Celebrating International Students Day

In recognition of the diversity among the students and staff enrolled at the University of Nairobi, the University sets aside a special day dubbed the University of Nairobi International Students Day. The day is meant to celebrate and appreciate international students from different parts of Africa and the World at large. This year’s International Students Day, held on the 25th of November, was no different as the day was filled with pomp and celebration as both the resident and international students came together at Taifa Hall decorating the stage with culture and diversity from 9 am to 2pm.

The day which was themed “Appreciating the Diversity of Our Cultures”, held its own as International Students arrived adorned in their colorful cultural attires, representing their different cultural backgrounds. Students from Sudan, India, Burundi, Uganda and China and many other communities that make up the UoN fraternity, took to the stage with performances from their respective communities occasionally joined by the University’s Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama.

Notable attendees included the Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Mr. Ogengo, The Dean of Students Mr. Johnson Kinyua, UNSA President Melvin Thogo and International Student Representative Monica Marith. The various speakers recognized the University’s efforts in integrating International Students in various activities with UNSA President Melvin Thogo citing the increase international Students in UNSA leadership positions including the UNSA Vice-President and many other student leaders. The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama emphasized the need to appreciate the diversity among both students and staff at the University citing the importance of students exploring different cultures and school environments far from home as extremely exciting and scary in equal measure, but nonetheless importnat and is therefore the role of the institution to make sure that the students transition into this new life is assisted. He relates his own experience interacting with new cultures in foreign places and how lonely of an experience it can be. He proposes the organization of induction programs for International Students so that they can be taught of the dos and don’t’s and the places to access essential services at the University.