Mohalenyane Phakela
THE National University of Lesotho (NUL) yesterday conferred degrees, diplomas and certificates to 2 110 graduands during a colourful ceremony held at Machabeng stadium in Roma.
The graduation ceremony, which was the 40th in the organisation’s 70-year history, was held amid pomp and fanfare and characterised by song and dance.
Among the dignitaries in attendance was NUL Chancellor, King Letsie III, Court of Appeal President Kananelo Mosito, Health Minister ‘Molotsi Monyamane, Law and Constitutional Affairs Minister Motlalentoa Letsosa and Education Deputy Minister Thabang Kholumo. The ceremony was also graced by diplomats who included United States Ambassador Mathew Harrington and his European Union counterpart, Michael Doyle.
Of the 2 110 graduands, 90 were from the faculty of science and technology, 401 from the faculty of social sciences, 74 from agriculture, and 758 from education including eight with master’s degrees, 55 from law, 68 from health sciences and 159 from the humanities.
The university also honoured 84 graduands for their outstanding performance with the awards sponsored by various corporates and individuals including Africa Media holdings, publishers of the Lesotho Times and Sunday Express newspapers.
In his address, King Letsie III, urged the graduates to take the uncertainty and anxiety that comes with graduation in their stride.
“For the graduands who already have jobs lined up, congratulations – you will have a wonderful start in life,” said His Majesty.
“But for those of you who may still be wondering what you will do next amid pressure to find something quickly by parents and friends wondering what you plan to do with your life, just remember that we all find success at our own pace, at the right time.
“Just remain focused on your goals, stay positive and continue to be inspired by your own dreams. I urge you to take any opportunity to work and gain experience or create your own jobs.”
King Letsie III implored the graduands to commit themselves to public service for the benefit of society.
“Whether it is working to protect our environment or advocating for a just and equitable criminal justice system, I am always optimistic when I look at another graduating class and see young men and women like you who will work to make Lesotho a better country and the world a better place to live on,” he said.
Vice Chancellor Nqosa Mahao echoed similar sentiments, urging the graduates not to be daunted by the high unemployment rate in the country, but to be creative in applying the knowledge they had acquired.
“Although today marks the end of a journey, it also marks the beginning of another so as you close the old chapter be prepared to open a new one,” said Professor Mahao.
“You may know how to develop a business plan, concoct a pharmaceutical drug or improve on a curriculum for primary school pupils, but what will make the difference will be how that knowledge is applied.”
He said while being a NUL graduate was no longer a ticket into the civil service, as was the case 30 years ago, the graduands needed to be innovative to survive in a tough environment.
“While I know that the reality is that our local industry will not have the capacity to absorb all of these graduands, I am also confident that among them we have entrepreneurs who will go on to accomplish greatness adversities notwithstanding,” Professor Mahao said.
“I am gratified by the hard efforts of the faculties aimed at ensuring that ensuring that entrepreneurial skills are part and parcel of the training outcomes, regardless of the discipline a student will choose.
“I applaud these endevours, for we must aim to produce a graduate who is a critical and independent thinker; a conscientious citizen; and an enterprising and autonomous individual not only able to seize opportunities with his or her bare hands, but above all, able to create opportunities for himself or herself and her fellow men and women in society.”
The vice-chancellor added that they would soon initiate programmes to improve the university’s infrastructure.
He said: “We are also exploring the possibility of venturing into public-private partnerships to improve our infrastructure so that this institution can compete on the international stage, and attract the best teaching roles and students.”
On behalf of the graduands, Lefu Thaele said they were raring to face the challenges that await them.
“Graduation is the end of a chapter and the beginning of another. We must get ready to embark on the next step which has challenges of its own as there are external forces out there we must be prepared to fight,” said Mr Thaele.
“The university has equipped us with the skills and the most important thing to anyone graduating this year is to become an entrepreneur. This is because the true definition of entrepreneurship has to do with the pursuit of opportunity, as opposed to a simple business.
“The world is run by those who show up and not those who want to be asked to do something, we must take the pledge of self-empowerment, self-employment, pursue opportunities and be prepared to be job creators.”