NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 18 – Top media editors from Kenya and other prominent personalities were among more than 700 graduands celebrated at Aga Khan Universities worldwide on Saturday, marking a significant milestone for the private institution redefining academic excellence.
In Kenya, the colourful ceremony was graced by Her Highness Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Ezekiel Machogu.
Addressing the graduands, Princess Zahra Aga Khan encouraged them to pursue their future endeavours with courage and determination.
She emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities to serve their communities and contribute to a more pluralistic and peaceful world.
“I urge you to always strive with courage and determination. Grasp the opportunities available to serve in the community to contribute to a more pluralistic and peaceful world,” the Princess said, inspiring the graduands to make a positive impact in the society.
Princess Zahra highlighted the university’s mission to prepare graduates for diverse global opportunities, highlighting the significance of Aga Khan University in shaping future leaders.
The Nairobi campus saw 159 graduands receive degrees in various fields, including medicine, education and media-related studies.
Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Ezekiel Machogu commended Aga Khan University for its commitment to academic excellence, setting a benchmark for other institutions to follow.
“Aga Khan University has set high standards in academic excellence which need to be emulated,” he said praising the university’s dedication to quality education.
Aga Khan University President and Vice-Chancellor Sulaiman Shahabuddin expressed pride in the institution’s remarkable journey, having conferred diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate certificates to over 20,000 graduands since its establishment.
“I am proud of the institution’s milestone since its inception, having awarded diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate certificates to over 20,000 graduands,” he stated.
Among the graduands was Bernard Momanyi, Editorial Director at Capital FM, who was awarded an Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation, alongside colleagues from prominent media houses in Kenya such as Nation Media Group, Royal Media Services, TV47, Africa Uncensored among others.
Notable names included Harry Misiko, Caroline Wafula, Zeynab Wandati, Brian Ocharo, Emmanuel Waiswa, Sheila Adam, and Sam Barata from Nation Media Group, and Ken Kiunga from Google, Yvonne Okwara, Yussuf Ali, Sam Gituku, Fayzah Wanjiru, James Waindi all from Royal Media Services and Lilian Odera from The Standard Group.
Other remarkable individuals among the graduands were Francis Gachuri, formerly of Royal Media Services and currently heading communications at the Interior Ministry, as well as Macharia Wamugo, TV47 Editorial Director and John Allan-Namu of Africa Uncensored.
