“A great milestone”, “produces the very best”: Students of Newly Chartered Catholic University in Kenya

On his part, Jeremiah Lei, the current Mr. TU, told ACI Africa that the Charter was being granted “so that we can stand on our own; it’s freedom for Tangaza University.”

“I am very happy to an extent that I cannot explain it. From the time we were told that this day is coming and now that the day is here, I am very much glad,” Jeremiah said.

Jeremiah Lei, the current Mr. Tangaza University. Credit: ACI Africa

TU, the third-year student of Counselling psychology went on to say, “has transformed me and I am ready to face life out there.”

“TU produces the very best, and it is very inclusive because I am visually impaired and at the same time, I came out victoriously as Mr. Tangaza University,” he said.

“I would encourage visually impaired people to join this institution because it is accommodative,” Jeremiah said about TU that is jointly owned by some 22 Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL).

Credit: ACI Africa

In another interview with ACI Africa, the president-elect of the TU Students Association (TUSA) described the granting of the Charter as “a great achievement” for the university has been a Constituent College of the Kenya-based Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) since 1992.

“There is beauty in calling an institution a university. As a student who has witnessed this day, I can say it’s a great achievement,” Alphas Adoyo said, acknowledging the many years of waiting for the Charter.

Alphas added, “Being independent means that all the programs, courses, and even graduations will take place right inside the institution.”

Alphas Adoyo, the President-elect of the Tangaza University Students Association (TUSA). Credit: ACI Africa

“As students, we have been introducing ourselves as a Constituent College, and from today, we shall be introducing ourselves as university students,” said the third-year student pursuing a bachelor's Degree in English Literature.

Referring to the educational philosophy of TU, “Teaching Minds, Touching Hearts, Transforming Lives”, the president-elect of TUSA continued, “As a student from the school of education, I have given my full attention to these three words that I believe will help me to fit in the society, to fit in my workplace, and to be a better person even after living in this institution.”

Some of the TU students, who spoke to ACI Africa on the sidelines of the Charter event at the Karen campus on May 2 weighed in on Bishop George Muthaka’s homily.

Bishop Muthaka had called upon the leadership and faculty of the newly Chartered TU to “be serious in the business of forming leaders at a time when many people ape others as “followers” and find fulfilment in social media posts and their related likes and following.

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Bishop George Muthaka. Credit:ACI Africa

“Leadership starts from within and on how you vet yourself, how you make your own decisions. Leadership comes from a person who can then influence other people,” Teresa, Miss TU said.

The third-year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in leadership and management added, “This institution has empowered me as an upcoming leader and the skills that we are being taught are very applicable out there.”

On her part, Lilian Sision Kibonyi from TU’s Institute of Social Communication (ISC), who was elected Vice President of TUSA reflected on Bishop Muthaka’s homily in the light of her new responsibility at TU.

“The position I am holding right now will enable me to sharpen my leadership skills,” Lilian said, and added, “My leadership aspirations will not just end here at the university as I am ambitious to enter leadership positions even at the national level after graduating.”

Lilian Sision Kibonyi, the TUSA Vice President. Credit: ACI Africa

The first year ISC student further said, “I believe that this university will instil in me skills that will enable me to navigate the political spectrum out there.”

“Women should understand that vying for leadership positions comes from inner drive, from within an individual. I am confident that I will become a great leader and that is what is driving me,” Lilian told ACI Africa on May 2.

Credit: Institute of Social Communication - Tangaza University

The May 2 granting of the Charter was a culmination of the process that started way back in 2013 following the change in the regulations around the governance of universities and constituent colleges as stipulated in Kenya’s University Act, 2012.  

With faculty and students from well over 40 countries and more than 100 ICLSAL, TU is a culturally diverse institution that was blessed and formally inaugurated on 30 October 1987 by the Servant of God Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga, then Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi.