Vice Chancellor, Chancellor and Chair of council tour the photo exhibition
In a very colorful ceremony filled with pomp, the University of Nairobi celebrated its 50th year.
The University held a ceremony that showcased its milestones and progress through the last five decades.
The Ceremony was marked with robing of guests, an academic procession, a commemorative planting of a tree and Cake cutting. The guests were taken through a photo exhibition showcasing the University’s history.
The University begun as a Royal Technical College of East Africa in April 1954 and in 1960 became the Royal College of East Africa- a constituent College of the University of East Africa and affiliated to the University of London. On 1st July 1970, the University of East Africa was dissolved and the three East African countries set up their national universities. That event marked the birth of the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Since then the University has continued to grow. The University held its first graduation on 11th December 1970 at the great court where 494 graduands were conferred with degrees, 4 with PhD and 7 with Masters Degree. The ceremony was presided by our First Chancellor and First President of the Republic of Kenya, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
Dr. Frank Njenga, Chief Guest and a representative of the Alumni classes 1970-1980, gave an account of his days at the University. He said, “We had waiters, we were paid to come to school, we had boom- a boost from the government, we had luxury and we embraced education.” He also gave an account of the strikes that the University had at the time and their reasons.
The Chancellor, Dr. Vijoo Rattansi, congratulated UoN community, “You will all agree with me that half a century of distinguished service to the nation and our people is no mean feat! Allow me, from the onset, to congratulate the alumni, staff and students at the University of Nairobi on this exceptional achievement. Allow me to also share, with the university fraternity, the joys of reuniting with old friends and reminisces of the days gone by! It is indeed a great day to be alive!”
Dr. Rattansi also noted, “Inevitably, we have borne a home for many distinguished alumni both at home and abroad. This, I believe, is a remarkable achievement and one that we are all immensely proud of. I hope that we can keep and continue this invaluable legacy that every alumnus of this university is privileged to be conferred with.”
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor thanked those that served as Vice chancellors and Chancellors since the University began. As we mark the 50years, the convocation today stands at 240,000. Speaking to the Nation and the congregation gathered at great course, President Kenyatta was very conscious of the importance of the momentous occasion. He addressed several issues that continue to guide the trajectory of this University. Concerning the Government he said and I quote “ My Government and I wish to emphasize in this way, that here is an Institution of the highest importance, integrating into the life of our republic”
Honorable Ekwee Ethuro represented the alumni from 1980-1990, Commissioner Dr. Mercy Deche, 1990-2000, Doris Wangui Githua, 2000-2010, Qs.Mary Kivata, 2010-2020.
Dr. Njenga announced that their Class of Medicine 1970 will fully sponsor 5 needy medical students through their studies at UoN
Happy Birthday University of Nairobi!
- Log in to post comments
