By: Munywoki Kyalo

This workshop was held on 30/1/15. It was organized by Quality Assurance department on effective examinations and course outlines preparations. The main facilitators

were The VC-Prof. Kuria Thuo, Quality Assurance Coordinator- Munywoki Kyalo, ODL Coordinator- John Gitau, Head of School of Education & Social Sciences- Maina Komu and Fridah Kathure-

School of Business.

GRETSA VIBES

By: Carol Chuma

The university held its fifth graduation ceremony on Wednesday 17th December 2014 at the graduation court. It was a colourful event that was graced over by The Chancellor

Dr. Kibathi Mbugua. Other notable guests were Dr. Margaret Kibathi (BOT Chairperson) and Prof. Kibera (Chairman Governing Council and member of BOT). Over 1100 graduands were conferred with various degrees, diplomas and certificates.Guest speakers during the ceremony included: Alumni Coordinator,

Outgoing GUSA President and best performing graduand.In his speech, The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Thuo Kuria congratulated graduands for their hard work and urged them to continue exercising positive virtues to achieve their goals in life. He further asked those already in the working world and the ones joining job market to seek to make difference in whatever they engage in. In his concluding remark, he opined to the graduands to consider investing in further education instead of being contended with what they have achieved.

Staff Quality Assurance Workshop

Gretsa Holds Fifth Graduation Ceremony

ODL Students’ Orientation Day

A Magazine of Gretsa University - Thika

Issue 1, April 2015

By: John Gitau

Distance Learning students orientation took place on 23/01/15 in the Plenary Hall of Music & Arts Theatre. This event takes place at the beginning of every semester to

orient new students who pursue their studies through distant learning.

Staff Quality Assurance Workshop………………………….............1

ODL Student Orientation……….................................................1

Gretsa Holds Fifth Graduation Ceremony…………....................1

University Speaking Show.....................……………………….........2

Food Fare Challange and Leavers Party…………………………......2

Gretsa University Sports Gala................................................2

Quick Knowledge...................................................................3

Students Community Engagement........................................3

Mr. and Miss Gretsa 2015 Gala Nite………………....................3

K24 Live Switch Gospel Show………………………........................3

Students’ Corner…………………………………….............................3 - 4

Content

THE

“The Gretsa University Chancellor, Board of Trustees and Council Members, Management and Academic

Staff after attending the 5th Graduation Ceremony held on Wednesday 17th December 2014.

By: Faith Kamau

Our institutions of higher learning are considered as spheres of excellence. The challenges that seem to engulf the nation of Kenya can easily be handled by engaging our institutions

of learning proactively in the search for tangible solutions.University Speaking is a platform that seeks to provide an opportunity where ideas and solutions can be presented and analyzed, ready for execution. The show envisions an era when university graduates will stand out as credible and solution-minded citizens, with the country at heart. The notion of ‘half-baked graduates’ is only an illusion that the show seeks to disapprove. The event took center stage on Friday 31st October, 2014 at the

Gretsa University Music & Arts Theatre. It was adjudicated by three judges among them Johnson Mwakazi of Citizen TV. The audition attracted 20 Gretsa University student contenders which comprised of 12 male and 8 female students. The students were required to prepare a relevant, practical solution based 5 minute speech.Vicky Kisilu, a student from the School of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences managed to clinch the top position making her Gretsa University representative, Thika at the Academy Division. In her acceptance speech Vicky emphasized the need to provide quality education relevant to the individual and society as envisioned in the University’s Vision statement.‘What begins here, transforms the world’

By: Peter Irungu

Gretsa University School of Hospitality and Tourism organized inaugural Food Fare Challenge on 14/11/2014 at the University’s cafeteria. The theme of that day was ‘Enhancing

creativity in Food Production,’ which aimed at trainees embracing skills required in hospitality industry.Participants were drawn from Gretsa University, Nairobi Institute of Business Studies (Ruiru Campus), Serengeti, Excel, Ruwenzori’ Hemland and Amboseli Institutes, with five students representing each college in the contest. Each institution sent a maximum of ten

non-participating students to accompany the participants during the day.Nairobi Institute of Business Studies (Ruiru) emerged winners, Amboseli College runners up while Gretsa University took third position.At the same time a Leaver’s party was held for those students who graduated on 17/12/2014. This party is held every end of the year for the graduating students to have last chance of interacting with the lecturers and continuing students. It is also a good opportunity for the ODL students to interact with full time ones.

By: Stella Marete

Gretsa University held its annual sports competition on 27/6/14. This is a second semester calendar event that brings together neighboring colleges and Institutions that

collaborates with Gretsa University to show talent and student interaction.The participating teams were drawn from Ludepe College (Gretsa University collaborating institution from Narok), Amboseli Institute, Jordan College, Thika Institute of Business Studies, Red

Cross, Thika College of Science and Technology and JKUAT. They participated in Football, Basketball, Volleyball and Swimming.Overall winner was Amboseli College. Other winners included; Men football-Amboseli, Men basketball-Gretsa University, Men volleyball-Amboseli, Women volleyball-Gretsa UniversityThere were personal trophies in swimming where Amboseli took one and Greta University the rest.

Food Fare Challenge and Leaver’s Party

Gretsa University Sports Gala

University Speaking Show

Hospitality Students During Annual Food Fare Challenge 2014 BOT Chairperson (Centre) and students pose for a photoduring the end of year “bash”

Johnson Mwakazi of Citizen TV facilitates Public speaking Auditions

Vicky Kisilu, Winner of Public Speaking Auditions

BY: Antony Mbogo(Student)

Leadership is the process of social influence in which a person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task.

The most current crop of leaders are portraying pictures that leave common citizen wondering if he/she elected leaders to show them drama rather than tackling their issues at grassroots level.

The choice and preference has a consequence, fifty or hundred shillings can’t terminate impoverished society since during the campaign period most citizens are interested in is money but my question is: Can a sold vote change a vulnerable society? We must become the change we wish to see in the world.

The problem is not the leaders, the problem is us. Let us ensure that everything we do, democracy will always prevail and ensure that the leaders we elevate in our society are seeing the possibilities in a situation while others are see limitations.

History repeats itself for failures to learn from it, the challenges we are facing today are some of the challenges we faced with the leaders who we are with now and the question is when will we discover effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked ;leadership is defined by results not attributes?

Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress and working together is success .Lets join our hands together to have an inevitable road towards democracy since viganja vya mkono huoshana na wapiganapo tembo wawili ziumiazo ni nyasi.

By: Antony Mbogo and Vicky Kisilu(Students)

Transformation is the change of somebody character /behavior or something from one stage to next. The day I was born is when the transformation began since the climate changed

from that of my mother’s womb.

As we say that our lives is in the palm of the Lord and is the one who knows much about us, we do greatly contribute to the attitude of our life of which is determined by our attitude.

To be born in an impoverished/wealthy family is not by choice but to die as a poor/richer person is by choice. The late Nelson Mandela

STUDENTS’ CORNER

Leadership

Transformation

Students’ Community Engagements• Muslim students donated dates during the month of Ramadhan last year.• The University received a new bus from BOT towards the end of last year.

Quick Knowledge• The University Installed high capacity fibre optic internet connection• Gretsa University established a state of art Health Sciences Laboratory• Gretsa University students participated in Kenya University Sports Association Nairobi Zone Games

By: Faith KamauThe University held its first evangelical show on Sunday 22nd March 2015 that was driven by gospel music and interaction with Gretsa University community. It started at 10.00 am. The event was broadcasted live by K24 TV.

K24 TV Live Switch Gospel Show

By: Faith Kamau & Stella MareteThis event was organized by GUSA on 10/3/15. This was an entertainment event featuring leading DJ and Artists Meja and Grandhauz. It was an evening till dawn occasion incorporating dancing competition, body building showcase and Mr. and Miss Gretsa Beauty Pageant. The winners were Mohammed Bade (Mr. Gretsa 2015) and Grace Muthike (Miss Gretsa 2015).

Mr. and Miss. Gretsa 2015 Gala Nite

When I think about it, It flows in my mind like water in the streams,it comes full to the brimand that’s the reason am growing slim. My best friend made you his acquaintanceMay be it was to make me jealousIt never did, nor did it heed or creednot bore seed neither the fruit. I suffer in silence from the blow of traumawhen I remember, those beautiful days I had.

Will you ever answer? silence is golden they saybut talks and negotiations make a waywords without actions are deaddead like the river bed.

The love I have for you not representing from a fewwhen the grass has dew so, full till midnightcan make you mad I rather suffer in silence things to move from bad to worse. By: Chereste Wahome Kariuki.(Student)

Betrayal

BOT Chairperson (Centre) and students pose for a photoduring the end of year “bash”

2014 Sports Gala CompetitionGretsa University Football Team Crowning of Mr & Miss GRETSA 2015

EditorGabriel Omukuba W.

Editorial BoardFridah KathureJohn GitauPeter IrunguCaroline Chuma

PhotographyFrancis Mwaura

StaffFaith Kamau- Admission OfficeStella Marete- Assistant Dean of StudentsCaroline Chuma- Academic RegistryPeter Irungu- School of HospitalityJohn Gitau- ODL CoordinatorKyalo Munywoki- Quality Assurance CoordinatorGUSA FraternityProf. Kuria Thuo- Vice Chancellor

StudentsChereste Wahome KariukiAntony MbogoVicky Kisilu

Editorial Team Contributors

once said ,’’A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination but when you add to that a literate tongue or pen then you have something very special”. Once introduced to the world of education, real transformation begin since the teachers want to produce the best for the dynamic world by ensuring those who come out of their hands have surpassed their knowledge. Education has often been seen as a fundamentally optimistic human endeavor characterized by aspirations for progress and betterment.

Though various inspirational, motivational and visionary leaders are trying in one way or another to transform others lives and since no success without a successor, many have channeled their lives in a hopeless direction. Ecclesiastes 7:29 says, God made us plain but we have made ourselves complicated.

Rarely does second golden opportunity come often but I do believe all lost in sorts of the villainous act can be uplifted because Hopes knows no fear. Hopes dares to blossom even inside the abysmal abyss. Hopes secretly feeds and strengthens promise.

Let’s all unite our efforts to change those who have accidentally fallen while climbing the ladder of life to turn their shame to fame,

nothing to something, nowhere to somewhere, pain to gain and their labor to favor. Since when the world says,’ give up ‘hopes whisper, ‘Try it one more time.”

I do not know anyone who has gotten to the top without hard work. That is recipe. It will not always get to the top, but it will get you pretty near. The upcoming generation is supposed to be shown the true meaning of hard work without forgetting that humility is the best virtue to go far.

No magic for success only focus and hard work and to always believe that we were born for a purpose, designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, crafted for excellence and endowed with a seed for greatness. If the upcoming generation wants to achieve some really big and interesting goal, they have to learn to fall in love with hard work.

In conclusion let us always be grateful for every year we live and put God first in everything and try to touch the lives of many in the society since goodness is the only investment that pays and the best way to serve others is to lose yourself in them.

By Vicky Kisilu (Student)

Empowering women aims to inspire them with courage to break free from the chains of limiting belief patterns and societal or religious conditioning that have traditionally kept women

suppressed and unable to see their true beauty and power.

Women hold the key to a future free from hunger and poverty. By supporting women’s education and training them as business leaders, equipping them to become better farmers and great people in the society.

We can help them become business leaders evidence is 90% of their income back into their households compared to the 40% for men. Due to this giving a woman needs the knowledge and skills to run successful farms and businesses in an efficient way to strengthen poor families.

We can help them and the daughters get on education. Did you

know that 75 million children denied education around the world are girls? Yet studies show that educated women have healthier children, who are more likely to live longer and attend schools themselves. Educate a woman and there you take the first step towards beating poverty and hunger.

Women need to be given their rights, gone are the days culture used to deny them opportunities and their rights. We need to empower the women, the girl child for a brighter and better future since within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.

The things women have to learn are nobody gives you the power. You just take it. We need a woman to have development we need for great vision and whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily this is not difficult. If you empower a woman you have empowered a family and a whole nation.

Women Empowerment