CUEA: “Go Into the World to Serve,” Kenyan Cleric to Graduands

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) has advised the graduating class of 2023 to go to the world and serve the people in society with the knowledge gained from the university.

The VC Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Mbugua Ngari made the comment during the 42^nd graduation ceremony on Friday, October 27, and told the graduands, “I ask you to go into the world to serve, do not forget your Alma Mater.

He assured the congregation that the candidates who were about to graduate were holistically formed and ready to be innovative and bring transformation to the society through their services.

“Confidently, I can say that the Graduating class of 2023 has been formed holistically, and is ready to serve the Church and society as ethical leaders in their respective areas of specialization. This gives our Graduates a purpose to execute their potentials.” Fr. Mbugua who has been at the helm of the university since 2018 said in his speech adding, “We are proud of teaching curricula that are strategic, industry-driven, and aimed at producing innovative graduates that contribute by not only filling the job vacancies, but also creating opportunities for others through entrepreneurial initiatives.”

According to the VC, the holistic formation of students is being realized in CUEA because of the many initiatives that aim at improving the quality of education offered in the Catholic university reinforced with CUEA values.

“The inculcation of our values to our students is what makes them ethical leaders. This value inculcation is administered to our students through academic and value formation, which leads to their holistic persona in the world of work,” Fr. Mbugua narrated and expressed his excitement that the application of these values is evident among the staff and students in many fronts “like supporting the needy students through Community Mass offering every Thursday, The Cardinal Otunga Scholarship Fundraising activities and other initiatives in the community.”

In his message to the graduands, the VC said, “The knowledge and skills you have acquired in CUEA have prepared you for eventuality (in the society). In addition, the ace that you have up your sleeve by being a Graduate of CUEA is your inculcation in universally accepted ethical values and professionalism that is coveted today.”

He also stressed the significance of collaboration which leads to increased success and improves teamwork.

“Transformation is achieved through the solidarity of our University’s Sponsors, Trustees, and Council as well as the staff and students who prescribe to the highest aspirations in rigorous teaching, learning, research, and formation through mentorship, modeling of character, and academic acumen,” Fr. Mbugua narrated and revealed that the university is currently in collaboration with the Austrian Embassy to Kenya primarily in the area of Counseling Psychology, where the Embassy has donated an automated psychometric kit to the University and has also been giving free seminars to CUEA students on Political Psychology and Professionalism.

Besides he explained further CUEA’s collaboration with other institutions, “We are now an Accredited Training Partner for the internationally recognized Project Management Professional programs (PMP and CAPM) offered in partnership with PMI-USA. These certifications can be added to any degree giving our graduates global industry recognition, additional skills, increased job prospects, and higher earning potential.”

He noted that during the last plenary assembly of the Bishops of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) who are the owners of CUEA, the university made a promise to the Church and society “that we would mold our students to be ethical leaders for Church and Society.”

Speaking at the same event held under the theme: ‘Transformed by Truth: Embarking on a life of Purpose,’ the special guest Rev. Prof. Nyirindekwe Munyambaraga Innocent, the Rector and Vice Chancellor of Catholic University La Sapientia (UCS-Goma) in the Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed their collaboration with CUEA as a “clear sign of positive cooperation that we (UCS-Goma) intend to build for the benefit of our two respective institutions.”

“It is also an opportunity to express my joy at being able to sign a cooperation agreement between our two Universities. This is the result of proximity and friendship, born when I met for the first time Prof Stephen, The Vice-Chancellor in Boston (US) last year 2022 during our General Assembly and when he was elected as Vice-President of our International Federation of Catholic Universities,” he said.

Speaking about his achievements after graduation, one of the Ph.D. graduates Fr. Paul Mung’athia Igweta expressed that, “Ph.D. journey is not just about research but about resilience, overcoming obstacles, battling self-doubt, and persisting in the face of adversity.”

“I have weathered the storms of failed agreements, the rigors of comprehensive exams, and the anxiety of presentation and defence to the academic community,” Fr. Igweta shared with AMECEA Online after the Friday graduation and added, “The challenges have formed me into an individual I am today.”