VICE-CHANCELLOR'S ADDRESS TO FIRST YEARS, 2025

As part of the ongoing First-Year Orientation Programme, University management officially welcomed the incoming cohort, offering words of wisdom on academics, responsibility, and student life.

DVC, Finance and Administration, Professor James Nampushi, urged students to ensure timely payment of school fees and officially welcomed them to the university community.

DVC Academics and Student Affairs Professor Bulitia Godrick, emphasized the importance of using the correct payment channels, exercising vigilance within the university environment, and preparing for the start of classes on Monday. He also reminded students that interfaculty transfer applications would open in the afternoon, provided students meet the required qualifications, and would run for two weeks from today.

In her keynote address, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Peninah Aloo-Obudho, warmly welcomed all first-year students, congratulating them on their outstanding KCSE performance. She reminded them that joining Maasai Mara University marks the beginning of a transformative journey to becoming leaders and contributors to society.

She quoted the book of Jeremiah, chapter one: “I knew you before you were born” relating it to the students by affirming that God had destined them to be part of Maasai Mara University even before they applied. Prof. Aloo-Obudho highlighted key areas that will shape their success.

While the University offers freedom, it requires discipline and accountability. Students were urged to use their freedom wisely to avoid regrets. She urged students to remain mindful of their safety both within and outside campus, with a special caution against venturing near River Narok, which has historically claimed the lives of students.

“Time is a precious commodity, you should never wait,. Plan effectively, balance academics with leisure, and always prioritize studies, said the V.C. She advised students to choose friends wisely, noting that “iron sharpens iron” and that the quality of one’s friends often shapes their future and not the quantity.

Students were encouraged to manage their HELB upkeep funds responsibly by budgeting within their means and avoiding unnecessary expenses. Prof. Aloo-Obudho urged students to seek medical care at the university clinic when un-well, to access counseling services without fear, and to prioritize both physical and mental health. She advised students to approach relationships carefully, the girls to avoid unwanted pregnancies, and protect themselves from emerging health risks such as STIs.

She reminded students that they are not at the university by chance but by divine calling, urging them to acknowledge God in all their endeavors, as “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the unique opportunities available at Maasai Mara University, including its strategic location near the world-renowned Maasai Mara Game Reserve and its distinctive “5Ms”: the Maasai Mara Reserve, Mau Forest, Maa Culture, Mara river ecosystem and Maombi kwa Wote (prayer for all). She noted that the university is one of the few piloted as an Entrepreneurial University, preparing graduates to become job creators rather than job seekers.

She further encouraged students to embrace new opportunities, such as foreign language courses (French, German, Chinese, and Korean) that will enhance their global competitiveness, and to participate in clubs and co-curricular activities to nurture their talents and not only focus on academics.

In her closing, Prof. Aloo-Obudho encouraged students to remain confident, courageous, and compassionate, reminding them that attitude will determine their altitude. She concluded with a heartfelt appeal: “Make your stay at Maasai Mara University memorable by doing the right things at the right time, with the right people, and in the right places. If you use your time wisely, balance academics with other opportunities, and embrace discipline, the sky will not be the limit for you.”