Kabarak University in a momentous event that brought together a distinguished array of guests, celebrated the inauguration of the UNESCO Chair on Culture and Arts in Education for Sustainable Development. The ceremony, graced by the acting secretary general of Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, Dr. James Njogu, and Nakuru Deputy Governor Hon. David Kones amonst other key guests from UNESCO and other universities nation-wide, marked a significant milestone for both the university and the broader community.
The Kabarak University Chancellor, Dr. Gideon Moi, expressed his enthusiasm for the UNESCO Chair, emphasizing the universal language of creativity and expression that culture and arts provide. In a speech read by the Chair of Council, Dr. John Kibosia, Dr. Gideon Moi highlighted the pivotal role of culture and the arts in shaping societies and fostering tolerance, understanding, and empathy. The establishment of the UNESCO Chair at Kabarak University, according to Dr. Moi, reaffirms the institution's commitment to promoting cultural diversity and enriching the learning experience for students.
Prof. Henry Kiplangat, the Vice Chancellor of Kabarak University, provided insight into the UNESCO Chair's significance within the broader framework of the UNESCO University Twinning and Networking Program. He outlined the purpose of the Chair, which is to serve as a hub for research, documentation, and training activities in the field of Culture and Arts in Education in Kenya and the Eastern Africa region.
Highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage, Prof. Kiplangat emphasized the danger of losing objects of historical and cultural significance. He underscored the UNESCO Chair's role in providing a pivotal platform for educators, practitioners, and researchers to engage in scholarly discourse and pedagogical activities related to Culture and Arts in Education for Sustainable Development.
The Vice Chancellor aligned the UNESCO Chair program with UNESCO's international appeal for the promotion of arts education and creativity in educational institutions. He stressed the Chair's commitment to improving access to quality education on sustainable development, with a focus on transforming society through reorienting cultural and arts education.
The inauguration of the UNESCO Chair at Kabarak University was hailed as a great milestone not only for the institution but also for Africa and beyond. Prof. Kiplangat expressed the commitment and unwavering support of Kabarak University in collaboration with partners and institutions to make the UNESCO Chair a beacon of knowledge, creativity, and cultural understanding.
Prof. Kiplangat congratulated Prof. Joel Kipkemboi Kiboss, the newly minted Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair in Culture and Arts at Kabarak University. He extended sincere gratitude to key individuals, including Hon. Audrey Azoulay, Dr. Evangeline Njoka, and Ms. Nancy Njeri Mbugua, whose significant roles contributed to the realization of this momentous achievement.
