Among the 65 graduands, 51 were females and 14 males. Females comprised 78 % of all the graduands, while males comprised only 22%. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Keto Mshigeni, conveyed a special message of congratulations to all graduands for their achievements. Apart from awards of certificates and diplomas, and conferment of degrees to the HKMU graduates, best students were also awarded prizes and certificates by the university Chancellor, Dr. Salin Ahmed Salim. The occasion attracted many dignitaries and academicians from various institutions. These, to mention a few, included retired President H.E. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Vice Chancellors and Principals, representatives from various 4 HKMU Newsletter Volume 3, June 2007 HKMU Fourth Graduation Ceremony universities, hundreds of friends, neighbours, well wishers and the public.

The Vice Chancellor highly commended the visionary Founding Father of the Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, the Late Prof. Hubert Kairuki, for his commitment and dedication towards building the institution. He also thanked his predecessor, Vice Chancellor Emeritus Prof. Esther Mwaikambo, who had contributed tremendously towards the success of the university to date. Speaking on the achievement of the university in terms of students enrolment, the Vice Chancellor pointed out that the number of students enrolled at our university, has significantly increased year after year. For instance, 112 students were enrolled for the academic year 2005/2006, compared with 150 students enrolled for the academic year 2006/2007, as follows:

Among the 150 enrolled students, females were 99 while males were 51. Females were 77% of the enrolled students, while males were just 23%. He also added that both staff and students at HKMU have, all along, adhered to high standards of competitiveness, responsiveness, and professionalism. These elements have generated a very positive image of the institution, and have attracted good students, not only from Tanzania, but also from other regions. Currently among the 405 students enrolled, 85% are Tanzanians, while 15% come from other countries, like Cameroon, Ghana, India, Kenya, USA, Namibia, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, to mention a few. Since its inception, HKMU has shown dynamic growth in terms of student population, course offering, staff complement, and research.

The Vice Chancellor also informed the general public that HKMU has set up a new Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory. The lab is equipped with modern equipment that will enable staff and all interested Tanzanians, to conduct genetic research activities at HKMU, including DNA testing and analysis.

Chancellor Hon. Dr. Salim A. Salim Conferring a Doctor of Medicine Degree to one of the graduands during the Fourth Graduation Ceremony held at Karimjee Grounds. Sn Name of the Course Number of new students enrolled per programme
1. Doctor of Medicine-MD 1 - 88
2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing-BSCN 1 - 19
3. Diploma in Nursing DIP 1 - 34
4. Certificate in Wholistic Therapeutic Counseling - 9

Total 150 Some of the graduands for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree.

HKMU ranks high among few institutions in the country to have such a laboratory. Prof. Mshigeni thanked the Yale University school of Medicine, for their funding support that has enabled the establishment of the laboratory. He also thanked the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for the following;
- Sponsoring students to study at HKMU by offering them grants or loans.

- He specifically, thanked the Tanzania Education Authority for granting HKMU a loan of Tshs. 1.0 billion, which enabled the completion of the Phase One construction of the students’ hostel, which will accommodate 130 students. He urged other National and International Organizations to emulate TEA by supporting private education providers in Tanzania, especially private universities such as HKMU.

- Completion of the construction of the access road (at tarmac level) to the campus, and the University Teaching Hospital (the Mission Mikocheni Hospital).

Despite its relatively young age, HKMU has made and continues to make good progress in its pursuit of academic excellence and provision of service to the community, especially with regard to training human capital in the medical sciences, and engaging in various research activities. Some of the research activities currently being undertaken by HKMU include human genetics research.
This is likely to contribute to enhanced knowledge and know how, that could lead to breakthrough discoveries to meet public health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, Malaria, sickle cell, etc., he emphasized.


The Vice Chancellor also added that the university is planning to undertake collaborative research on the development of health-boosting nutraceuticals based on Africa’s biodiversity. These include immunoresponse boosters that could reduce suffering amongst individuals afflicted by HIV/AIDS. We also plan to undertake collaborative research and development on biota with potential for use as preventive medicine against goitre and related iodine-deficiency-disorders. He thanked the WHO, COSTECH, the Yale University school of Medicine in the USA, and other donors, for funding HKMU’s research activities.

The Vice Chancellor concluded his speech by urging the graduands as follows:..”Be yourself, Think towards generating positive change. Look for the good in people/situations. Be a good listener because “there is more wisdom in listening than in speaking” (African Saying). You have two ears and one mouth; use them in that proportion. Think gross and speak net, Understand insecurities in you and in others. Many people have failed in life, because they had wishbones when they needed backbones. Work smart and work hard!

The Vice Chancellor finished his speech by thanking all the people, the staff, graduands, parents, families, friends and development partners for attending our 4th Graduation Ceremony.

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