He cites global partnerships and an ambitious new research centre
UZIMA UNIVERSITY, 30th January – President William Ruto, addressing the 5th graduation ceremony at Uzima University, conferred a “singular honour” and described the institution as “steadily distinguishing itself as a bold and emerging force in Kenya’s higher education landscape, shaping both minds and hands through cutting-edge medical training in the service of humanity.”
Dr Ruto traced the university’s deliberate journey in medical training, noting, “From its approval 15 years ago to its opening in 2012 with three pioneering programmes such as Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, nursing, and microbiology.”
The introduction of clinical medicine, he added, including the granting of a Letter of Interim Authority, and the crowning achievement of a full University Charter last year, Uzima University has “deliberately carved out its place in medical training, and stands ready to leave an indelible mark.”
He expressed being “deeply impressed by the ambition of Uzima University,” asserting that it “proves that the greatness of an institution is measured not by its age, not by its size, but by the scale of its ambition; not by what it promises, but by what it delivers.”
To illustrate this ambition, President Ruto detailed specific medical advancements. He highlighted that “Uzima’s global partnerships are fast becoming a launchpad for excellence,” with the “Uzima Global Campus now serving as a working bridge between the Global North and the Global South, bringing world-class expertise directly to Kisumu.”
He acknowledged the presence of “visiting medical trainers from leading institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, and the University of Oxford, who have delivered hands-on clinical training, transferring not only knowledge but also the latest life-saving skills in modern healthcare.”
Further, he outlined how “through international exchange programmes, students and faculty are strengthening healthcare capacity and professional excellence,” with “specialist collaborations… expanding neurosurgical care and demonstrating the power of diaspora expertise working hand-in-hand with local talent.”
Signalling a major leap forward, the President announced that “through a major global research partnership, Uzima stands at the threshold of establishing a world-class oncology and haematology research centre, a clinical trials hub, and a training ground for the next generation of cancer specialists.”
He concluded that “taken together, these initiatives complete the picture of a university setting its sights on excellence, on relevance, and on service to society.”
Linking this institutional ambition to the national ethos, President Ruto stated, “That same level of ambition is one we must embrace and cultivate consistently, both as a people and as a nation.”
He reflected on a past where ambition was lacking, noting, “That is why Universal Health Coverage remained out of reach for many.” Contrasting this with present reforms, he declared, “Not anymore. That era of the average, of mediocrity, is well and truly behind us,” and confirmed, “Today, Universal Health Coverage is a lived reality, with more than 29 million Kenyans registered under the Social Health Authority.”
In a personal charge to the graduates, the President shared, “Like many of you, I was not born into privilege, What I received from my parents, though, was far more enduring: Faith in God, belief in myself, and the discipline of hard work.”
Dr Ruto called these “the great equaliser of life,” affirming, “With faith, self-belief, and hard work, your starting point does not define your destination. Your background does not limit your future. Your present circumstances do not dictate your final story.”
His final exhortation was for the graduates to “go forth and become practical dreamers: Men and women who dream at night and work by day to fulfil those dreams. That is the spirit this university has planted in you. May your purpose be clear, your courage steady, and your effort tireless and rewarding.”
