DELIVERED ON MONDAY, 31^st AUGUST 2020. DURING THE 2020 VIRTUAL FRESHERS ORIENTATION

Deputy Vice Chancellors,

University Management Board Members,

Members of the University Senate watching virtually,

Members of Staff present and watching virtually,

Students watching virtually,

All fresh men and women watching virtually,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

SALUTATION

On behalf of the Chancellor, University Council, Senate, members of staff and students, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to the first virtual orientation programme of the University. The orientation of student is a very important activity in the calendar of events of this university and as a result we still have it even during COVID19.

As we assemble here today on this auspicious day, it is my privilege and great pleasure that I welcome you all to Egerton University, the Premier Agricultural Public University in Kenya. I am delighted that this is where you would like to spend your next three to six years. Allow me to also congratulate all of you for making it to the top cream of Kenyan intellectuals and for having secured an admission at this institution of higher learning- a world class university for the advancement of humanity. I know you have been chosen among many who were competing for the few placements available. Your admission to Egerton University marks the climax of a long and treacherous journey which you started many years ago. However, this journey is going to be different. Your high school journey was largely managed by your teachers, family, parents and guardians among others. Now you will not only be the sole manager but also become sole critic of yourself. You can determine the direction of this journey.

I want also to congratulate your parents, guardians, sponsors and other well-wishers for their efforts that has enabled you reach this far.  We have been waiting expectantly and preparing for your arrival. Once more welcome.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY

 Egerton University is the oldest institution of higher learning in Kenya. It was founded as a Farm School/ Agricultural college in 1939 by Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton, a British national who settled in Kenya in the 1920s. Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton donated 400 hectares of his land to the government of Kenya to set up a school to train large scale farmers in Kenya highlands. In 1986, Egerton College became constituent college of University of Nairobi. In 1987 Egerton College became a fully-fledged university by an Act of Parliament. In 2013 Egerton University was granted a charter as per 2012 Universities Act. Currently the university offers sixty-nine (69) undergraduate degree programmes, twenty (20) diplomas, sixty-seven (67) masters, five (5) post graduate diploma programme, and fifty-two doctoral programmes (52). It has forty-four (44) departments in eleven (11) faculties with over 2000 staff members (academic, administrative and support staff) and about Fifteen Thousand (15000) students spread across Njoro campus, Nakuru Town Campus, Nairobi City Campus, Mpeketoni and Kenyatta campus.  Among our iconic facilities is Lord Egerton Castle located seven kilometers (7 km) away from Njoro campus along Eldoret –Nakuru road. I hope you will find time during your stay to visit the Castle.

MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY

Egerton University has a well-organized management structure with the Chancellor as the Head of the institution vested with the powers to confer degrees, and award diplomas, the University Council which makes policies governing the operations of the university. The University Management Board charged with the daily operations of the university. The senate which comprises the University Management Board, Deans, Directors, Chairmen of Departments and Full professors are charged with the responsibility of running the academic programs, examinations, academic calendars, student matters, admission of students and graduations.

OUR VISION, MISSION AND CORE VALUES.

 Ladies and gentlemen, Egerton University envisions to be world Class University for the advancement of humanity and as such it provides a beautiful, peaceful, rewarding, socially exciting, friendly and enriching environment for quality academic performance. Our responsibility (yours and ours) is to enhance the already pre-eminent standing of our University as an outstanding institution of higher learning and academic excellence. Through our teaching and learning we seek to produce graduates who are knowledgeable and skilled, critical, democratic citizens, ethical leaders who are committed to passion for excellence, devotion to duty, integrity, accountability and transparency, professionalism and social fairness

CRITICAL POINTS TO THE STUDENTS

Take your academic work seriously: Always observe Examination Regulations while you are studying at the University

• Attend all your lectures on time and without fail
• Do your assignments promptly and submit them to your lecturers on time
• Check the examinations timetable twice; confirm the venue and the time of your exam again and again – misreading of the timetable or oversleeping are not acceptable as reasons for missing an exam
• Avoid the temptation to cheat in the examinations because the consequences of being found guilty of examinations malpractice are severe. This may be the surest way to terminate your studies prematurely. DON” T TRY IT!

Understand the system:  note that you are a single folder in an ocean of student folders, so be ready to understand and fight for your rights- whether it is registering for your classes, correcting a grade, sitting for a resit understand the procedures and follow them to the latter.

 Discover your passion and pursue it. Your time in Egerton University will be one of the freest and most exciting in your life. It is an opportunity to discover who you are and what your passion is. Be sure to find your passion and pursue it with dedication and commitment. It’s going to be a time of transition, a time of adjustment and a time of change. You must now take responsibility for your future and all that you do. University life is a time for learning and self-discovery. There will be no bell ringer, yet you must keep time.

Surround yourself with productive and positive people. Your education and personal growth and development will be stunted if you surround yourself with only those who share your beliefs, ideas, perspectives, world view, and have similar life experience as you.

 I strongly encourage you to associate and interact with other young people who come from different backgrounds-racial, cultural, social class, linguistic, ethnic origin, or geographical background-someone with views, ideas, beliefs, and perspectives different from yours.

Be willing to share your ideas. You must keep an open mind and be willing to subject your views, beliefs, opinions, assumptions, and ideas to scrutiny, tests and interrogation. We want you to use the power of reasoned argument, logic, and debate to explore differences with view to narrowing them down, breaking new ground and enhancing and deepening shared understanding. We want you to develop the ability and capacity to analyze, to reason, with evidence, to reflect and argue using knowledge.

At Egerton we value and treasure your individuality. We appreciate different ways of thinking, different ways of seeing things and different ways of being. We encourage and support dissent and contestation of ideas. We want you to develop the ability and skill to question, to challenge conventional wisdom and contest the facts.

Engage in outreach for personal and academic growth. Egerton University does not exist in vacuum –we exist within particular social, economic, cultural, political and historical context. Our community engagement endeavors to take knowledge beyond the confines of campus into variety of social domains. I urge you to use the knowledge gained in the course of your study in Egerton to enrich and make a difference in society through outreach programmes.

Engage in productive and meaningful relationships.

Be friends with everyone and seek counsel from the counselling office to enable you have responsible relationship. Ladies avoid unwanted pregnancies, avoid violence, sexual harassment of the opposite sex, drug and substance abuse and casual sex that may expose you to contracting HIV/AIDS. I urge you to avoid bad company and negative influences that may lead you to these ills.

Actively look for information rather than waiting for the information to be provided.

The learning process in the university is different from what you were used to in your secondary education. As university student you will be expected to play an active role in looking for information rather than expecting lecturers to provide it. I urge you to make good use of the resources available in the lecture halls, library, resource centres and the halls of residences.

Adhere to the set rules and regulations. The University is governed by rules, regulations, procedures and processes guiding your conduct, relationships, academics, rights and obligations during your stay in the university. Make sure you have students hand book and rules and regulation booklet. I urge you to seek help whenever you encounter any problems or challenges. Make use of excellent counselling services in the office of the Dean of Students and Academic Advisors whom you will be assigned in your respective departments. I urge you to utilize these channels to solve your problems in peaceful, democratic, and in civilized manner. Avoid the use of riots and other reactive methods that may lead to disturbances in campus.

Manage your time well.  Utilize your time well while on campus to achieve your potential. Remember there are a lot of expectations from your parents, government and the society at large. Do not disappoint them. Take your time also to involve yourself in worthy causes such as advocacy for social justice, peace building activities and other voluntary activities. I urge you to make time to interact with others in professional clubs and associations, sports, religious and cultural activities.

Lastly, keep your faith in God while you are in the University, do not turn away from your spiritual life just because you have come to University; trust in God to take you places that you may have never dreamt of before. 

Closing remarks: a word of encouragement

Finally, my sons and daughters. I’m aware that most of you are anxious to be physically present in the University and are wondering how the University looks like, the complexities about the structures of the university, the various programs offered and the resources available. I trust that very soon the pandemic would be over, and life would get back to normal and we expect to see you here physically. It’s my wish and prayer that   through the orientation programme staff from various departments have address most of your anxieties and introduced you to the resources and information that will make your stay at this university a rewarding experience. Get hold of your academic advisors and lecturers and follow them for advice. Choose your friends wisely, respect yourself and others. Live well with your roommates and make friends with people from Kenya, Africa and the whole world who are all here in Egerton. Let us each do our part to make EGERTON the place of mutual respect that will enable all of us to be our best.

THANK YOU ALL

GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS EGERTON

Monday 31 August 2020 

To all students reporting for their maiden study at an institution of higher learning, welcome to Egerton University.

Congratulations for earning your slots to pursue your studies at this great institution. As you probably know already, Egerton University was founded in 1939 as a Farm School by Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton, making it the oldest institution of higher learning in Kenya.

Today, the University is the pre-eminent University in the training of Agriculture and related disciplines, churning out qualified graduands who attract high demand in the labor market.

At Egerton University, we work SMART, with diligence, discipline and strict adherence to applicable laws and regulations in Kenya and the world.

Governance of the Division and Students Welfare 

The Division of Planning, Administration and Development superintends over functions that cater for the welfare of staff and students. These include:

• Directorate of University Welfare Services (UWS) which is headed by the Director, University Welfare Services, who coordinates operations at the Halls of Residence, Catering department and the Disability Mainstreaming Office. The Students’ Halls department is headed by a Chief Halls Officer while the Catering department is headed by a Chief Catering Officer;
• The University Medical Centre, which is a Level 3A medical facility, is headed by the Chief Medical Officer. Students are assured of proper medical care on campus.
• The Water and Sanitation department is headed by a Resident Water Engineer. This department ensures continuous provision of clean water throughout the university.
• Security department is headed by a high ranking Chief Inspector of Police who also acts as the University Chief Security Officer. He coordinates all security organs in the University including the outsourced private security company and the government provided security officers from the National Police Service, hosted on campus.
• Transport department headed by the Transport Officer. This department facilitates all transport logistics for the University including students’ academic trips, field visits and sporting activities off campus.
• Estates department is headed by the Estates Manager. It is at this department where repairs of furniture and fixtures are handled to ensure sustained comfort of students.

Statistics

The University is able to host 60% of its students on campus hostels. Students have an option of seeking accommodation facilities outside the campus in the neighboring community. Because of the Government guidelines and regulations to contain the spread of Corona virus pandemic, university hostels are set up to host a total of 5000.

The accommodation plan is such that students have options to stay in whichever hostel they prefer. Prices range from Ksh.2500 to Ksh.5500 per semester. To get a slot in a preferred hostel, the University facilitates students to book through an online platform on first come basis.

Students Conduct

Students are expected to abide by the rules and regulations governing student conduct while at Egerton University. These are contained in the Student Information Handbook given to all students on admission.

Grooming

Dress code should be as detailed in the Student Information Handbook. Generally, students are expected to maintain high level of personal hygiene. This is especially key during this period of COVID-19. The University has set up hygiene protocols in hostels and other public areas that are expected to be observed at all times.

You are encouraged to wear your fascial masks at all times and avoid unnecessary gatherings that go against the provided guidelines on physical/social distancing.

Your living areas should always be kept neat and in order to keep away transmittable ailments.

Corruption & Integrity Issues

Students should refrain from acts of corruption and conduct themselves with the highest level of integrity.

The University treats acts of corruption as criminal and cases identified are handed over to the National Police Service for prosecution.

You are urged to avoid giving false information of any form to authorities. Both statutory and University regulations will be applied to deal with those who negate principles of integrity.

Social Life

• Survive the “Freshers” web. Choose well. You will succeed or fail 100% individually. Appreciate that you are a student and do what is required of you.
• Social groups: Never adopt "anything goes mentality". That will be the beginning of the end for you. Shun bad company and be prudent
• Personal conduct & with others/staff/administration should always be official. High decorum is expected of you.

Vices

Drugs and alcohol are a global problem with devastating consequences on health, security, safety and culture of the institution. Alcohol and substance abuse is prevalent among students. Those found engaging in these vices are traced, arrested, prosecuted to instill discipline.

The University has a policy Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Liaise with the office of the Dean of Students and the Directorate of University Welfare to familiarize yourselves with the document to be on the safe side.

Theft of property belonging to colleagues and the University is criminal and punishable by expulsion from the University. Use only what belongs to you or officially allocated by the University.

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is rife in the student community and you are encouraged to follow the ABC rule to protect yourselves. VCT services are available at the University Medical Centre. ARVs are provided to those infected. Students should not shy away from these services.

Facilities and Resources

Protection and preservation of University resources and facilities (books, vehicles, Furniture, Equipment, Materials, etc) is the responsibility of every student.

These are the resources that are key in delivering the quality education the University provides.

Penalties accompanying loss, misuse and damage of University property will apply.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Egerton University is prepared to deal with cases of COVID-19 identified on campus. An isolation center has been set up and activities here are coordinated closely with the Nakuru County COVID-19 Response Team to handle emergency cases.

The University has established a COVID-19 Monitoring and Response Taskforce which is charged with the responsibility of coordinating activities geared towards preventing the spread of the virus in line with the Government Guidelines and Regulations.

Adequate water and soap will be availed at all public areas to ensure students wash hands regularly.

You are required to cooperate with the security personnel at the University entrances when they stop you for screening purposes. The idea is to detect and isolate people suspected to be displaying symptoms in order to stem the spread.

Note that unnecessary movement in and out of campus will be kept at minimum.

Problem Solving

Whenever you need assistance on campus you are encouraged to contact the following officers:

• Dean of students
• Director, University Welfare Services
• Heads of Department
• Students’ Counsellor
• Respective Faculty Deans/Directors

Always remember to be your Brother/Sisters keeper. Reach out to your colleagues who may be undergoing challenges.

The University uses various modes of communication. Wireless internet hotspots are installed in strategic areas around campus. These are aimed at helping students leverage on technology to access online academic resources.

Various social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp are also employed to make communication reach intended recipients.

The other way the University often communicates to the public is through its website which also hosts a variety of important university policies and guidelines.

Best wishes to each of you on the start of your professional academic journey

God Bless you all.

It brings me great joy to address our esteemed 1st Years - the latest addition to our Egerton University family. With the happenings of the year, Egerton University’s ability to water the dreams of thousands of individuals despite the constraints that stand, has stood the test of time. This orientation process goes to show Egerton University’s preparedness and motivation to dissipate education despite the circumstances that lie. 

On behalf of the Division of Academic Affairs, I wish to share with you a resounding message of congratulations for the far that you’ve come. You have beaten the odds to join one of the best institutions of higher learning in Kenya, Africa, and beyond. I couldn’t think of any other place I would rather be. 

Welcome to Egerton University! A university that is intent on transforming lives through quality education!

The Division of Academic Affairs thanks you, for choosing Egerton University and exercising a great deal of patience all through the induction process. I thank The Dean of Students’ office for going to great lengths to organize this orientation that has been fruitful in ushering you into their next step in life. The positive feedback garnered through the entire process sends back a message of a team prepared for academic empowerment and holistic growth.

Dear students,

This is the first orientation program of its kind for all of us even as a university. A few months back, none of us thought that we would be speaking to you from the back of a screen. But as life has it, there will always be the first of many things that will come our way. This realization calls for open-mindedness in our approach towards life and all that encompasses it. As a university, we are proud to say that we have steered conversations towards the incorporation of technology in the delivery of education for quite a while. To say that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a blessing in disguise is an understatement. 

The pandemic has opened our eyes to avenues that we for long thought were far out of reach. Starting with this virtual orientation, we are the first public institution in Keya to hold induction of students of such a massive scale online. I am proud to also share that we are also the first public university in Kenya to hold virtual graduation utilizing all virtual spaces successfully. We are also on course with online classes and have conducted several masters and PhD defences online. Now, many of the courses that best fit an online teaching module shall remain that way even after we beat the pandemic.

It is safe to say that we are on the right course towards advancing quality education. With you being central to this change, you shall also attend classes online for the better part of the foreseeable future until normalcy resumes. Even then, many of the courses and programs that best fit an online teaching module shall remain so. You will go into history books as being the first lot to fully start their learning program on an online basis.

Having this understanding and knowledge that the Division of Academic Affairs is directly charged with guaranteeing the academic well-being of our students, I, therefore, stand here to tell you that we are going to be with you every step of the way to guarantee your academic, social, and professional breakthrough. My office shall hold your hand through this journey and ensure that you are furnished with the best of quality education.

 Kindly note that the Division of Academic Affairs will determine your stay in this great institution since it is this division that is responsible for your academics and affairs at individual level including all extracurricular activities. This is the division that will recommend your recognition and commendations when you do well and punishment when you do observe our rules and regulations. I would urge all of you to ensure that you download the student handbook and our rules and regulations from the orientation website and read and understand them.

Our esteemed students,

I am sure you have heard a lot concerning Egerton University, our history, facilities, and everything that defines us. The people who spoke before me have shared to great lengths about how great Egerton University is. I can’t add anything more to what they have already shared. I second every sentiment because I am a product of Egerton University family and I am a testimony of the goodness of this great university. I was where you are 32 years ago.

I believe that you have joined a university with a track record of producing the finest individuals who change the conversations and steer the world forward. One thing is, however, central to all this greatness; the people. The entity that is pertinent to the luminous status of Egerton University is not its facilities or its hallmark position in academics and research. It is us – you included.

Our students, our lecturers, our other staff, and our extended community have a unique ability to express undying love and commitment in their undertakings in ways that surpass human understanding, and in many ways, bringing out the best of Egerton University. This spirit of belonging follows an Egertonian wherever they go and they do their best to make Egerton University stand out. This has always reflected well on us long after all has been said and done. Our passion for excellence and devotion to duty, as stipulated in our anthem, has made us stand out from the crowd as Egertonians. 

Given the great honour that comes with being an Egertonian, we now send back the responsibility to you to defend the Egerton University brand. Upon each of your heads rests a crown. And as we all know, “Heavy is the head that rests the crown”. Now that you identify as Egertonians, it is up to you to live up to the standard and if possible, surpass it. 

Someone might ask, “But how will I do this?”.

The answer is quite simple: Set out on a journey of innovativeness, integrity, professionalism, and every other core value that this great university is founded upon. Be sure to make good of any opportunity you have to better yourselves and the brand you represent. Explore your talents, break your academic limitations and exercise your God-given leadership in everything you partake of and don’t forget to be better versions of yourselves each day. 

By doing such simple things, you will have lived up to the great name that is Egerton University.

I am saying this with so much conviction because I understand that you did not make it this far because of luck. And neither did we. To be fair, no successful person makes it that high because of luck. Luck suggests success or failure brought about by chance rather than one's resolve. The far we have come, the milestones we have crossed, and the odds we have beaten to reach this far cannot be attributed to luck, but rather, the call to our dreams and our deliberate choice to chase them to attainment. That is why I urge you to move forward knowing that you are in great hands and that you have it in you to achieve all that you set out to attain. 

Dear first years, 

As you complete your orientation into Egerton University and embark on a journey of academic empowerment, I, once again, want to welcome you to Egerton University and encourage you to live up to the name that you have created and that which you represent.

With those remarks, I wish you all the best during your stay at Egerton University. Congratulations on this success and the many that are to come.

God bless you all!

Invite the VC.

DELIVERED ON FRIDAY, 31^st JULY 2020 DURING THE 42^ND GRADUATION CEREMONY