Five proud students graduated with PhDs from Mount Kenya University (MKU) last Friday (August 7) during the institution’s 29th Graduation Ceremony. It was a culmination of a challenging journey. In a country where few people graduate with PhDs, the five have reached a destination that many desire but fail to arrive at, at the expected time.
The five, Benson Nyamweya Omwario, Amos Andama Nyamoko, Susan Wanjiku Mugo, Lilian Lwaya Elijah and Loise Kuria Nyakeru, graduated after undergoing a more rigorous scholarship process that MKU now insists on.
In a bold move, MKU is changing the direction of postgraduate training in the country. It is implementing two policies expected to unclog the PhD pipeline – a national challenge – while also promoting internationally recognised graduate research.
To graduate from MKU, doctoral students must publish their research in international peer reviewed journals.
“MKU is transforming postgraduate education through a learner-centred model that integrates research, mentorship, scholarly engagement and publication in peer-reviewed indexed journals,” says the Vice-Chancellor Prof Deogratius JAGANYI.
He explains that this approach seeks to produce competent researchers, innovators and thought leaders capable of addressing local and global challenges.
Prof JAGANYI emphasises that quality publication is central to the university’s vision of becoming a research-intensive institution. “PhD students are the drivers of research in highly ranked universities globally. Such research must be published in high-quality journals that enjoy international recognition. Our goal is not merely to graduate students, but to produce scholars whose research contributes to solving real-world challenges and advances the global body of knowledge.”
Here, the PhD graduates who published their projects in line with MKU’s new framework recount their scholarly journeys.
Benson Nyamweya Omwario
“My journey toward a PhD in finance at Mount Kenya University has been demanding, yet deeply rewarding. The rigorous coursework, comprehensive examinations, and thesis process sharpened my critical and analytical thinking.”
Amos Andama Nyamoko
“My scholarly journey at MKU has been transformational and inspiring. It took resilience and collaboration with faculty, management and other stakeholders. ICT backed learning made it exciting.
Susan Wanjiku Mugo
“My experience and academic journey at MKU proved to be enlightening and rewarding. While working on my thesis, I received the privilege to consult with industry experts, academia, senior executives, government officials, entrepreneurs and manufacturers. I gained an understanding on workforce dynamics within the apparel industry.
Lilian Lwaya Elijah
“My doctoral journey in Development Studies has been both taxing and deeply fulfilling. With Development being such a complex practical and scholarly discourse, the academic and research process called for profound rigour and resilience.”
Loise Kuria Nyakeru
“My doctoral journey at MKU has been characterised by rigorous academic processes that refined my scholarly discipline and critical thinking. I have contributed meaningfully to the body of knowledge by proving that application of positive psychological interventions can go a long way in enhancing students’ mental well-being.”
