Employment rate for SU graduates is getting even better

BBIT Graduants 2007

The rate at which Strathmore University graduates get jobs after completing their studies has continued to improve, says Vice Chancellor, Prof John Odhiambo. Statistics show that 76% of Bachelor of Information Technology (BBIT) graduates, for example, get jobs six months after completing their course and all graduates are placed two years after completing their studies. See: ICT Graduates and their Placement: Case of Strathmore University.

The Vice Chancellor was speaking at the University's third graduation ceremony since it became a university on Friday, 14th September 2007.

The University's Pro-Chancellor; Monsignor Albert Pampillon who is also the Regional Vicar (head) of the Prelature of Opus Dei in East Africa presided over the ceremony.

The VC added the University's target is that all its graduates should be meaningfully engaged within six months after completing their course of study. "But the university does not pay attention to academic attainment only. It also places great emphasis on sports and club activities.

"I find it difficult to subdue my pride in telling you that our sports teams have a habit of winning every tournament they enter. Our Hockey team are the reigning East African Club Champions; our rugby team are the reigning Eric Shirley Cup and Mwamba Cup champions, which in fact is a historic feat!," he told the congregation.

"What more can we ask for? But the university is asking for more because we have confidence in the ability and commitment of these exemplary young women and men," he added.

Reiterating the opening remarks of the University Council Chairman Prof Terry Ryan that the graduates and everybody else for that matter should mind the common good and have a commitment to social responsibility, the VC urged the graduates to make their work an effective service to others.

He said the University is in the process of creating the Strathmore Enterprise Development Centre – a centre of excellence in entrepreneurship – whose core function will be to support of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through education, training and research.

He also revealed the University has established the Strathmore Governance Centre, to be a centre of excellence for research and education in governance. "The centre will be officially launched on 24th October. A one-day workshop on 'Governance in the Health Sector' is being organized to coincide with the launching of the centre," he added.

The Vice Chancellor said the university is witnessing substantial growth in research activity among its staff. "To propel this trend further, the University has allocated 4% of its tuition fees income towards research development this academic year.
188 graduates were conferred degrees in Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and Bachelor of Business Information Technology (BBIT). It was the first time part-time degree students were graduating from the university.

Another 201 were awarded diplomas and 247 were awarded certificates for successfully completing their Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Certified Public Secretary (CPS) courses.
Reading excerpts of a letter written by the Chancellor of the University, Bishop Javier Echevarria who is also the prelate (head) of Opus Dei, Msgr Pampillon said we need to be convinced that only through the temperate use of material goods can we really love the world.

Guests in attendance included the Chancellor of University of Nairobi, Dr Joe Wanjui; the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, His Excellency Archbishop Alain Paul Lebeaupin; and the Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi, Most Rev. Raphael Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki, and University Council members.

Speeches read at the ceremony: