committed to attracting the very best students from across the globe, to study and learn at all levels, regardless of their background or circumstance.

We are proud of our community and initiatives that we have been working on for the last fifty years. One notable initiative is Educate Your Own (EYO), which is a student driven initiative whose overall goal is achieving a zero dropout rate among continuing USIU-Africa experiencing financial constraints.

A legacy of operational excellence

Our success could not have been without the meticulous planning and execution by highly qualified staff. USIU-Africa has implemented several management initiatives that has seen it improve on its efficiency and service delivery in the last two years. Restructuring both staff and faculty positions to match the new management structures was done to ensure that the University attracts and retains the best talent in the country.

In 2016 and 2017, USIU-Africa won the African Excellence Awards under the category science and education and crisis communications respectively.

The creation of new structures of doing business, introduction of new divisions and departments were instrumental in providing guidance on the way forward. In addition, people management has become part and parcel of the discussion in the workplace to foster productivity.

The University is constantly growing in order to deliver on its mandate. This involves a rigorous and intensive manpower planning that informs the hiring process guided by the needs at the University and overall strategic growth. In 2018, USIU-Africa was among ten other institutions of higher learning that participated in the annual Employer of the Year awards and only two of those institutions were recognized. USIU-Africa emerged top ten in the overall tally and it was recognized under the workplace environment and responsible business conduct categories respectively. The implementation of job evaluations, organization review process and restructuring job grades to match the market rates were some of the successes that led to this recognition.

In 2019, USIU-Africa was ranked in position 7 overall under the Responsible Business Conduct category. USIU-Africa was the university and non-profit institution to be recognized and ranked in this category.

USIU-Africa: The University of the Future

We are equally optimistic of the future. In the pursuit of academic, operational and service excellence, we will continue to expand our academic programs and research productivity, revenues and fundraising, physical and electronic facilities, human resources and employee performance, external partnerships and linkages with the private sector, public sector agencies, community organizations, and international and intergovernmental organizations.

Our intentional focus on personalized teaching and learning materials, quality faculty and state of the art learning facilities have delivered more than 19,300 all-rounded and achieving graduates. As we move forward we are now focusing on raising these standards even higher by lowering the faculty to students ratio to 1:31 as we hire more faculty; launching the first full online programs, launching new cutting edge academic programs namely: Masters in Cyber Security, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Gaming, among others, provision of technology to enhance the already high standards of learning materials and facilities, doubling the classrooms and learning spaces with completion of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), construction of a 1,200 bed capacity student hostel complex and completion of the new hospital complex for research, teaching and learning.

We are proud of our achievements in the past 50 years, and it is our sincere hope that we will surpass these achievements over the course of the next 50 years. In 50 years, USIU- Africa hopes to have been at the forefront of the achievement of one of the African Union’s goals, namely: “ “[To] build and expand an African knowledge society through transformation and investments in universities, science, technology, research and innovation; and through the harmonization of education standards and mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications [as well as] establish an African Accreditation Agency to develop and monitor educational quality standards across the continent.”

Thank you!

The University Leadership,

Professors,

Students,

Members of the USIU Community,

Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening.

I am pleased to have you all here. Thank you all for turning up.

Allow me to begin by congratulating the university management, the leadership, faculty, students and the USIU fraternity for inviting me to this beautiful and coveted institution to share my ideas on the Kenya’s Grand Strategy. I am honoured to have been invited and indeed pleased to be here to raise discussions on a topic of great significance to our nation. This is yet another opportunity to come here since the last time I was invited by the former VC Prof. Freida Brown. Therefore, for this opportunity, I specially thank Prof. Munene Macharia for inviting me.

In speaking about Kenya’s grand strategy in a changing world, I have structured my presentation into four parts. First I will explore the context of the international relations environment that portrays the changing world. Second, I will interrogate the concept of grand strategy, its evolution and how I consider it in the contemporary international relations. Next is to present Kenya’s grand strategy given the evolving global arena, and finally wrap up with brief remarks on Kenya’s foreign policy priorities and the centrality of our national interests.

1. An overview of the international environment
   1. As they say, “wisdom is to live in tune with the mode of the changing world”. Therefore, I want to discuss Kenya’s Grand Strategy in the changing world, but before I do, let me take a few minutes to give an overview of the international environment within which Kenya’s grand strategy is envisaged and implemented.
   2. Today, international relations are at a turning point in history. Indeed, it is becoming clear that the global balance of power is transforming. The world is experiencing a shift in global order as new alliances and rivalries emerge. The old unipolar or bipolar order has given way to the forces of the next world order. The emerging powers, new actors, evolving interests, and the assertiveness of developing states are recalibrating the global status quo.
   3. We are witnessing a more complex and fragmented world system, where global multilateralism is on the verge of crisis and is beckoning reforms. Global governance is increasingly being distorted and weakened by the pressure of unilateralism and protectionism. States, especially leading powers, continue to undermine international organizations and institutions in pursuit of their short-term geopolitical interests.
   4. The global powers are embroiled in mischievous and dangerous intrigues, pursuing unilateralism, and militarism hence undermining the global values and established international relations principles of human solidarity, human rights, sovereignty, rule of law, democracy, and diplomacy. The outcome is diminished global leadership and a lack of collective approach to global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and the Gaza crisis. The latter has spilled into the Red Sea crisis which is now threatening our region’s maritime strategic interests.
   5. Increasingly, states are beset with global dangers such as violent extremisms, inter-state violent conflicts, climate change risks, pandemics, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and economic volatility among other severe human security threats. Additionally, states across the world find themselves in a complex situation of competition, confrontation, and cooperation. As such, rising and traditional powers are currently engaged in a new scramble for Africa literally transforming the continent into a new theatre of Cold War resurgence. Consequently, the region and continent are becoming vulnerable to geopolitical manipulations by these competing powers.
   6. We need to be cautious as a continent since this new scramble for Africa and indeed the renewed zero-sum Cold War mentality will potentially fragment the region and weaken African regional organizations such as AU, IGAD, and EAC among others.
   7. Under these circumstances, Kenya must pursue a robust, pragmatic, and strategic foreign policy hinged on diplomatic wisdom and tact. Kenya will endeavor to lead the region and continent in rallying a common and well-coordinated diplomatic response to the new scramble and geopolitical influences by emerging and traditional powers. This is to ensure the security and prosperity of our people, as well as promote regional cooperation and peaceful co-existence for mutual benefit.
2. The concept of Grand Strategy
   1. Ladies and gentlemen, at this point, let me now interrogate the concept of grand strategy. Since conceptually, grand strategy is all-encompassing, my focus will be on the grand strategy for foreign relations which is not only restricted to military or defense strategy but includes a wide range of international activities that are aimed at advancing Kenya’s strategic interests in the global arena. The aim is to highlight certain issues that will inform your academic debate later.
   2. In an ever-evolving global arena, a grand strategy enables the country to develop anticipatory policies that will empower it to navigate the dynamic landscape of 21^st-century international relations.
   3. Historically, grand strategy was more concerned with military sources of power to pursue and secure national interests. However, today, non-military sources of power have increasingly become essential. These include diplomacy, economy, and technology. Thus, in the contemporary world, a grand strategy is not only for war times but also during peace and development.
   4. Notably, militarization in foreign policy seems to be yielding ground to geoeconomics. Even as some actors continue to use force as a means of global influence, geo-economics is largely being embraced where states focus on the use of economic tools such as trade policies, foreign investment, global financial systems, economic sanctions, foreign aid and grants to promote and defend their national interests and achieve imperative geopolitical objectives.
   5. The ‘grandness’ of the strategy is based on the fact that the policy goals and interests are long-term rather than immediate or short-term. In sum, our collective policy strategies constitute a grand strategy. Our grand strategy employs economic, diplomatic, defence, technological, and other means to achieve foreign policy objectives. We as policy practitioners and government seek to manage and maximize all state resources (which by the way are limited), in achieving Kenya’s national interests. And an efficient way of doing this is through a grand strategy.
   6. Anyway, I just noted that the term grand strategy is absent or not frequently used in media and public policy discourses. Apparently, it remains confined to academic debates. (as we are doing now). Therefore, today’s topic is timely. It speaks to the need to ignite public discussions on grand strategy beyond academia. We need to be strategic in our foreign policy projection in this rapidly changing world that is said to be volatile, uncertain, and ambiguous.
3. Kenya’s grand strategy in a Changing World
   1. Ladies and gentlemen, let me now narrow down to Kenya’s grand strategy in the evolving world system. From this end, I can confirm that Kenya’s foreign policy outlook is replete with opportunities and risks that are being shaped by global critical geopolitics. So a grand strategy is a necessity for the survival of our state as well as the pursuit of global opportunities for the prosperity, peace, and security of our nation. The framework of approach to this discussion is that states must look after their self-interests in an international system of competition for power and all that contributes to the attainment of national interests. Therefore, states must design and implement grand strategies for their survival.
   2. To begin with, I may summarise our foreign policy philosophy as that of being Global in scope, but Pan-African in nature. We adhere to a globally relevant Pan-Africanism for mutually beneficial relations where Kenya plays a leading role in an Africa that is willing and equipped to negotiate for its rightful space in the international arena. Kenya champions, and remains committed to, the interests of Africa in international relations. This is why Kenya’s position is that as much as we highlight the global crises such as Gaza and Ukraine-Russia conflicts, we should not forget the ongoing crises, and intractable conflicts in our continent which continue to kill our people and impoverish the continent.
   3. We must confront the uncomfortable truth that Africa’s conflicts and crises are too often quickly relegated to the sidelines of international discourse as soon as supposedly priority conflicts emerge in other parts of the world. The crisis of humanitarianism is with us today.
   4. The evolving global peace and security challenges have compounded the challenges of our time. As of 2023, over 37 million people had been forcibly displaced in Africa. In the period between February 2019 and February 2024, the UNHCR reports that conflict fatalities from selected African countries reached 208,000. Further, conflicts continue to be major drivers of the food crisis in Africa. It is estimated that 121 million Africans are facing severe acute food insecurity, and 82% of this number are in conflict-affected countries.
   5. Further, the crises on the continent have led to the damage and closure of thousands of schools translating into an estimated 98 million children in Africa being out of school, the majority of them in conflict-affected areas.
   6. Therefore, although acknowledging the interconnectedness of conflicts and crises globally and regionally, Kenya stands for global solidarity, equity, fairness, and collective security where crises receive equal attention. Kenya supports the view that security threats in one part of the world should be treated as a threat to the entire world and all actors should collectively address it. So, in the shadow of global conflicts, let us not forget the silent suffering of our own people in Africa.
   7. Similarly, Kenya notes the geo-strategic constraints that landlocked countries face are increasingly becoming major drivers of conflicts on the continent. There are 16 landlocked countries in Africa with a combined estimated population of 378 million people. Kenya advocates for the establishment of a Contact Group or Working Group to discuss, negotiate, and assess the concerns of the often-forgotten landlocked countries and sticking contentious issues or conflicts relating to maritime access.
   8. For instance, what is the plight of landlocked countries in Africa given the complex global crises impacting our continent and the Eastern Africa region? For example, with the Red Sea waterway crisis, many Eastern African states have been affected economically and security-wise. However, when the cost of shipping, freight insurance, and goods goes up due to the Red Sea crisis, the impact is possibly double for the landlocked states that rely on the coastal countries.
   9. Kenya has a remarkable record of contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security. Kenya remains committed to seeking peace and security in Somalia, Sudan, and DRC among others. Unfortunately, the crises in these states seem to be sliding into globally forgotten conflicts as international actors shift their attention to other supposedly pressing wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. In the hour of need, Kenya has always stepped forward as the brother’s keeper. Presently, Kenya’s peace diplomacy is fine-tuned, and more purposeful. Our country has developed strategies to reap the dividends of its peace diplomacy.
   10. Kenya is fully committed to the principles of peaceful co-existence, non-interference, and respect for sovereignty. We believe that it is in this way that we can enjoy positive reciprocity and our sovereignty being respected too.
   11. Kenya views the international system as not structured in a binary of West or East. As a state, we endeavor to be at peace with other states and seek to establish mutually beneficial ties with as many states as possible in the world. The zero-sum Cold War approach has to be replaced with cooperation, mutual respect, and collective security.
   12. Likewise, global issues of consequence such as climate change, global health diplomacy, conflicts, and socio-economic challenges cannot be addressed by one state, nor by linear rigid alliances based on the South-North or East-West poles. Greater collective action and coordination in global governance are now needed more than ever.
   13. The United Nations remains the main platform for global governance. Thus Kenya continues to promote adherence to the U.N. Charter, as the best way of responding to global questions of our time. Moreover, collective security, international rules, and global trade and financial norms must be pursued within a framework of multilateralism and mutual non-aggression.
   14. The 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement was held early this year in Uganda. With a membership of 120-plus countries, the Movement stands as the largest group of countries after the United Nations. Kenya endorses the Movement’s agenda of increasing cooperation among developing states to influence global affairs. In this regard, Kenya continues to strategically pursue positive non-alignment. To quote former British Prime Minister who was also once the Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston, “We have no eternal allies, we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests are our duty to pursue”.
   15. We support the view that global governance should operate within a reformed multilateral framework. For instance, Kenya advocates for a multilateral trade and financial system that is founded on equity, inclusion, and fairness. One that promotes prosperity for all and does not prioritize the dominance of one or a few.
   16. Ladies and gentlemen, the essence of contemporary diplomatic relations is mutual benefit. Regional integration provides a huge opportunity for win-win diplomatic outcomes. Kenya will continue to strengthen its position in the development and leadership of integration in the Eastern Africa region by leveraging its geostrategic location, skilled human resources, and advanced economy in the region.
   17. The gradual and pragmatic expansion of the EAC is good for our region’s economic prosperity, peace, and security. The entry of Somalia is the beginning of the expansion of the regional bloc towards the Horn of Africa. This ‘Horn-wards’ expansion of EAC is welcome as it will not only solidify efforts towards peace and security in the entire Eastern Africa, but it will also open tremendous economic opportunities for our people in the region.
   18. The friendly and cooperative ties with our neighbourly states within the East African Community are the number one referents of our foreign policy. As a region, we have become increasingly interdependent hence trade tensions and absolute detachment are no longer justifiable within our East African Community.
   19. The future of our region and continent depends on deepening integration, not deepening divisions. Kenya, as a core state in the region and Africa, is committed to the promotion of intra-Africa trade under the collective aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union’s agenda of visa liberalization to foster Africa’s integration. Kenya engages in transnational infrastructural connectivity to enhance intra-Africa trade and people-to-people relations.
   20. Kenya continues to steer its economic diplomacy for the development of our country and prosperity of its people. Kenya aims to be a competitive, export-led economy and responsive job creation for our people. We will focus on fostering sustainable development and economic growth through diversification, innovation and strategic partnerships. These include strategic Economic Partnerships with the EU, Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership with USA, Comprehensive Economic bilateral agreements with Japan, China, and UAE to mention a few. In our grand plan going forward, these strategic agreements will be unbundled and frequently explained to our citizens.
   21. Globally, developing states are becoming assertive and this is no exception with our Republic. Like all state actors in the international system, we should operate by the realpolitik maxim that our nation is a unitary and rational actor in international relations. It faces the outside world as a monolithic actor representing the proud citizens of Kenya. This indeed is what defines our patriotism. Remember that foreign policy is a function of domestic policy. Our internal unity of purpose and love of our country will positively project Kenya’s position and image in the global arena. This is what attracts foreign investment, opens lucrative opportunities for our people, and enhances partnerships that transform the lives of Kenyans from the bottom up.
   22. Thus, in our grand plan, we want to close the missing link between the country’s foreign policy and the citizen’s understanding and engagement in our international affairs. This is to be achieved through direct public participation or advanced parliamentary engagements on foreign policy.
   23. Parliamentary diplomacy has become important in global affairs. For years, successive administrations have been shying away from engaging and sharing their foreign policy with parliament. It is my intention to break away from this. In our grand foreign policy plan, parliament is a key player.
   24. Indeed, our global image as a leading democracy in the region cannot be gainsaid. Strengthening parliamentary democracy, deepening rule of law and empowering institutions to fight corruption informs our grand strategy. Kenya has an impeccable history of on-schedule democratic transfer of power.
   25. This will be backed by a reformed and effective foreign service, a robust diaspora engagement, a skilled and innovative workforce for domestic and global service, and a dynamic patriotic citizenry. Our foreign service is under the technical direction of two youthful and vibrant Principal Secretaries. The desired results in foreign policy will be achieved through the teamwork of government ministries and agencies that include, and not limited to, Trade, Agriculture, Treasury, Labour, among others. After all, ours is a foreign policy of the Republic of Kenya not a single ministry or organ of the government.
   26. Kenya continues to leverage its soft diplomacy tools such as cultural exchanges, training, capacity building, peace interventions, sports, and art. Our sports people especially athletes continue to raise our flag and image globally. Kenya will also promote sports tourism by hosting and supporting international sporting events. In our grand strategy, we shall support Creative Arts by marketing Kenya as film production destination and supporting the internationalization of local film production and content. This will go a long way to develop the creative economy and further support Kenya’s projection of its soft power diplomacy. The establishment of a pool of veterans for mediation and special envoys on peace, technology, and blue economy, for instance, is part of the grand schemes in projecting Kenya’s image to attract investment, promote tourism, and strengthen diplomatic ties.
   27. Diaspora engagement has been invigorated to contribute to Kenya’s national development agenda. The government of Kenya has designated a fully-fledged State Department for Diaspora Affairs under a Principal Secretary. As one of the pillars of our foreign policy, Diaspora diplomacy aims to harness the diverse skills, knowledge, expertise, and resources of Kenyans abroad, and facilitate their integration into the national development agenda. The Diaspora are our cultural and economic ambassadors. The Central Bank of Kenya revealed that remittances Kenyans abroad in the 12 months to November 2023 was $4.19 billion up from $4.028 billion in the same period in 2022. Kenya continues to engage global partners to diversify and increase international employment opportunities for its citizens.
   28. Kenya has centralized technology diplomacy to position itself as a regional frontrunner in the digital diplomacy sphere. Tech diplomacy facilitates diplomatic outreach and networking, enhances global visibility, and cultural exchanges. Tech diplomacy offers a novel way to negotiate, cooperate, and address pressing global challenges of our time such as climate change, industrialization, digital divide, cybersecurity, misinformation and disinformation, and rapidly advancing information space. The appointment of the Special Envoy for Technology attests to the significance that Kenya attaches to tech diplomacy.
   29. We are grateful that our foreign policies are actively executed by our President, His Excellency William Ruto, who plays the role of Kenya’s chief diplomat. He has also cut an international niche in matters of climate change. For instance, the Africa Climate Summit hosted by Kenya reignited action and discussions on carbon markets, climate financing, and unlocking Africa’s green energy potential.
   30. Kenya continues to pitch on summit diplomacy which has seen the president lead our foreign policy from the front, directly engaging other heads of state and government. The emerging trend today is the continuous use of high-level visits, including state visits by state leaders to drive their foreign policy agendas. This is why, like other strategic world leaders, the president and the Prime Cabinet Secretary have invigorated our foreign engagements through trips abroad to various strategic partner states.
   31. Finally, Kenya’s foreign policy runs on vigorous diplomacy and not aggressive confrontation; one that is more decisive, with more pointed national interests, and not transactional. Quiet diplomacy rather than trumpet diplomacy remains the foremost instrument of foreign policy in Kenya’s harmonious relations with other states. This will, of course, be guided by research-based decision-making. In this regard, the Foreign Service Academy will be a key resource. Through the Academy, the ministry will also engage relevant government and non-governmental research institutions like USIU, civil society, and think tanks.
4. Concluding Remarks
   1. In sum, Kenya’s foreign policy priorities will include crafting and deepening the right diplomatic ties that will contribute to addressing domestic policy demands, invigorating economic diplomacy, expanding international cooperation, deepening and expanding regional integration to promote the African Continental Free Trade Area objectives, contributing to regional stability to accelerate economic development, championing climate justice and equitable response to pandemics, being at the frontline of technological diplomacy, diversifying transnational employment opportunities for our citizens, elevating globally relevant Pan-Africanism, advancing global reforms in multilateral financial and socio-economic organizations and promoting the equitable application of international law.
   2. At the heart of our national interests lie the following: economic diplomacy meant to ramp up the Bottom-up Transformation Economic Agenda, global health diplomacy that has culminated in diplomatic agreements aimed at elevating our health sector, cultural diplomacy especially sports and creative arts meant to diversify global opportunities for our youths, diaspora engagement, regional peace diplomacy leadership for development, climate change and maritime-domain diplomacy.
   3. Today, Kenya has evolved from perceived limited geopolitical roles to regional and global prominence. Kenya’s geopolitical ascend under President Ruto’s leadership has made our country the strongest link in the chain of regional and continental unity. The position of our country is not fringe; we are at the centre of decision-making to answer regional and global diplomatic questions. Therefore, I agree with today’s thesis that we shall be exposing our country to diplomatic self-harm if we do not start thinking deliberately about designing and implementing a grand strategy. Indeed, to quote Zhuge Liang, “The wise win before the fight, while the ignorant fight to win.” Strategic planning is essential.
   4. Before I conclude, may I pay tribute to former foreign affairs ministers on whose shoulders we are standing to continue projecting the grand strategy of our foreign policy. These include Argwings Kodhek, Mbiyu Koinange, Njoroge Mungai, Munyua Waiyaki, and Dr. Robert Ouko to name a few.
   5. To end, I wish to recognize and thank the Professor here, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and indeed the university for running this Research Seminar on Grand Strategy. This is a great contribution to the progress of our Republic because it trains a critical mass of the next generation leaders knowledgeable in international relations strategic thinking, that enables them to design, implement, and review Kenya’s grand strategy.

Thank you very much.

July 17, 2019 – Nairobi, Kenya – United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa), in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, launched the Social Media Consumption in Kenya report in Nairobi today. The survey sampled 3,269 respondents aged between 14 and 55 from eight counties drawn from Nairobi, Coast, Central, Western, Nyanza, Eastern, Rift Valley, and North Eastern between December 2018 and March 2019.

According to the 2017/2018 Communication Authority of Kenya report, the number of mobile data subscriptions in Kenya currently stands at 40.7 million, 38 percent more than in the same period the previous year ,with the internet penetration in the country at 83 percent based on the Internet World Statistics. This indicates that a majority of Kenyans have access to the internet through their mobile phones, computers and internet enabled devices. This has led to the growth of internet consumption in Kenya at home (70 percent), at the office and on the go using mobile internet access or public WIFIs (58 percent).

While most Kenyans use social media to stay in touch with friends and family, the survey found the main reasons they use social media were to access news, politics, and entertainment. The report further indicates that most Kenyans aged 21-35 spend an average of three hours per day on social media. The study also showed that a majority of Kenyans use WhatsApp and Facebook as their preferred platforms, with 88.6 percent using WhatsApp and 88.5 percent using Facebook.

Speaking during the report launch event, Paul Watzlavick, the Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy, said, “The United States is proud to support SIMELab and their groundbreaking research into Kenyan social media. The future is digital, so that’s where we need to be: generating innovative solutions to global challenges together.”

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Zeleza mentioned that Kenya is leading in social media usage in Africa and it has become an increasingly available platform to young people who are using it to create jobs in the digital space. He further added that the lab is one of a kind in East Africa researching on the youth about the issues that matter to them the most.

SIMELab is the first Social Media Consumption and Analytics Research Lab in all of Africa designed specifically to study social media. It is an interdisciplinary center formed to undertake research in Big Data and Social Media analytics by blending theoretical frameworks and analysis from academia with the experiences of businesses, government, and civil society. The lab will further provide consultancy services to support a wide range of research such as impact evaluation, advocacy, training, and education. The lab received a grant of over 20 million

Kenyan shillings from the U.S. Embassy as a sign of the United States’ commitment to addressing key social media issues in Kenya and Africa, including fighting fake news and misinformation through the ongoing #StopReflectVerify campaign.

#ENDS#

Notes for editors

1. Interviews. To arrange, please contact:

Dr. Patrick Wamuyu,

Associate Professor of Information Technology, USIU-Africa

Tel: +254 722 309076

E: pwamuyu@usiu.ac.ke

About USIU-Africa

The mission of United States International University – Africa, is to promote the discovery and application of knowledge, the acquisition of skills, and the development of intellect and character in a manner that prepares students to contribute effectively in an increasingly technological world. The institutions vision is to be a premier institution of academic excellence with a global perspective.

USIU-Africa’s 27 programs at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels, are accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (USA) and by the Commission for University Education (Kenya). This dual accreditation guarantees quality global education and transferability of credits from USIU-Africa to any university in Kenya, the United States and the rest of the world.

Wednesday, July 27, 2022, Nairobi, Kenya – The first and second cohort of 170 trainees has graduated from the Cyber Shujaa program run by the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) in partnership with Kenya Bankers Association and Serianu Limited. The program is funded by the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE).

The program seeks to address existing gaps within the ICT and Cybersecurity sector in Africa by continuously analyzing the market and industry for ICT talent needs, designing practical curriculums for these needs, conducting vigorous training for the participants, and providing market placement and mentorship of these youth.

The program offers Data Protection training, which had a total of 90 graduates selected from 47 banks in Kenya drawn from the fields of Risk, IT, Security, and Compliance or Legal. The Cybersecurity Analyst Training had 80 trainees, with 10 already placed with different organizations.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, USIU-Africa Interim Vice Chancellor Prof. Freida Brown said that the graduates from the Cyber Shujaa Program will assist their organizations to become more compliant with Data Protection and Cyber Security.

“Today, we are able to see the impact of this program since its launch. The trainees you see here today have gained practical skills in Compliance with Data Protection Regulations including Data Inventory, Impact Assessment, Policy documentation, Incident Handling and Data Privacy Governance. In addition, 40% of them have been able to take their organizations through the registration process for the Data Protection Act,” she said.

Speaking during the graduation held at USIU-Africa, Central Bank of Kenya Deputy Governor Ms. Sheila M’Mbijiwe noted that the training was a major contribution to creating a safer and secure cyberspace that underpins the Kenyan financial sector.

“Today’s graduation is a confirmation that Kenya is making important strides in protectcing our peoples’ data in all sectors of the economy. We will all leverage technology to ensure that our organizations implement IT security systems and awareness training programs,” she added.

“What really motivated us to partner with USIU-Africa is their commitment to provide their students with the skills that are in high demand right now and a willingness to be innovative in their curriculum delivery to meet the needs of the modern workforce. Professionals are no longer receiving adequate cybersecurity training on the job, and many firms are already having trouble filling cybersecurity positions. Additional on-the-job training, new certifications, and accessible cybersecurity and data privacy courses are needed to fill the gaps. A multi-agency approach is key to bridging the gaps,” said William Makatiani, the Chief Executive Officer, Serianu.

#ENDS#

About USIU-Africa
USIU–Africa is one of the leading private Universities in Kenya, representing over 70 nationalities undertaking 35 Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral programs. It is the only University in the region with dual accreditation in Kenya by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

About Kenya Bankers Association
Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) is the financial sector's leading advocacy group and the umbrella body of the institutions licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) with a current membership of 47 financial institutions. KBA continues to reinforce a reputable and professional banking sector in a bid to best support Kenyans, who entrust their ambitions and hard-earned resources with its member banks.

About Serianu
Serianu is Africa’s foremost cyber security consulting and training firm. Founded 10 years ago in Kenya, the firm today operates across East, South and West Africa, working with clients to use their information assets to save money, reduce risk and to discover and realize new opportunities for their business through deeper insights of customers, markets and performance.

Media Contacts
United States International University-Africa
Paula Musuva, Lecturer, Forensic Information Technology
Phone: +254 730 116 152
Email: pmusuva@usiu.ac.ke

Kenya Bankers Association
Dr. Habil Olaka, CEO
Phone: +254-20-222 1704 /222 4014 /222 4015 /221 7757
Email: HOlaka@Kba.co.ke

Serianu Limited
Brencil Kaimba
Phone: +254 716 137 017
Email: brencil.kaimba@serianu.com

Dear USIU-Africa Community,

After careful consideration and review of the current economic conditions, the University’s management has determined not to review tuition fees which is ordinarily the case at the beginning of the academic year (September) with exception of the following programs:

*Fees per unit

BSc. Applied Computer Technology and BSc. Information System Technology have been increased by approximately 15% for new students enrolled from the Fall Semester 2022, while the other listed programs will have their fees revised downwards for both continuing and new students. These programs are relatively new and the revised pricing has been aligned with existing programs to encourage students to enroll for the same.

As a university, we remain committed to our core mandate of supporting our students and strengthening our community by providing an ‘education to take you places’.

Note: All other fees, costs and charges will remain the same.

Attached is the 2022/2023 Fee Schedule for your reference.

For any further inquiries on this matter, kindly contact:
Finance Department - Student Accounts.
Email: finance@usiu.ac.ke or
Phone: +254 736 116 509 /221 /224 /403

Regards,
Office of the Vice Chancellor

For Immediate Release

USIU-Africa awards Bachelor of Pharmacy degrees for the first time

September 26, 2020 – Nairobi, Kenya – USIU-Africa awarded 27 Bachelor of Pharmacy degrees for the first time in its 51-year old history, during its 42^nd virtual graduation ceremony. During the ceremony, the university awarded one thousand one hundred and sixty-six (1166) degrees, eight hundred and twenty one (821) Bachelor’s Degrees, three hundred and thirty five (335) Masters Degrees and ten (10) Doctoral Degrees. The Pharmacy program was launched in 2015 and it aims to provide diverse, state of the art, rigorous and innovative approaches to healthcare training, practice and research through the use of a holistic view of health, focus and commitment to excellence.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza congratulated the graduates adding that this graduation ceremony was particularly a first in many ways for USIU-Africa.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Class of 2020 for being pioneers, as the first class in our University’s history to graduate virtually, and highlight the achievements by the Bachelor of Pharmacy students, which could not have come at a better time, as you now join the frontlines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

He congratulated the students for achieving this critical milestone and admired their unrelenting will to forge forward and especially recognized the role that will be played by the first cohort of Pharmacy students even as the world is battling a global pandemic.

“I am glad to know that today, we commission the first cohort of Pharmacy students who will be joining the healthcare workforce as they find lasting solutions to deal with this pandemic and future pandemics,” he added.

Following the prolonged closure of learning institutions in the country due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the government directed universities to continue learning using online learning platforms and conduct virtual graduation ceremonies. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) estimates that over 17 million enrolled learners across the country are affected.

Globally, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reports indicate that close to 90 percent of the world’s student population continue to suffer because of prolonged closure of learning institutions across the world affecting over 1.2 billion children and youth.

The chief guest, the President of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera observed that most learning institutions have shifted to online learning in order to continue learning but the digital divide has made it very difficult for learners to access online classes.

“The challenges of infrastructure and access, equity, quality of teaching and learning and assessment are alive now more than ever as the world moves to embrace online teaching and learning. These challenges have far-reaching impact in Africa where majority of learners do not have access to internet services and IT learning devices,” he said.

Once Kenya confirmed its first case in Mid-March, USIU-Africa immediately shifted to online teaching and learning, which is supported by robust ICT systems to ensure that students continued learning throughout the year by injecting Kshs. 63, 524, 571 annually to expand the e-learning infrastructure and an additional Kshs. 30, 000, 000 to boost e-resources at the Library. The university was among the first institutions to put in place examination protocols that accommodates the changed mode of learning through a combination of two solutions on the Learning Management System, Blackboard: Respondus Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor. In order to ensure a seamless transition, USIU-Africa partnered with internet service providers, Safaricom and Telkom to offer subsidized mobile data bundles to students and faculty to enhance online learning and teaching.

#ENDS#

Notes for editors

1. Interviews

To arrange, please contact:

Prof. Paul Zeleza

Vice Chancellor, USIU-Africa

Email: vc@usiu.ac.ke

Tel: +254 730 116 412

2. About USIU-Africa

USIU–Africa is one of the leading private Universities in Kenya representing over 70 nationalities undertaking 29 Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral programs and it is the only university in the region with dual accreditation in Kenya by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

For Immediate Release

October 14, 2023 Nairobi, Kenya – The United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) has today conferred an inaugural honorary Doctor of Laws upon its Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to philanthropy, business, charitable endeavors, and peace-building efforts in Kenya and around the world.

Dr. Chandaria, a luminary figure in the field of philanthropy and global leadership, was among the cohort of 1,243 graduands (872 Undergraduate, 348 Graduate and 23 Doctoral students) from 30 nationalities who received their degrees at USIU-Africa's 45th Graduation ceremony.

The ceremony was presided over by the Interim Vice Chancellor, Dr. Omolola E. Omole-Odubekun who reiterated the University’s commitment to providing quality education.

“In its 54 years of existence, USIU-Africa’s discharge of its mandate of teaching and learning has been predicated on the promotion of the discovery and application of knowledge, the acquisition of skills and the development of intellect and character in a manner which prepares students to contribute effectively and ethically as citizens of a changing and increasingly technological world. This is evident in the quality of education offered here at USIU-Africa, which goes beyond the classroom and seeks to develop people who are responsible towards the community, creative and capable of critical thought on the solutions to the world’s most challenging issues. Education for us is not just about the accumulation of knowledge, but the application of that knowledge to impactful ends,” she said.

The University Council Chair, Mr. Kris Senanu expressed his gratitude to Dr. Chandaria for his unwavering support and dedication to creating a lasting impact in Kenya and across the globe.

“This year’s ceremony holds particular significance as we bestow an honorary Doctor of Laws upon our esteemed Chancellor, Dr. Manu Chandaria, in recognition of his visionary leadership and philanthropic contributions to society. USIU-Africa bestows honorary degrees selectively upon remarkable individuals whose outstanding achievements, lifetime contributions, and prominence in a particular field or endeavor align closely with the core values of USIU-Africa. It goes without saying that Dr. Chandaria’s selfless service to both the nation and the world at large are an embodiment of the values USIU-Africa holds closely in action,” he said.

In his remarks, Dr. Chandaria expressed his gratitude to the university for choosing to honor his work and service which spans over seven decades.

“I am profoundly grateful to accept USIU-Africa's inaugural honorary doctorate. This accolade holds a special place in my life's journey, one that commenced over seven decades ago. Upon graduating from university in 1951, I began my career working alongside my father, all the while harboring a deep desire to bring about transformative change in people's lives,” he said.

As the Chairman of Chandaria Foundation, Dr. Chandaria was instrumental in setting up the Chandaria School of Business at United States International University-Africa, Chandaria Business Innovation and Incubation Centre at the Kenyatta University, Chandaria Centre for Performing Arts at the University of Nairobi, Chandaria Accident and Emergency center and Day theatres at Nairobi Hospital, Chandaria Accident and Emergency center at Pandya Hospital Mombasa, Chandaria Medical Centre at Gertrude’s Children's Hospital, Chandaria MIHV Health Centre at Dagoretti Nairobi, Chandaria Mji Wa Huruma Clinic in Runda, Chandaria Bodi Health Centre, and Chandaria Bodi Maternity Wing Mabati Medical Centre at Mariakani. He also helped set up Mabati Technical Institute at Mariakani, a dozen Chandaria Clinics in rural areas, Chandaria Cancer and Chronic Diseases Centre at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Chandaria Secondary School Scholarship for 130 students every year for the last 35 years, Chandaria University Scholarships for 30 students every year, Chandaria Bravery Awards to Police Force, Chandaria Workshop at Langata Women’s Prison, Chandaria Incubation and Business Centre at the Kenya Methodist University, and Chandaria Jain Social Group Theatre for 800 people. In 2022, he received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in recognition of his service to humanity.

-ENDS-

Media Contacts:
Director, Strategic Marketing & Communication
Irene Onacha
Email: ionacha@usiu.ac.ke
Tel: +254 730 116 562

Listen to the congratulatory messages shared by some of the university leaders here:

December 11, 2020 – Nairobi, Kenya – The United States International University-Africa launched the Online Master of Business Administration (MBA), making it the first Online MBA in Kenya and the region accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The program targets learners who prefer to learn at the convenience of their homes and offices regardless of where they are in the world and begins in January 2021.

Speaking during the launch, Dr. Nancy Onyango, the Director, Office of Internal Audit and Inspection, International Monetary Fund lauded USIU-Africa for achieving this great milestone and championing online teaching and learning.

“Many economic sectors have embraced digitization in the era of COVID-19 but the education sector, particularly Higher Education has been slow to embrace technology and this has a prolonged effect on both students and institutions of higher learning. This could be attributed to the fact that most institutions are still heavily reliant on face-to-face instruction and have limited budget allocations to support Information Technology infrastructure,” she said.

“IT budget allocation in learning institutions is between 2-5 percent of the entire university budget and therefore the education sector can be described as the least digitized and most people-centric sectors in the economic globally,” she added.

Nevertheless, even before the pandemic, the education sector was facing stiff competition from Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and this was because the courses are flexible, and convenient for both employees and employers. “The increased uptake of online courses will only increase post-pandemic and most learning institutions are restructuring their course offerings to include online degree courses,” she noted.

Mr. Paul Kasimu, FIHRM, Chief Human Resources Officer at Safaricom PLC reiterated her words highlighting that the fourth industrial revolution has accelerated during the pandemic and it is challenging organizations to think critically about how they invest in talent development in order to be ‘future-ready’ for the next global disruption.

He further noted that organization are experiencing unprecedented changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and most people are open to enrolling for online courses to enhance their skills or acquire a new one.

“47 percent of people who study online do so due to existing limitations such as work and life commitments; 21 percent enroll for online studies because their employers encourage them to do so because it is efficient and effective for both parties,” he pointed out.

In March 2020, USIU-Africa implemented the business continuity plan fully that saw it move to online teaching and learning owing to the robust IT infrastructure that it has put in place to ensure that students continue learning remotely. The university invests Kshs. 63, 524, 571 annually to maintain and expand the e-learning infrastructure and an additional Kshs. 30, 000, 000 to boost e-resources at the library.

The program delivery will be purely online, using the Learning Management System, Blackboard Learn, as the default platform for asynchronous teaching and learning, Zoom as the video conferencing tool for synchronous teaching and learning and e-books, e-journals and other e-resources from the library. To ensure that the program is credible, exam protocols are in place to accommodate the changed mode of learning through a combination of two solutions on Blackboard: Respondus Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor. Respondus Lockdown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment and is ideal for assessments delivered in classrooms or proctored settings and Respondus Monitor adds webcam and video technology to LockDown Browser to prevent cheating during non-proctored exams – such as those taken remotely.

#ENDS#

Notes for editors

1. Interviews

To arrange, please contact:

Prof. Paul Zeleza

Vice Chancellor, USIU-Africa

Email: vc@usiu.ac.ke

Tel: +254 730 116 412

2. About USIU-Africa

USIU–Africa is one of the leading private Universities in Kenya representing over 70 nationalities undertaking 30 Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral programs and it is the only university in the region with dual accreditation in Kenya by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

For Immediate Release

USIU-Africa outlines growth plans as five year Strategic Plan is launched
Wednesday, May 18, 2022, Nairobi, Kenya - The United States International University-Africa has outlined plans to strengthen its enrollment rates by more than 32% while diversifying the range of market-driven courses delivered as part of its institutional growth plans.

The local premier higher education institution has outlined the plans in its 2021-2026 Strategic Plan which also highlights a blueprint to secure and intensify its revenue mobilization efforts to finance its academic delivery programs while leveraging on its robust Information Technology Systems.

The execution of the Strategic Plan she disclosed will be funded at an estimated cost of Kshs 8 billion to be raised through operating revenue streams, grants and related revenue raising initiatives.

The University also aims to transition 85% of its students into the labor market through market-driven programs that meet the 21st-century industry needs. As part of its strategic plan, the institution will also triple external research funding and research productivity by 2026.

Speaking at a media engagement event, USIU-Africa Interim Vice Chancellor Prof Freida Brown confirmed that the new strategic plan had been formulated to mitigate operating risks and challenges facing higher education institutions.

“The plan seeks to address these challenges and seize the opportunities as they affect the University. It builds on the considerable successes of the previous 2015-2020 Strategic Plan and USIU-Africa’s long history of innovative and strategic investments and initiatives. The development and growth you see today is as a result of previous strategic plans that have guided us through challenging times and we have no doubt that the next strategic period will be an opportunity for growth,” she said.

The University’s strategic plan has five goals: Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Distinction in Research and Scholarship, Competitiveness in creative works, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Excellence in Service and Community Engagement and Organizational Excellence.

USIU-Africa will diversify source markets for student recruitment and increase non-KCSE enrolment to 50% by 2026 to increase student numbers. The number of international students will be maintained at 17%, while global faculty flow will increase. The University will seek to utilize world-class technologies, develop innovative practices in delivery of quality, efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity through face-to-face, online, and blended learning and recruit highly qualified staff to equip students with diverse learning needs.

By 2026, USIU-Africa will aim to incubate 60 start-ups, accelerate 50 firms and generate innovations that generate 5% of the university’s revenue. This will be achieved through collaborations with Government, Civil Society and the Private Sector to co-create and commercialize innovations. The University will increase its public-private partnership initiatives by 10% annually and deliver quality service to internal stakeholders to achieve 80% satisfaction according to the plan. The University will mentor students for leadership and community engagement while enhancing its Corporate Social Responsibility with the industry and society.

Prof Brown added, “We want to increase the income to cost ratio from core functions by 5% in 2026 by strengthening our organizational governance, decision-making and culture, which will enable us to develop policies which will guide the sustainable use of resources.”

In research, USIU-Africa aims to exceed 160 high impact publications annually by developing strategic partnerships for multi-disciplinary and trans-country research, translate research findings into policies and practice and undertake research that resonates with local, regional and global priorities.

#ENDS#

About USIU-Africa
USIU–Africa is one of the leading private Universities in Kenya, representing over 70 nationalities undertaking 35 Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral programs. It is the only University in the region with dual accreditation in Kenya by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). For more, visit www.usiu.ac.ke

Media contacts
Professor Freida Brown
Interim Vice Chancellor
Email: vc@usiu.ac.ke
Telephone: +254 730 116 411

L-R: Joseph Okello, Chair and Co-Founder, Association for Family-Owned Enterprise, Antoinette Wa-Tindi, Co-Founder, Association for Family-Owned Enterprise, Prof. Margee Ensign, VC, USIU-Africa, Dr. Kevit Desai, Chair, Board of Trustees, USIU-Africa (standing), and Ms. Helen Ambasa, Director, Legal Services, USIU-Africa during the launch of the Centre for Executive Education. Photo: Jemima Oloo

May 3, 2023, NAIROBI, KENYA - USIU-Africa has today launched the Center for Executive Education, designed to provide an immersive and multidisciplinary learning experience in partnership with the Association for Family Business Enterprise (AFBE), the Institute of Directors (IOD) and the Doctoral Association of Eastern Africa (DAEA) in order to improve research that link academia and industry. As part of USIU-Africa’s commitment to empowering society’s leaders in the region and continent, USIU-Africa has developed a comprehensive strategy that positions it as the transformative leader in executive education.

USIU-Africa recognizes the growing demand for professional development, expertise, and resources to support the EAC's rapidly evolving business, government, and non-profit landscape. By offering an extensive range of programs and resources, USIU-Africa aims to become the ultimate destination for individuals and organizations seeking to develop their leadership skills and enhance their business acumen.
Speaking during the launch, Professor Margee Ensign, Vice-Chancellor of USIU-Africa emphasized the importance of properly preparing family businesses in order for them to remain competitive in an ever-changing business environment.

“We recognize that executives and professionals must have access to the latest knowledge and resources to drive economic growth, sustainability, poverty reduction and job creation in the region, and we are excited to equip them with the tools and expertise they need to succeed,” she asserted.

USIU-Africa’s initial focus is on family-owned businesses, which comprise a staggering 76% of all companies in the EAC and employ over 78% of the workforce. Unfortunately, less than 16% of these businesses have a solid succession plan or strong family and business governance, which is why our commitment to their success is unwavering. USIU-Africa’s executive education programs will equip these family businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in today's global marketplace. Additional programs will focus on IT, especially data analytics, Artificial Intelligence, development and global monetary policy, and healthcare delivery.

While delivering her keynote address, Dr. Jean Meeks-Koch, CEO, Positively People, and the Interim Executive Director of the Center noted that sustaining family-owned businesses in East Africa must be prioritized.

“USIU-Africa's Center launch and strategic focus meet critical regional needs. The socio-economic landscape thrives when family-owned businesses are equipped with robust governance and continuity plans. These businesses are the foundation of a strong economic fabric, weaving together the threads of prosperity and growth for communities and the region,” she said.

The inaugural program will focus on family business owners and their families and will also quickly launch other programs that cater to executives and professionals, such as governance, leading digital transformation, and global leadership change transformation.

-ENDS-

Media Contact:
Uvyu Mbole, PhD
Executive Manager, Center for Executive Education
Tel: +254 730 116 113
Email: umbole@usiu.ac.ke

USIU- Africa’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Tiyambe (Left) and Cyber Security Institute’s CEO, Dr. Mark Matunga during an MOU signing ceremony held at the University. The partnership will see both institutions leverage on existing infrastructure to grow the country’s expertise on cyber security as Kenya increasingly strengthens its capacity to respond to technology and data security issues.

July 31, 2019-Nairobi- Kenya- USIU-Africa and the Cyber Security Institute (CSI) have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see both institutions offer research and innovation, training and capacity building programs in cyber security. In partnership both institutions will leverage on the existing infrastructure to grow the region’s expertise in cyber security.

USIU-Africa Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Zeleza said the partnership will see both USIU-Africa and Cyber Security Institute leverage each other’s resources, knowledge base and unique perspectives to innovatively solve cyber security challenges in the country as Kenya increasingly strengthens its capacity to respond to technology and data security issues.

“The recent launch of Kenya’s Huduma number and the reported opportunities and challenges bring to the fore need for concerted efforts in providing safe use of technology in driving national development. We believe this cooperation will see us advance cybersecurity education programmes and research to enable us contribute to the technological growth in the region”, Prof Zeleza added.

“We cannot take lightly the fact that we live in an age fraught with digital and cyber risks. It is for this reason that we were keen to partner with USIU-Africa. Through the partnership, we look forward to working with USIU-Africa and its other partners in tackling the various cybersecurity issues facing our nation, “said Dr. Mark Matunga, Cyber Security Institute’s CEO.

Speaking at the launch, Continuity East Africa’s Country Managing Director, Mr. Eric Kariuki noted that cybersecurity had a close link with Business Continuity, noting that it was important for businesses to find a way to mitigate risks in the event of business disruptions.

Through the partnership, both USIU-Africa and CSI will establish a Centre of Excellence focused on Cyber Security services in training and capacity building for education. CSI will support USIU-Africa by bringing in industry expertise to develop a dynamic curriculum both as a concentration and as a certification course based on reputable IT industry standards and known best practices. In conjunction with the University, the Institute will identify potential areas of research in Cyber Security best practices and provide practical solutions in tackling the biggest challenge in use of technology.

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About USIU-Africa

The mission of United States International University – Africa, is to promote the discovery and application of knowledge, the acquisition of skills, and the development of intellect and character in a manner that prepares students to contribute effectively in an increasingly technological world. The institutions vision is to be a premier institution of academic excellence with a global perspective.

USIU-Africa’s 27 programs at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels, are accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (USA) and by the Commission for University Education (Kenya). This dual accreditation guarantees quality global education and transferability of credits from USIU-Africa to any university in Kenya, the United States and the rest of the world.

For further information, please contact Taigu Muchiri on tmuchiri@usiu.ac.ke or 0721673292

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 8, 2022, Nairobi, Kenya – The United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) in partnership with German Cooperation through its implementation organization PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) as well as AHK Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa have introduced a training program aimed at enhancing pharmaceutical manufacturing in Kenya.

The objective of this educational program is to train Pharma operators by combining technical skills with theoretical knowledge about materials, processes, machine technology and other Pharmaceutical insights. While this concept has been introduced in other industries in Kenya, it is the first of its kind in the Pharmaceutical industry.

The trainees will learn the theory and the practice of manufacturing medicines like granules, syrups, creams, ointments, tablets, and capsules. The program will be implemented through the Centre of Excellence in Pharmaceutical Innovations & Analysis (CEPIA) in the School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences at USIU-Africa where trainees have an opportunity to train and hone their skills in well-equipped laboratory facilities.

Speaking at a function presided over by Ministry of Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Rashid Aman and German Deputy Ambassador to Kenya Mr. Thomas Wimmer, USIU-Africa Interim Vice Chancellor Prof. Freida Brown said the launch of the program provides a platform for training, Research and Development for the local pharmaceutical industry.

“At USIU-Africa, we strive to introduce market-driven solutions and collaborative learning opportunities in contemporary science, technology and management sciences to meet growing local and international market needs. The launch of this program is yet another proof point of our commitment to partner with industry players such as Dawa Life Sciences, Biodeal Laboratories Ltd., Elys Chemical Industries Ltd. and Regal Pharmaceuticals Ltd. to promote industry needs by enhancing quality in local clinical medicines development from research and development to manufacturing and commercialization,” Prof. Brown said.

The Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Rashid Aman lauded this one of a kind collaboration between industry and academia which is part of an elaborate strategy to contribute to the delivery of equitable, affordable and quality healthcare services to meet national goals and to address the current challenges facing the industry.
“According to the Kenya Pharmaceutical Industry 2020 Diagnostic Report, Kenya’s pharmaceutical industry is the largest in the Common Market for the Eastern and Southern Africa region. However, insufficient drugs are manufactured in Kenya to meet domestic needs and as a result, approximately 70 percent of locally used drugs are imported. In light of this, there is a need to boost local pharmaceutical production, enhance capacity building and in turn improve public health outcomes,” he said.
Deputy German Ambassador Thomas Wimmer, stated: "We are excited to collaborate with USIU-Africa in establishing CEPIA and officially kick-off the Dual Vocational Training of Pharmaceutical Production Specialists. This program fits perfectly in our wider development cooperation portfolio with Kenya, the East African Region and the African Union. This Centre will provide many opportunities for training and developing capacity in pharmaceutical innovations in collaboration with German partners.”

While appreciating the involvement of all partners especially the German Corporation, Pharmaceutical Industries, and individual faculty specifically Dr. Lincoln Munyendo, Director CEPIA, the Dean, Prof. Francis Ndemo, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences said: “the idea is to enable the healthcare industry to further raise its quality standards, and to enhance patient care through improved production and drug development.”

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About USIU-Africa
USIU–Africa is one of the leading private Universities in Kenya, representing over 70 nationalities undertaking 35 Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral programs. It is the only University in the region with dual accreditation in Kenya by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Media Contacts
Dr. Lincoln Munyendo,
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutics,
Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, USIU-Africa
Email: cepia.sphs@usiu.ac.ke or lmunyendo@usiu.ac.ke
Tel: +254 730 116 810 /820