By Frank Kamuntu
Clarke International University (CIU) marked a milestone on its academic calendar with its 15th Graduation Ceremony, celebrating the achievements of 464 graduates who are set to enter the professional world equipped with knowledge, skill, and a commitment to lead change.
Presided over by the Chancellor, Professor Moses Galukande, and graced by the Vice Chancellor, Associate Professor Rose Clarke Nanyonga, the ceremony was a vibrant blend of joy, reflection, and aspiration. The event drew distinguished guests, including the State Minister for Higher Education, Hon. John Chrysestom Muyingo, who represented Her Excellency Vice President Jesca Alupo, university leadership, faculty, and proud families.
In an inspiring address, Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Rose Clarke Nanyonga urged graduates to embrace the CIU mission of global leadership and transformation. Drawing from the wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt, she reminded them that life’s purpose is “to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”
Prof. Nanyonga emphasized the importance of adaptability, a critical competency in today’s dynamic and rapidly evolving world. “The world you are entering is different from when you first arrived at CIU,” she noted. “The ability to learn to learn will be your greatest asset in sustaining lifelong growth.”
As CIU’s alumni community grows to over 4,000 professionals across Uganda and beyond, graduates were encouraged to remain engaged and uphold the university’s legacy through thought leadership and innovative action.
“You are catalysts for transformation who will ultimately make a difference through practice and scholarship,” she concluded.
Justice Madrama – Commencement Speaker
The keynote address was delivered by Justice Christopher Izama Madrama, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda. With a career steeped in legal excellence and unwavering ethical standards, Justice Madrama presented a powerful charge to the graduates.
He highlighted four guiding principles for their professional journey:
- Integrity and Excellence
“Excellence without integrity is empty,” Justice Madrama cautioned. He stressed that true leadership and lasting success are grounded in honesty, ethics, and moral courage. - Resilience in the Face of Challenges
Encouraging graduates to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth, he cited iconic examples from history—Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, and Oprah Winfrey—who turned failures into stepping stones toward greatness. - The Responsibility to Serve Society
Justice Madrama reminded graduates that education brings with it the responsibility to uplift society. Whether in healthcare, law, business, or technology, they were called to use their skills for the common good. - The Courage to Dream Big and Innovate
“Uganda’s future lies in your courage to challenge the status quo,” he urged. Graduates were called to dream beyond limitations, lead innovation, and shape the nation’s progress.
A Nation’s Pride In CIU Graduates
Hon. John Chrysestom Muyingo, representing Vice President Jesca Alupo, celebrated CIU’s role in shaping Uganda’s future workforce. He encouraged graduates to enter the workforce not merely to practice but to perfect their skills, as a testament to the high-quality education they received.
Vice President Alupo, in her speech delivered by Hon. Muyingo, praised CIU for providing education that transforms societies. She particularly encouraged graduates in health sciences to be innovative and contribute to technological advancements that enhance productivity and service delivery in the health sector.
Graduation Statistics
The 15th CIU Graduation Ceremony saw an impressive number of graduates from various schools:
- School of Business and Applied Technology (SOBAT) – 25 graduates
- School of Nursing (SON) – 76 graduates
- School of Public Health (SOPH) – 72 graduates
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences (IAHS) – 291 graduates; all together making a total number of 464.
One of the graduates spoke to Swift News revealing that; “Clarke International University stands as a beacon of hope, innovation, and excellence. We the graduates are not only recipients of degrees but we are ambassadors of change, equipped to address complex societal challenges with integrity, resilience, and visionary leadership.”
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