1,517 students on Monday graduated during USIU-Africa’s 43rd Commencement Ceremony, marking the first physical graduation held at the institution since Covid-19 pandemic started.

The graduands included 1,135 Undergraduate, 351 Master’s and 14 Doctoral students with the first cohorts from the Film Production and Directing and Marriage and Family Therapy programs also graduating.

In his remarks read on behalf of Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi said the event was a key milestone due to the fact that it was held during the ongoing pandemic.

“We are able to come together because various vaccine developers and regulatory experts have worked round the clock to ensure that we continue with our lives as they sacrifice to find a lasting solution to this pandemic. When the first COVID-19 case was reported here in Kenya, the Government took drastic containment measures in order to manage its spread,” Dr Mwangangi said.

“The education sector has adjusted its approach during these difficult times by providing solutions and designing protocols that have ensured that our children continue with their learning safely. I commend USIU-Africa for its foresight and investment in online learning infrastructure, which resulted in flexibility and instant continuity; an admirable achievement that other institutions should emulate for the future. The commitment and efforts that the university has put in place to implement phased re-opening demonstrates that the safety of its students, faculty and staff is a key priority,” she added.

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In her remarks, Interim Vice Chancellor, Prof Freida Brown said the university was persistently working to ensure that its students received a cutting-edge and international education.

“The higher education landscape is changing rapidly, and the University has remained adaptable, while remaining committed to its core mandate of academic teaching and learning to produce the next generation of leaders, and knowledge that will be impactful to society. Over the years, we have made several investments that have ensured that USIU-Africa has stayed ahead of the curve, including continued investment in our ICT infrastructure, which enabled us to make a seamless transition into remote learning, which has now transitioned into hybrid learning from the current Fall semester,” the CAS intimated.

Prof Brown further urged the students to abide by values they had learned while at USIU-Africa.

“Over its 52-year history, USIU-Africa has consistently aspired to be the best, and to give its students the best. As you graduate today, I urge you to similarly aspire for excellence not only through the pursuit of knowledge that will illuminate your future, but also by looking at your past and drawing lessons and inspiration from the challenges that you may have faced,” she added.

In the past year, USIU-Africa significantly improved its academic offering, including five new programs, namely: Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics, Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering, and a PhD. in Information Systems and Technology, Bachelor of Technology in Analytical Chemistry and Bachelor of Science in Applied Biochemistry.

The institution also obtained membership into Quality Matters (QM), an organization that helps academic institutions to deliver quality online learning and teaching through collaboration.

The Mastercard Foundation and Arizona State University also recently signed a deal with the university to enhance its e-learning capacity as well as 21 other international universities.

The initiative gives 11 African institutions, Earth University in Costa Rica and American University of Beirut priority to address areas of instructional design, teaching and development of content for online teaching and learning.