The University of Nairobi hosted its 2nd Prize presentation ceremony on Friday May 7, 2021. In the ceremony, the university celebrated and recognized students with outstanding performance in their academic and extra-curricular activities from 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 academic years.
With the support of 104 donors, the University awarded 448 alumni; in the blended event that was held at Taifa Hall, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama noted that the Prize presentation is an important tradition of this University to encourage the development of great aspirations in our students. We use the prizes to inspire effort by our continuing students. We also offer the awards to appreciate achievement at the end of a rigorous academic programme.
“The good news is that our graduates are well-skilled to tap into the boundless opportunities offered by today’s globalized world as they also navigate the complexities.
We hold today’s University of Nairobi Prize Presentation Ceremony with great pride because the achievements of our students are central to our academic mission. The Prize Presentation signifies our commitment to the people reforms!” exclaimed Prof. Kiama.
The VC emphasized, 'We will continue to:Identify and celebrate talents and achievements of our staff and students, promote research and commercialize our intangible assets, Ensure that the University attracts, recruits, supports and retains outstanding staff and students,Provide a diverse, inclusive, fair and open work environment where our people give their best to their work and feel valued,Give our collaborators and partners, like our prize donors, the opportunity to fulfill their aspirations by supporting an impactful academic institution.'
While delivering his opening remarks, the Deputy Vice chancellor, Academic Affairs Prof. Julius Ogeng’o emphasized on the importance of this event to the university, ‘prize giving is consistent with the philosophy of UoN and our Reform Agenda 2020 in regard to people, in this case the students.’
Speaking on behalf of Donors, a representative from Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Fund, Hirji Shah spoke saying, ‘We are here to acknowledge and award excellent academic performance to our students. The prize winners are a true representation of everything that we stand for. These hardworking young Kenyans are a credit to the University. It is through them we get to see the achievement and dedication of the staff of UoN.’
In his acceptance speech, Kiunga Kumary, the best overall student in the University in the 2018/2019 academic year expressed his gratitude to the University, to the donors, to his parents and his mentors. He noted that, ‘I must say the journey is tough and it continues to be. Remember nothing good comes easy, you must put in the time. From the early mornings to the late nights, pressure from deadlines, colliding with fellow students and lecturers, financial strains and the like; all these setbacks can make you easily disgruntled.
He urged the continuing students to persevere telling them, ‘In your journey find the strength to amplify that faint voice inside you that tells you, ‘you can do it! You keep going! You are created for greatness! Take that leap of faith everyday and aim to beat your own record.’
Kimeli Faith Jeruto (2017/2018) and Kumary Saitabau Kiunga (2018/2019) received a prize in the form of a gold medal as the best overall students in the University with the highest proficiency in both academic and extra-curricular activities from the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Trustee Fund
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