March 13, 2020

·      Chancellor, University of Nairobi - Dr. (Mrs.) Vijoo Rattansi

·      Chairman, UON Alumni Association – Mr. Isaac Awuondo

·      Members of University of Nairobi Management Present

·      Members of UONAA Executive Committee Present

·      Our Partners & Alumni

·      Awardees,

·      Ladies and Gentlemen

 

Good morning,

 

Let me first take this opportunity to welcome you all for this important breakfast meeting.

As the 8th Vice-Chancellor of this World Class University, l have noted with a lot of satisfaction the strides made by UONAA in realization of its core mandate of supporting its alma mater.

The University recognizes with much appreciation UONAA’s support to the University in a number of areas, including: the Bursary Fund, Nairobi Innovation Week, University Prizes, Open Days and Graduation Ceremonies, just to mention but a few.

Remarkably, over the years since UONAA’s establishment, UONAA has stood-out in supporting the University Bursary Fund with substantive donations, culminating to graduation of a large numbers of bright and needy students.  Further, the Association has continued to open up opportunities through work-study, internship; and mentorship and coaching program for students to link-up with the Industry to gain the requisite practical exposure, in readiness for the job market.

As a registered Life member of UONAA, It gives me great joy that the Association has put mechanisms in place to establish its own Scholarship Fund, initially targeting 1,000 University students from disadvantaged backgrounds over the next 5 years.  As you grow the Fund, l encourage the Association to actively rally its alumni in fundraising activities to support its projects, more so this Scholarship Fund.  This is in line with the camaraderie spirit of any University that aspires for scholarly excellence. 

As your Vice Chancellor, I commit to continue engaging UONAA in ensuring that Alumni play their rightful role in the growth and prosperity of this great University.  I wish to encourage UONAA and all other partners to support this noble venture in whatever way possible in order for us to see through that no student of our University drops off due to lack of financing for their education.

As I conclude, let me share with you this quote from one of our African Hero the late Nelson Mandela;

“Education is the great engine of personal development.  It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”

May the Almighty God bless our University. 

Thank You.

PROF. S.G. KIAMA, PhD

VICE-CHANCELLOR