This archive report was first published on 8 May 2020.
On May 8, 2020, Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology made history by conducting a virtual graduation ceremony, conferring 1,600 students with diplomas and degrees. The event marked a significant milestone for the university, which had to adapt to the changing circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unlike in previous years, the graduands and their parents did not gather in the university's graduation square. Instead, the venue was shifted to the university's boardroom, where university council members conducted the event. The Dean of faculties read the names of the graduands who were conferred degrees and diplomas, following the usual graduation procedures.
University Senate members and the Dean of faculties present maintained social distancing inside the hall, ensuring the safety of all attendees. The graduates and their families followed the proceedings streamed live on Facebook and YouTube within the confines of their homes.
The university offers technology-based courses such as software engineering, which are highly sought after in the job market. Speaking during the virtual graduation ceremony, the university's Acting Chancellor, Dr. Jane Nyakango, expressed confidence that the graduates would offer relevant skills to the job market.
"We as an institution are in the forefront in providing solutions to the pandemic," Dr. Nyakango said. "We have developed hand sanitizers, reusable masks, hazmat suits, and we are currently developing a ventilator to save patient's lives."
Dr. Nyakango also urged the graduates to be ambassadors of the university, using the skills they had acquired to make a positive impact in the world. The graduates interviewed expressed their gratitude to the university for proceeding with the graduation event, despite the stringent social distancing regulations that had been put in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
