UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI ISSUES DEADLINE TO 2020 GRADUATES

UoN Issues Deadline to 2020 Graduates

The University of Nairobi has issued an advisory to thousands of graduates of the 63rd Congregation for the conferment of degrees and award of diplomas held on September 25, 2020. 
UoN directed graduates to collect their certificates at the Central Examinations Centre, Chiromo Campus, by November 27, 2020. 

"Certificates should be collected by Friday, November 27, 2020.  Any certificate not collected by this date will be liable to a storage charge of Kshs 1,000 per year.   
"For the avoidance of doubt, any part of a year after the expiry of the collection date shall attract a storage charge of Kshs 1,000," UoN stated. 

Graduations in 2020 were hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic, with all universities opting for virtual events. At UoN, over six staff deaths were recorded.
Moi University also resorted to online clearances, requesting students to request approvals and clear through the students' portal.

However, the website faced a number of setbacks, with students lamenting that the process was slow. 
Thousands of 2020 graduates were challenged by their Vice-Chancellors to create job opportunities and opt for self-employment as the Covid-19 pandemic had affected various industries. 
According to a report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), 1,841,918 Kenyans were unemployed in the months of April, May and June 2020. 

The government has indicated its intention to resolve the unemployment problem. 
ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru revealed that the government would engage educational institutions and local companies to help bridge the unemployment gap through the Ajira Digital platform. 
The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report also listed a number of promises for the youth, especially graduates.
BBI proposed that the grace period offered to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) beneficiaries before they are expected to make payments be extended to four years from the date of completing their studies.
The report also suggested that graduates be allowed to request exemptions from repayment until they secure jobs.