INFOSPOT Issue No. 1 | Special Edition  10th January, 2025

Dear Freshman!

Hello and a very warm welcome from the Orientation Team! Congratulations on your admission to Daystar University. We have been praying for you and are excited that you are finally here.

Please take note of the following: 

The Orientation Week begins on Monday January 13, 2025 at Daystar University Main Campus Athi River and ends on Sunday January 19, 2025.

Welcome!

Upon arrival, the University Orientation Team made up of older students will receive and give you an unforgettable welcome experience to our wonderful University. 

Watch the Welcome video here: https://youtu.be/om-jeuMLXQM

Programmes

On arrival, you will find Orientation Week Programme in your Infopack.  Click here to download programmes for Fulltime Day Students and Evening Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. All Fulltime undergraduate and diploma students will report to the Main Campus Athi River Main Campus. Please note that Orientation is mandatory for all new students. 

On Monday January 13, 2025, the Vice Chancellor will address all new students and their parents/guardians at Daystar University Main Campus Athi River, from 10:00am to 12:00pm.  Click here to access the Programme for VC’s Welcome Address  to fulltime students and plan to attend.  In the evening of the same day, the VC will address all postgraduate and evening students from 5:30pm.  Click here to download the Programme for VC’s Welcome Address to Evening Students.

The Athi River Campus is located approximately 40 kilometres from Nairobi and 5 kilometres from the Mombasa Road turnoff. If coming from Nairobi and Athi River, take the second left turn after Greenpark Estate immediately after the KENHA bridge.  If coming from Machakos, turn just before the KENHA bridge.  Beware of speeding vehicles from Nairobi before crossing.  A 6-metre directional signage is clearly visible from either direction.  If you have a smartphone, follow this location PIN for direction. In case you need help, please call +254 748 100 759.

The purpose of Orientation Week is to welcome and acquaint new students with their new environment on Campus before classes begin on Monday January 20, 2025. It also helps to make new friends faster and give you an unforgettable freshman experience.

On arrival, you will find Orientation Week Programme in your Infopack.  Click here to download programmes for Fulltime Day Students and Evening Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. All Fulltime undergraduate and diploma students will report to the Main Campus Athi River Main Campus. Please note that Orientation is mandatory for all new students. 

On Monday January 13, 2025, the Vice Chancellor will address all new students and their parents/guardians at Daystar University Main Campus Athi River, from 10:00am to 12:00pm.  Click here to access the Programme for VC’s Welcome Address  to fulltime students and plan to attend.  In the evening of the same day, the VC will address all postgraduate and evening students from 5:30pm.  Click here to download the Programme for VC’s Welcome Address to Evening Students.

The Athi River Campus is located approximately 40 kilometres from Nairobi and 5 kilometres from the Mombasa Road turnoff. If coming from Nairobi and Athi River, take the second left turn after Greenpark Estate immediately after the KENHA bridge.  If coming from Machakos, turn just before the KENHA bridge.  Beware of speeding vehicles from Nairobi before crossing.  A 6-metre directional signage is clearly visible from either direction.  If you have a smartphone, follow this location PIN for direction. In case you need help, please call +254 748 100 759.

The purpose of Orientation Week is to welcome and acquaint new students with their new environment on Campus before classes begin on Monday January 20, 2025. It also helps to make new friends faster and give you an unforgettable freshman experience.

Map showing junction to Daystar University, Athi River Campus

Is Orientation Week necessary?

Yes! In fact, it is mandatory, and a very important part of the Daystar University culture. That said, your full presence and cooperation is required during this week. Please note the following important information:

• All full time Diploma and Undergraduate students will report to Daystar University Main Campus Athi River.

• Students and parents coming from far-flung areas who may arrive a day or so earlier can contact sawuor@daystar.ac.ke and/or hmusera@daystar.ac.ke for guidance on transport and hostels respectively.

• Postgraduate and Evening Undergraduate students will take their Orientation Virtually via Zoom every evening starting at 5:30pm daily. The Meeting ID is 886 8448 7167 and Passcode is DAYSTAR.  

• Each day of the Orientation Week will have specific activities to be accomplished in the programme.  Please avoid missing any session.

• Accommodation: Only students who will have fully paid their semester fees (including hostel charges) by Monday 13th January will be allowed to board on Campus.  Students who will have paid full orientation fee of Ksh 7,500 but not full semester fees will commute during orientation week and have Ksh 2,000 deposited in their student account for class registration.  For details please refer to the Fees Structure that accompanied your admission letter.

• During Orientation Week, transport, boarding and meals will be provided by the University in line with your student status either as a Boarder or a Day Scholar, under the Orientation Fee.

  
  

  Boarders will be required to stay on campus at all times during Orientation Week, while Day Scholars will be required to be on Campus until 5:00pm daily when they board buses to go home.

• Medical Cover: All Full time students will be required to have a medical cover as detailed in the Fees Structure. Students with a separate medical cover will be required to submit a letter from their Insurance or Employer by January 24, 2025 in order to be exempted from paying for medical cover under the University. For more information, contact student.medical@daystar.ac.ke and please note, the University does not accept the general Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) cover under the Social Health Authority (SHA) for the self-employed. However, the Comprehensive SHIF Cover for Civil Servants is acceptable. We shall require a valid SHIF Member Data Summary for such. 

NOTE:

• There will be verification of original certificates by Admissions and Records department on Monday January 13, 2025 for fulltime Diploma and Undergraduate students, and Saturday January 18, 2025 for postgraduate students from 8:00am to 2:00pm.  You are required to bring the following documents for the verification process: original and copies of academic certificate or result slip, school leaving certificate, National ID/Passport or Birth Certificate, admission letter, and 2 colored passport size photos.  Those without passport size photos can take on campus at a minimal fee.

  
  

• Matriculation ceremony: Postgraduate students will matriculate virtually on Monday January 13, 2025, while fulltime Diploma and undergraduate students will attend their Matriculation Ceremony on Wednesday January 15, 2025.  This is a special and important ceremony that involves swearing in and signing of a Consent Form to officially get admitted to Daystar University.  Please plan to attend as scheduled in the Orientation Programme.

• Dress Code: All students are advised to always observe the Daystar University Dress Code as prescribed in the Students’ Handbook. 

• On Saturday January 18, 2025, all new students are required to attend teambuilding and bonding excursion at the Main Campus Athi River. Please bring along comfortable sportswear, including closed-toe sports shoes, water bottle, sunglasses, a hat/cap, as well as any necessary medication e.g., insulin, asthma inhalers etc. The only gadgets allowed on that day are mobile phones. Other gadgets like speakers are prohibited on the playground.

• Weekend activities are planned at the Athi River Campus from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon for ALL Boarders. The Orientation Week will end on Sunday after Chapel Service.   

• Transport for Boarders will be available on Friday afternoon from Nairobi Campus to Athi River.

• Accommodation at Athi River Campus and transport back to Nairobi on Sunday afternoon will be availed.

•  On the evening of Saturday January 18, 2025, Daystar University Students Association (DUSA) shall host a Freshmen Night for new students to showcase their talents. Those interested are required to sign up with Orientation Team leaders to be scheduled for stage performance either individually or in pairs/groups.

• On Sunday January 19, 2025, the Chaplaincy shall host a Chapel service at the Amphitheater to close the Orientation Week.  All new students are required to attend.

Meals, Accommodation & Transport

Meals: Boarders will be provided with all meals for the duration of the Orientation Week, while Dayscholars will be provided with 10:00am Tea and lunch daily. Kindly inform your Orientation Group Team leader about any special meal requirements as early as possible.

Accommodation: To board during Orientation Week, new students are required to pay all fees in full, including orientation fee of Ksh 7,500. Orientation fee for Day scholars is Kes 5,500. This applies to:

• Athi River Campus Dayscholars commuting daily.

• Athi River Campus students living off-campus.

• Nairobi Campus Day students commuting daily

We have limited accommodation on Campus.  Students choosing to board at Athi River Campus will be served on the basis of full fees payment. Our hostels provide beds and mattresses only, and boarding students are required to bring bedsheets, pillowcases, blankets/duvets and personal effects (soaps, detergents, toothbrush/paste, bucket, towels, beddings, and slippers etc). Please note that the Athi River Campus gets quite cold at night and quite warm / hot during the day.  Bring clothing for both weather extremes.  Please note the following:

Transport: For Day Scholars commuting daily to the Athi River Campus, buses will leave the Nairobi Campus at 6:30am and Athi River Campus at 5:00pm daily, unless otherwise communicated.  Those boarding buses along the way are advised to call Samuel in the Transport Department on 0705 618 422.

Why Board? 

• You save time, energy and money on daily commute during orientation week.

• You get the full orientation experience, including evening programmes custom-made with Freshmen in mind.

• You spend quality time meeting new people and bonding with other Freshmen.

• You get to know more about the on-campus student experience in one week. 

Should you feel ‘lost’ or have any questions, contact the Orientation Group Team Leader Sospeter Ndumia +254 702 584 803

We wish you an enjoyable Orientation Week.  Once more, welcome to the Daystar family!

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