The Right Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Thomas Tayebwa
The Chancellor of Kampala International University, 
Honorable Ministers 
Your Excellences, Ambassadors & High Commissioners;
Honorable Members of Parliament
Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees
Vice Chairperson and Members of the University Council
Vice Chancellor Kampala International University
Vice Chancellors of Other Universities
Deputy Vice Chancellors and Other Members of KIU Management
KIU Academic, Administrative, and Support Staff
KIU Student Guild Leadership
Parents and Guardians
Graduands
Ladies and Gentlemen; in your respective capacities;

Welcome Remarks

On behalf of the Kampala International University Council and on my own behalf, I warmly welcome you to the 26th graduation ceremony. 

I congratulate the young ladies and gentlemen for their various academic achievements and their parents, guardians, and sponsors for supporting their academic endeavors. May God bless you.

Let me take this opportunity to recognize and thank the Hon. Council members for the unlimited support they give accord me as Chairperson, to execute our mandate as provided for by the University Charter.

Mr. Chancellor (represented here by the Vice Chancellor as per the Charter), Sir, allow me to congratulate you, the Board of Trustees, the University Council, and the entire University Management on this, yet another successful graduation ceremony, which is a clear manifestation that KIU continues to learn as it grows. This learning curve, specifically for this graduation couldn’t have been an easy one, given the context and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current Ebola outbreak, however, KIU has continued to scale above the storms and maintain its position as the best private and 2nd overall University in Uganda.

I thank both staff and students for this resilience, which has stood the test of very recent tough times and still continues to excel.

I wish to commend the commitment of all key stakeholders of KIU, especially the Chairman Board of Trustees, Al Hajj Dr. Hassan Basajjabala, and his entire Board, who have been exceptional vision bearers for this great institution.

 

Centre of Excellence for Innovations and Entrepreneurship

As part of the mandate of the University Council, we have to ensure that research, publication, and innovation activities in the University are regulated to ensure quality scholarly work output. In this regard, the Research, Innovations, Consultancy, and Extension committee of the Council, has worked out various policy frameworks that will allow for this function to thrive at KIU. This will ensure that KIU contributes to creating jobs in the country, through its Centre of Excellence for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. At a time when Uganda is grappling with high rates of unemployment, this center will add value to the graduates going out of KIU, and beyond the walls of the University, as any great institution does. 

Through the committee of Appointments and Promotions, I wish to congratulate the staff who were successful in the recent promotions and encourage management to keep striving to grow human resources, as they are the engine that drives a University. 

I recognize the hard work that goes into leading the team at KIU, especially, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mouhamad Mpezamihigo, the Deputy Vice Chancellors, the whole Management team, the University Senate, Academic and non-academic staff, our students, strategic partners that have contributes significantly to the success of KIU overtime. We are because you put in the work and we do not take that for granted. 

Mr. Chancellor, Sir, allow me to echo the extraordinary commitment and vast support of the entire University Council to the vision of KIU. I would like to congratulate the Honourable members of the University Council who continuously and expeditiously bring their intellect and wealth of professional experience to the Council. 

TO THE GRADUANDS:

You put in the hard work and you have achieved what many people desire but don’t get a chance to accomplish. When you look around you, and in other institutions too, it is not uncommon to find that the people you started Kindergarten with are not with you on this journey anymore. Some passed, but others were not privileged enough to complete their primary and secondary schooling. The fact that you are here today, should be a testimony of how hard you have worked but also a reminder that you have a purpose on this earth that’s not yet done. Take time and find your purpose and pursue it with every ounce of knowledge, energy, and resources available to you. In case you are wondering what you will do tomorrow, enroll for another course, get a micro skill, but as much as you can improve yourself each and every day. Keep exploring the heights wherever you go.

Once again, congratulations once again to the graduands, the staff, parents and guardians and all KIU’s stakeholders. 
I wish you all a safe journey back home. 
Have blessed celebrations and stay safe

Prof. Fred Wabwire Mangen, MBChB, DTM&H, MPH, PhD
CHAIRPERSON, KIU UNIVERSITY COUNCIL