While relaunching the review of the Strathmore University Mid-term Strategy in November last year, the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Odhiambo, reiterated the University’s commitment to engaging its staff, students, alumni, and stakeholders through a clarion call to  play their part in being agents of change in society.  On Friday 23^rd April, 2021, while hosting members of the University in positions of management to the annual Vice Chancellor’s Conference, Prof. Odhiambo echoed similar sentiments through an impassioned keynote address.

Strathmore’s Future

Themed “The Strathmore We Want: Looking Forward,” this year’s conference which was held virtually, sought to remove all barriers and to invite each and every person in the Strathmore family to contribute collectively to the Strathmore Future through sharing of ideas.

Speaking at the conference, Prof. Odhiambo reminded us all that it is our collective responsibility to think and re-imagine what Strathmore should be. He went on to laud the synergy and collegiality in the University community towards upholding our motto Ut Omnes Unum Sint, saying, “The University is where it is today because we have all given our best and invested our energies to ensure the institution remains afloat despite the adverse effects brought on by COVID-19 pandemic.”

Entrepreneurial spirit

The University is continuously working towards being an entrepreneurial University – a particularly emphasised principle by the Vice Chancellor, with the aim of contributing to the socio-economic advancement of not only the country, but also the region and globe at large. “This being our collective desire,” said Prof. Odhiambo, “we must all bring value to the table in our work! As we carry out our research, I call you all to understand that our research must be grounded on societal transformation. The research we churn out must be able to provide worthwhile solutions to the many challenges the society is grappling with.”

The Vice Chancellor restated that through embracing technology, Strathmore University is well poised in the 4^th Industrial Revolution, being a modern entrepreneurial university and global leader that is improving its performance to serving society through courses of the future such as the recently launched Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics.

In a special way, Mr. Ian Wairua, one of the moderators at this one-of-a kind conference, invited attendees to gather at a virtual fireside chat, a sort of Strathmore family get-together, for a wisdom-filled down memory lane with key personalities: Prof. David Sperling, Prof. John Odhiambo, and Dr. Olga Marlin.

Proceeding on sabbatical

The 2021 Vice Chancellor’s Conference culminated in a nostalgic mood owing to the fact that Prof. John Odhiambo announced that he would be going on a sabbatical leave effective 1^st May, 2021. In an emotional display of gratitude, Dr. Vincent Ogutu, the Vice Chancellor Designate, presented him with a portrait gift on behalf of the University for the many years of his selfless service. In his partying short, Prof. Odhiambo urged the Strathmore family to strongly ride on the University’s value of collegiality.

“As I take my sabbatical, my challenge to you all is to support the Management Board to carry on with the agenda of developing an entrepreneurial university with agility and openness. Our key concern should also be to ensure that our graduates are highly employable. It is always attractive to be involved in an agenda that is bigger than oneself. Remember at Strathmore, ours is an apostolic mission to help human beings achieve their highest purpose. This is why we not only aim to nurture highly intellectual individuals/leaders, but our focus is also on the human person and grooming virtuous leaders for the society. Only in this way will Strathmore be a 4^th Generation University!”

The Strathmore family wishes Prof. John Odhiambo the very best as he launches into the next phase of his life.

 

This article was written by Francis Kabutu and Wambui Gachari.

 

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