Importance of Education
The Role of Education in Nation Building – a Canadian Perspective Address to Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology 11/03/10 Kakamega, Western Province Kenya
“There is no higher calling than to be a part of something greater than oneself”
Good morning…jambo sana Executive officers of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, University Faculty Members, Students, Friends and Colleagues It is a rare privilege for me to be with you today at Musinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. Since 1972 it has been a source of inspiration, a leading light for studies in higher learning. I was very pleased in 2007 to hear that MMUST had received full status as a university in its own right. I commend you for your new program initiatives, research and development projects. I was especially pleased to hear of the success of the recent Health Care Conference on the role of International Collaboration in reducing Maternal-Child Mortality. Today I have the privilege of talking about one of my favourite topics, Canada. I first arrived as a young immigrant from Denmark. In those days people were coming from all over the world, from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, seeking a better life. Canada was growing and developing as a nation. People brought with them their culture, traditions and values. It was not just about them, it was about a new land, a new life and new found freedom. There was this amazing sense that together we could build a nation. Like most countries Canada came into being at the stroke of a pen. On July 1, 1867 Canada became a self-governing political entity; however, it was far from being a nation. A nation takes time to build, to grow and mature. A country is bound by the fortunes of its history and geography. A nation on the other hand is a living evolving entity that reflects the ideals and dreams of its people and the reality of living together. What makes a country a nation? As I reflect on the Canadian experience
“There is no higher calling than to be a part of something greater than oneself”
Good morning…jambo sana Executive officers of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, University Faculty Members, Students, Friends and Colleagues It is a rare privilege for me to be with you today at Musinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. Since 1972 it has been a source of inspiration, a leading light for studies in higher learning. I was very pleased in 2007 to hear that MMUST had received full status as a university in its own right. I commend you for your new program initiatives, research and development projects. I was especially pleased to hear of the success of the recent Health Care Conference on the role of International Collaboration in reducing Maternal-Child Mortality. Today I have the privilege of talking about one of my favourite topics, Canada. I first arrived as a young immigrant from Denmark. In those days people were coming from all over the world, from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, seeking a better life. Canada was growing and developing as a nation. People brought with them their culture, traditions and values. It was not just about them, it was about a new land, a new life and new found freedom. There was this amazing sense that together we could build a nation. Like most countries Canada came into being at the stroke of a pen. On July 1, 1867 Canada became a self-governing political entity; however, it was far from being a nation. A nation takes time to build, to grow and mature. A country is bound by the fortunes of its history and geography. A nation on the other hand is a living evolving entity that reflects the ideals and dreams of its people and the reality of living together. What makes a country a nation? As I reflect on the Canadian experience