CUEA’s Vice-Chancellor Challenges Graduates to Embrace Creativity, Digital Skills and Courage
By Stephen Mbobu
CUEA’s Vice-Chancellor, Very Rev. Prof. Elias Omondi Opongo, SJ, has challenged graduands to look beyond their academic qualifications and embrace creativity, adaptability, digital skills and ethical leadership to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Addressing the University’s 2026 graduating class, Prof. Opongo said a degree should serve as a foundation for lifelong learning, innovation and problem-solving rather than limit graduates to careers directly related to their academic disciplines.
“Your success in life will be determined not only by your academic performance or the degree you receive today, but increasingly by your agility, creativity, adaptability and digital relevance,” he said.
He urged graduates to move beyond seeking employment and instead identify opportunities to create jobs, develop innovative solutions and address challenges facing their communities.
“Do not become only job seekers. Become job creators, innovators and problem-solvers,” he said, encouraging them to ask what problems they could solve and what opportunities they could create.
Graduates Urged to Adapt to a Changing World
Drawing lessons from the African fish eagle, Prof. Opongo encouraged graduates to develop a clear vision, maintain focus and rise above personal and professional challenges.
He acknowledged that some graduates would face unemployment, financial difficulties and rejection as they entered the job market, but urged them not to allow these setbacks to determine their future.
He also cautioned against digital distractions, reminding graduates that social media visibility should not be mistaken for meaningful achievement.
The Vice-Chancellor identified agility, creativity and digital relevance as essential competencies for the future workforce. He encouraged graduates to embrace emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, while maintaining independent thinking and sound judgment.
“Do not allow artificial intelligence to replace your capacity to think. Use it to strengthen your creativity, critical judgment and problem-solving abilities,” he said.
He emphasised that technological advancement must remain grounded in human dignity, integrity and ethical responsibility, in keeping with CUEA’s Catholic identity and motto, Consecrate them in the Truth.
CUEA Sets Ambitious Transformation Agenda
Prof. Opongo outlined an institutional vision aimed at moving CUEA from stabilisation to transformation and ultimately sustainable growth.
The strategy seeks to strengthen accountability, improve academic standards, expand student enrolment, increase research output, promote innovation and deepen regional partnerships.
He identified six strategic pillars guiding the University's development: collegiality and unity; academic excellence and wealth creation; Catholic identity and human flourishing; responsibility, accountability and stewardship; research, innovation and regional impact; and creative fidelity, leadership and courage for change.
He said the pillars would guide efforts to position CUEA as an academically excellent, innovative, accountable and regionally influential institution.
The Vice-Chancellor also announced that the University Council had approved three new centres to support the implementation of the strategy.
The Centre for Learning, Outreach and Formation will focus on continuing education, professional development and leadership formation, while the CUEA Centre for Research, Innovation and Integral Human Development will strengthen interdisciplinary research, publications, grant development and knowledge production.
The Centre for Innovation, Enterprise and Future Skills will promote entrepreneurship, digital competencies and emerging technologies, helping students and graduates turn creative ideas into viable enterprises and social innovations.