East Africa Graduation Ceremonies

The AKU East Africa graduation ceremonies, held in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya in the third week of December 2005, will be remembered not only for the 172 graduates who received degrees and diplomas, but also in view of the unique historic nature of the ceremonies.  Although previously held in Uganda and Kenya, this was the first time that an AKU graduation ceremony was held in all three of the East African countries where the University has a presence.

In Uganda, 23 graduates received their degrees for the Diploma in General Nursing, and 13 for BSc in Nursing.  In Tanzania, there were 48 and 18 graduates respectively, whilst in Kenya, 42 and 20 respectively.

It is particularly rewarding to note that in each of the countries, the number of BScN recipients made a significant contribution to the total number of nurses who received their bachelor’s degrees in the respective countries during 2005.  In Uganda and Tanzania, the recent graduations will double the number of graduate nurses in each country.

 

(L to R) - Dr Anneke, Acting Principal, AKU Uganda; Mr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, President, AKU; Hon. Simon Mayende, Minister of State of Higher Education, Uganda; Dr Yasmin Amarsi, Dean, AKU School of Nursing; and Dr Laetitia King, Chief Academic Officer and Associate Dean Nursing, East Africa, are seen standing for the national anthem during the third graduation ceremony of AKU in Uganda.

In addition to nursing graduates, the University also took the opportunity at each of the ceremonies to recognise eight graduates (two Kenyans, two Tanzanians and four graduates from Uganda) who completed their Master of Education degree at AKU’s Institute for Educational Development in Karachi, but who were unable to attend the ceremony in Pakistan.

At each of the graduation ceremonies, AKU was indeed privileged to have a Chief Guest of particular note. Their presence and inspirational addresses reinforced the highest possible acclaim received by the ceremonies within the academic community of East Africa. 

All Chief Guests made a special effort to emphasise the high regard in which AKU is held by respective Ministries and Departments in the three East African countries.  In Dar es Salaam, Ms Ruth Morrel, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science, offered the support of the Government of Tanzania, through her Ministry to AKU and its development of new programmes specifically relevant to the needs of the country.  In Kampala, the Honourable Simon Mayende, Minister of State for Higher Education in Uganda, stated that he would personally assure that required support is extended to AKU in future as the University continues to develop programmes purposely significant to the development of the nursing and midwifery profession in Uganda. The Minister added that he had very deep appreciation for the noble profession of nursing and midwifery, and that he was looking forward to exploring possible ways of strengthening the relationship between his department and AKU in the future. Professor Crispus Kiamba, Commission Secretary, Commission for Higher Education, Kenya assured AKU that his commission is looking forward to continuing the healthy relationship that has developed between the Commission and AKU, and that he would personally be willing to support the University as and when required in regard to the development of programmes relevant to the growth and well-being of the country.

Any account of the graduation ceremonies could not be complete without the mention of the valedictory speeches. In Uganda, the valedictory speech was delivered by Ms Sekyondwa Margaret Sekatawa, BscN graduant 2005. Ms Azmina Feroz Shivji, BScN 2002 intake graduate (Graduant Post Registered BSc Nursing Programme) delivered the speech in Tanzania while the valedictorian for the Kenyan ceremony was Ms Jane Njambi Munyua – Graduant Post Registered BSc Nursing Programme.

All three ceremonies were attended by dignitaries, prominent citizens, media and well wishers. However, the proudest guests in each location were the beaming parents who were there to see their beloved daughters and sons receive their hard earned prestigious degrees.