Ms. Njagi, Lecturer School of Business and Economics, interacts with a student during post graduate students meeting with the VC

[Athi River, 25th May, 2024] About 400 postgraduate students in the Master’s and PhD programs gathered at Daystar University Main Campus Athi River, for a meeting convened by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Laban P. Ayiro, through the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, headed by Dr. Dinah Keino, the Director.

Present also to host the postgraduate students was the DVC- Academic, Research and Student Affairs, Prof. Faith Nguru, DVC- Finance Administration and Planning, Prof. Muturi Wachira, Director Graduate Studies, Dr. Dinah Keino, members of the Management Board, Senate, and Faculty.

The day began at 6:30am with breakfast, followed by School-based meetings at the Agape Library and the School of Law Moot Court. At 11:00am, the postgraduate students gathered at the Amphitheatre, where discussions at School level were presented, highlighting both delights and challenges faced by postgraduate students.  

The Vice Chancellor reiterated the University’s commitment to support postraduate students to complete their programs within the stipulated time. He explained that his commitment is made out of love for his students.

“We are a private university with a public mission. We take care of over 500 students in scholarships, including Government-sponsored students,” said the Vice Chancellor, further explaining that the University aspires to transform its students and give them a competitive edge in the 21st century.

Program representatives and Management display postgraduate manual, shortly after it's launch

The Vice Chancellor also urged Graduate students to submit themselves to their supervisors saying that good relationships between a supervisor and a supervisee is key. “Internally, we have committed to support you, but unless you encourage us, we will not achieve the numbers we desire [to graduate],” he said.

The VC also called on the students to exercise integrity, saying that Daystar University is driven by intellect but anchored on Christian values.

Echoing the Vice Chancellor, the University Chaplain, Rev. J. Miano Weche encouraged the students to exercise dignity, honesty and integrity in their research work. “Don’t put your name on a document you have not contributed to, aim for greater integrity,” he intimated.

On the same note, the DVC ARSA, Prof. Faith Nguru encouraged the students to produce quality work in research, saying that this will help them in their scholarship journey.

Responding to presentations from students’ brainstorming sessions, the DVC ARSA promised that the University will keenly follow up on the issues that were raised by the students, among them, inclusion of panel discussions in learning, inviting experts in different fields to share knowledge, and sharing of course evaluation reports to know the overall feedback on students’  satisfaction.

On his part, the Director of Academic Affairs, Prof. Samuel Muriithi underscored the importance of good supervision, research funding, infrastructure, networking opportunities and student commitment.

From the School meetings, here are some of the comments by the students:

“We appreciate the role of PhD Communication Coordinator, Dr. Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who has been very helpful in our academic journey. We feel supported from all sides.” Masaki Magaki – PhD Communication.

“Daystar has done a good job in opening our minds and exposing us globally. Supervisors are willing to help us but we must push ourselves to be teachable” Josephine Kinyanzu, PhD Communication.

“Lecturers in Daystar University really teach,” Caleb Kedagor, PhD, Development Studies.

"We commit ourselves as students to work hard in our studies and to be good ambassadors of Daystar University," CPA Francis Mutinda, MBA program.

During the meeting, the Vice Chancellor launched the Graduate Students’ Handbook to guide postgraduate students as they carry out their research work.

The meeting culminated with a sumptuous lunch catered by Daystar Enterprise Limited, courtesy of the Vice Chancellor.