Today marked the third graduation of the Strathmore Institute of Management and Technology (SI) for the professional and diploma courses. Strathmore Institute, the professional training arm of Strathmore University and an accredited institution under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), was registered by TVETA in February 2017.

The graduation ceremony was attended by 14 Ambassadors representing: Angola, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Uganda, Tanzania, Eritrea, Egypt, Mozambique, Portugal, Algeria, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe. The ambassadors were present to celebrate their colleague, Angolan Ambassador to Kenya, His Excellency, Amb. Sianga Abilio, who graduated with a Diploma in International Relations.

His Excellency, Amb. Sianga Abilio, ecstatic with his achievement, said, “The reason for my joy this morning is because I am increasingly convinced that learning has no limit and that it is a lifelong process. There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass the examination and think that education is now a done deal. No! On the contrary, learning is a part of our day-to-day life.”

The traditional ceremony includes the wearing of gowns, the awarding of honours and the celebration of each student’s accomplishments through the presentation of certificates and awarding of diplomas. 444 Diplomas and 87 Professional Certificates were awarded at the ceremony, with the 513 graduates representing 16 nationalities worldwide.

The Class of 2021 lays the last stone after weathering circumstances that have been tough, unprecedented and sometimes unpredictable. Yet, in spite of it all, as the Vice Chancellor Designate, Dr. Vincent Ogutu noted, they excelled. “Your achievements are remarkable. It’s not been an easy year. It’s not been a typical year. I encourage you to keep learning. There are so many exciting things to learn. Be just like a kid who wants to know everything. Never lose that curiosity.”

The chief guest, Stella Njunge, Managing Director, AIG Insurance Kenya and an alumna of Strathmore University, used her speech to prepare the graduates for the outside world. In one of her nuggets of wisdom she said, “When I was your age, I wasn’t aware of how hard it sometimes takes to succeed. Now I know that failure is good because it teaches us to be better.”

On this day, the graduates joined hundreds of illustrious men and women who form part of the Strathmore Alumni. The Principal of the Institute, Angelica Kiboro, exhorted them to be good ambassadors of Strathmore Institute and the entire Strathmore community, “Like those who came before you, we expect you to always strive to serve our nation with distinction, with professional competence, integrity, honesty and accountability.”

The best of 2021

The Academic Excellence awards were given to the best overall students in each course: Diploma in Business Information Technology (DBIT), Nurani Khulud Mahmod; Diploma in Business Management (DBM, Kuboka Elvis Richard; Diploma in International Relations (DIR), Zimunya Rukudzo Jubilee; Diploma in Entrepreneurship (DE), Wacha Michael Eluk; Diploma in Journalism and New Media (DJNM), Gachohi Martin Mathaga and Diploma in Procurement (DP), Achieng Furaha Osodo. The top achievers in the various ACCA and CPA papers were also feted.

Top ACCA and CPA achievers in various papers in Kenya and worldwide among the affiliates and continuing students were feted. Among the top students who received awards were:

• Evelyn W Machohi: ACCA Affiliate, Position 2 Kenya, 74 Worldwide, (December 2019 Exams).

• Jandu Jagmeet Singh: ACCA Affiliate, Position 2 Kenya, 63 Worldwide (March 2020 Exams)

• Serge Musingilwa: ACCA Affiliate, Position 2 Kenya, 75 Worldwide (December 2020 Exams)

• Keval Bid: ACCA Advanced Performance Management, Position 1 Kenya, 25 Worldwide (September 2020 Exams)

• Kukubo M Bruce: CPA MIS paper, Position 1 Kenya (November 2019 Exams)

 

Don Kamoya, the outgoing Student Council President, reminded the graduates that success comes from doing what is uncomfortable. “I’ve personally had to push myself to do what is uncomfortable numerous times and that extra effort, that extra mile makes a difference, perhaps not at that moment but in the future. You will appreciate the extra effort and creativity you put in,” he said.

So to the graduating class, do all the ambitious things – know yourself, travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, fall in love, and create fortunes. #BeMore, #GoConquer and make the world better!

 

This article was written by Catherine Buretti and Wambui Gachari.   

 

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