KCA University main gate /FILE
KCA University has unveiled a Korean Language Centre, marking a major milestone in the institution's expanding international academic partnerships.
The centre is designed to equip students with Korean language proficiency, opening doors to scholarships, student exchange programmes and employment opportunities in South Korea and beyond.
Its launch adds a new international dimension to the university's two-decade journey as a leading institution offering doctoral, postgraduate and undergraduate programmes in business, technology and related fields.
The launch of the centre was presided over by South Korean Ambassador to Kenya Kang Hyung-shik on Friday, July 3, during the university's 20th graduation ceremony at its main campus in Ruaraka, Nairobi.
Expected to grow into a hub for cultural exchange and academic collaboration, the facility positions KCA University among the early pioneers of Korean language training in the region, at a time when South Korea's global influence in technology, manufacturing and popular culture continues to attract growing interest among Kenyan youth.
"The establishment of the Korean Language Centre at KCA University is a key step toward strengthening diplomatic ties between Kenya and the Republic of Korea. This initiative will help expand opportunities for Kenyan students in the global market," Ambassador Hyung-shik said.
During the graduation ceremony, more than 2,900 graduands received master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, diplomas and professional certificates, reflecting the university's broad academic portfolio.
Outstanding students were also recognised for excellence in scholarship, leadership and creativity across various faculties.
Vice chancellor Prof Isaiah Wakindiki congratulated the graduates and urged them to embrace integrity, innovation and entrepreneurship as they navigate an increasingly competitive job market.
The first biannual graduation ceremony, themed Learn! Lead! Transform!, framed graduation not as the end of an academic journey but as the beginning of leadership, enterprise and lifelong transformation.
The message resonated against the backdrop of persistent youth unemployment in Kenya and across the continent.
"Education is not only for employment; it equips individuals with skills and empowers students not only to seek employment but also to create opportunities for others," he said.
Chancellor Martin Oduor-Otieno described the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on the university's growth and contribution to Kenya's higher education sector over the past two decades.
He said the institution's longevity reflects its enduring contribution to the country's education landscape.
"We take pride in acknowledging the immense growth this institution has had over the years. When you mark 20 years, that remains a milestone in the history of this university," he said.
Founded in 1989, KCA University has evolved from a specialised accountancy college into a multidisciplinary institution whose graduates now serve in business, technology, media, the arts and the public sector.
The graduation ceremony was attended by university leadership, members of the diplomatic corps, industry leaders, alumni, parents and students.
The university urged the graduating class to uphold its values and apply their knowledge and skills in service of their communities and the broader economy, both in Kenya and internationally.
