By Dr. Ermias Terefe
Photo: Edson Macharia

A total of 50 Bachelor of Pharmacy graduates took part in the Oath taking ceremony led by the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) and administered by PSK Fellow Dr. Rogers Atebe on September 24, 2021. In attendance were Dr. Rashid Aman, Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Ministry of Health, Prof. Frieda Brown, Vice Chancellor, USIU-Africa, Prof. Munyae Mulinge, Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Francis Ndemo, Dean, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Dr. Louis Machogu, President, PSK and Dr. Daniella Munene, Chief Executive Officer, PSK. The oath taking ceremony was led by Dr. Rogers Atebe.

During the ceremony, Hon. Fellow Prof. Francis Ndemo, Dean, SPHS congratulated the students for their achievement and appreciated the effort of the faculty and staff for successful delivery of the theoretical and practical courses in the students’ five-year journey. In his remarks, Prof. Ndemo noted that the School of Pharmacy was working towards the implementation of a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) program, which would increase the employability of graduates globally and also improve local and regional pharmaceutical care services.

In her speech, Prof. Brown Vice Chancellor, USIU-Africa, congratulated the students and acknowledged the efforts of the faculty, staff and parents in the achievement of the milestone.

“I would like to convey my sincerest appreciation to your families, friends, employers, colleagues, mentors and USIU-Africa’s staff and faculty, all of whom have been instrumental in helping you achieve this milestone today,” she said.

“Each of you here today is proof of USIU-Africa’s standing in the regional and international academic sector. You are proof of our expertise in academic and research excellence, and you represent our efforts at being at the forefront of economic and social change not only in Kenya, but across the world. As you take your oaths today, remember that you now have in your hands the responsibility of shaping the future. There are many challenges, both ongoing and imminent, that we will have to face as an institution, a society, as a country, and as a continent. Use the education that you have obtained here at USIU-Africa to help you do the very important work of reimagining our future,” she added.

These remarks were echoed by Dr. Daniella Munene, Chief Executive Officer, Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK), who reminded the graduands to abide to the code of conduct for Pharmacists and invited them to join the society which would provide an opportunity for mentorship into the profession.

In his remarks, Dr. Rashid Aman, Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Ministry of Health appreciated the infrastructure of the university particularly the investments made in the SPHS. Additionally, Dr. Aman encouraged the School of Pharmacy to introduce postgraduate programs that will help in the expansion of the school to become a center of excellence.
The Valedictorian, Dr. Akash Shah noted that the graduating class had put in time, effort and hard work to achieve their qualifications.

“Five years ago, we came with dreams and aspirations and today we are leaving with bigger ambitions. Our hard work, long hours of studying and constant stress have finally paid off. All the knowledge instilled in us by all our lecturers, which truly proved to be immensely valuable to us to our future endeavors. From lab sessions to the museum and to the botanical garden these are some of our few cherished moments,” he said.