speech by mr. joseph b. wanjui, chancellor of the university of ...

SPEECHBYMR. JOSEPH B. WANJUI, CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITYOF NAIROBION THE OCCASION OFTHE INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF THE CHANCELLORAND31 ST CONGREGATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBION 7 TH MAY, 2004Your Excellency,

2The President and Commander-in-Chief of theArmed Forces of the Republic of Kenya,Her Excellency, the First LadyHonourable Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament,Chancellors,Chairman and Members of Councils, and Vice-Chancellors of Public and other Universities,Your Excellencies, the Ambassadors and HighCommissioners,University Staff and Students,Graduands and Parents, Relatives and Friends,Distinguished Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen.

3I am greatly honoured to stand before you today as thenew Chancellor of the nation’s finest University. It isimpossible to thank adequately all those who have helpedme along the path that has led me here, many of whom arehere today.I wish to especially thank His Excellency the Presidentfor appointing me Chancellor. As mentioned by the Vice-Chancellor during his speech, I am fully cognizant of the factthat I am joining the rather daunting line of President-Chancellors of this University, from Hon. Mzee Jomo

4Kenyatta, Hon. Daniel T. arap Moi and Hon. Mwai Kibaki.Standing on the foundation that these great Kenyans havelaid, it is a great priviledge to be able to make mycontribution to the greater good of the University of Nairobi,and, in turn, our great nation and human-kind at large. I alsowish to thank members of the University Council, the Senateand the entire staff and students of the University of Nairobifor making me feel warmly welcome both as their Chancellorand as an individual.

5I wish to take this opportunity and warmly congratulateHis Excellency the President for the conferment of theDegree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) of the Universityof Nairobi, and comment the University for finding such aworthy graduand, who, as cited by the Vice-Chancellor, hasdedicated his entire life to social, political and economicemancipation of the people of our country. Your Excellency,we feel greatly priviledged that you were able to be with ustoday and are deeply grateful to your Government for thesupport it has continued giving to not only this Universitybut also all public universities in our country. We wish you

6good health and every best as you continue steering ourcountry to greater heights of progress.Ladies and Gentlemen, I am also deeply grateful to allthose participating in today’s Ceremony, especially theGraduating Class of 2003 and all our guests, for making thisfunction such a colourful occasion.I am humbled, by both the installation and the citationand kind words said about me earlier, during the confermentof the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) of the

7University of Nairobi. I thank the University for bestowingme with such an honour. I am obviously challenged by asense of obligation and the enormity of my responsibility tonot only maintain but also participate in the improvement ofthe tradition of academic excellence in learning, in thesearch of knowledge and in the service to our community ofthis great University.This is a day of great personal significance to thegraduating class, its families, relatives and friends. It is aday of celebration of our students and their

8accomplishments and it provides an opportunity toacknowledge all those who have made a difference in theirlives. It also provides a time to reflect on the people whohave made such extraordinary contributions to thedevelopment of our University.As I have quickly found out, and as summarized by boththe Chairman of the Council and the Vice-Chancellor duringtheir speeches, this is a great University, with a still greaterpotential. It is great because of its people – the students,with their brains, energy and insights; the faculty, renowned

9for their excellence and innovation in teaching, research andservice; the managers, who have made major strides evenduring difficult times; the alumni, who serve literally in everysector of our economy; the Government, which hasunfailingly provided the major supported to the University;and development partners and all those friends, who havefaithfully seen the University through its most difficultmoments. I feel proud to join such a devoted team that hasmade the University what it is to day, and a team thatcontinue working together to push the University to evengreater heights.

10It is indeed a great challenge for me, as I take up myposition of Chancellor and titular leadership of thisUniversity. As outlined in the University of Nairobi Act, myrole is to: -(a)Be the head of the University and, in the name ofthe University, confer degrees and grant diplomas,certificates and other awards of the University, asI have done today.

11(b)From time to time, direct an inspection of theuniversity or an inquiry into the teaching, researchor any other work of the University;(c) Arrange for visitation into the generaladministration and organization of the University insuch manner as may be provided in the statutes;(d)From time to time give advice to the Council whichI may consider necessary for the betterment of theUniversity;

12(e)Enjoy such powers and privileges and perform suchother functions as may be provided in the statutesof the University.I want to share my belief that, together we will work tomake this University achieve its stated vision and mission ofplaying a leadership role in higher education in Africa.Indeed I believe that we have the capacity and theresources required. If we pull together and in the samedirection, and accept the need for change that will enable usto grasp the enormous opportunities before us, we shall

13make it. The problems and obstacles, of course, must not beunder-stated, and solving them cannot be an easy task. Theonus, however, lies with each and every member of thisUniversity to play his or her role properly. We must worktogether to find amicable solutions to our problems. I wantto give you my pledge that I will do the best that I can tohelp build on the foundation and strengths of our past, into aformidable future.Once again I wish to congratulate the graduands andwish them the very best in their future endeavours. Please

14remember that the rights and priviledges of education bringa responsibility to make good use of your knowledge, tochange the world for the better and to help ensure thatsucceeding generations have the same opportunities youhave had here at the University of Nairobi. Education is agift that one generation gives to the next.Thank you.