[Thursday, September 19, 2024] The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Laban Ayiro, delivered a keynote address on integrity, ethics and leadership at a collaborative webinar involving Daystar University, Management University of Africa, and sponsored by Education Collaborative. The Webinar attracted close to two hundred participants from different countries across the world.

Prof. Ayiro underscored the importance of integrity and ethics in a university, observing that ethical practices in teaching fosters a fair learning environment, enhances academic credibility and fosters responsible citizenship.

“As academics we are the standard bearers; we must create a culture where there is fairness and social justice,” said the VC, adding that his ambition is to ensure that Daystar University serves as a model for inclusivity.

The VC singled out integrity and ethics as the cornerstone of a university’s mission to offer quality education and reliable research. “Integrity and ethics underpin academic credibility of a university” he said, adding that adhering to ethical standards attracts trust, which is the foundation of human endeavour.

Prof. Ayiro highlighted challenges that hinder social justice in institutions of higher learning, including academic dishonesty and cheating in exams, plagiarism, falsifying data, publishing and funding biases, nepotism and corruption, and lack of ethical leadership among others.

“I urge for ethical leadership and role models. Can some of us sacrifice and be role models?” he posed, further advising institutional leaders to promote academic integrity among students in their academic journey.

Prof. Ayiro went on to say that faculty should serve as role models to students, and establishing clear guidelines for research. The VC also called for transparency in faculty recruitment, student admission, scholarship and bursary allocation, and university governance.

“University is the apex that every country looks upon. We can only sanctify the goodness of a university as an example of how things should be done, if we uphold ethical behaviour and integrity at all times,” he said.

In the planning committee, Daystar University was represented by the Principal Nairobi Campus, Prof. Michael Bowen, while MUA was represented by the Dean, School of Management and Leadership, Dr. Juster Nyaga.

Dr.  Nyaga appreciated the partnership between Daystar University and MUA in planning the webinar. She also expressed her gratitude to Prof. Ayiro for accepting to share his expertise with participants.