Graduation Ceremony Of The Wildlife Research & Training Institute
Naivasha, Friday, 15th October 2021: The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife recently hosted the 19th graduation ceremony and the 1st by the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) in Naivasha, presided over by its Cabinet Secretary(CS) Hon Najib Balala.
A total of 195 candidates comprising 146 Diplomas and 49 Certificates trainees graduated on this event which got covered by GoPlaces Media. The Government took deliberate efforts to operationalize WRTI, which started operating as an independent Institution from 1st July 2021. CS Balala honoured the graduates for their hard work, challenging them to apply the knowledge they had acquired to offer solutions to hurdles facing the wildlife and tourism sectors and contribute to the National Development Goals.
“I want to commend the graduates for their hard work, which has culminated in their award of certificates and diplomas. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we have resorted to a blended (physical and virtual) graduation ceremony to comply with the Ministry of Health Covid-19 Containment Protocols,” he stated.
“Allow me to sincerely congratulate the WRTI and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Managements and their Respective Boards for preparing you well to face the future challenges and explore existing and new opportunities. I also thank parents, guardians and sponsors who have supported the graduates through their studies,” he added.
For motivation to the students, the CS announced that WRTI will sponsor tuition fees for the best two certificate graduates with distinctions to join diploma courses in WRTI.
The tourism and wildlife boss also revealed that WRTI is in the process of reviewing the academic programs to offer courses geared towards addressing evolving challenges in wildlife conservation and management. “These courses will include wildlife forensics, protected area management, human-wildlife coexistence and conservation planning among others.
“WRTI is also developing broad-based, multi-institutional and long-term research programs to facilitate the provision of accurate and reliable scientific data and information to inform policy formulation and decision making. Among these will include data management infrastructure, disease surveillance and wildlife research and monitoring programmes,” he said.
Additionally, WRTI is focusing on streamlining wildlife research permitting and compliance by developing research authorization guidelines, digitizing the research permitting process, creation of a researchers’ database and developing policy guidelines to guide wildlife census.
Launched in August 2020, WRTI marked the first wildlife research institute in Kenya with its core mandate being to undertake research and generate practical scientific information to guide on conservation and management of wildlife in the country. Its operationalization follows the enactment of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (WCMA) 2013, which guides the legal framework of its formation.
Brigadier (retired) John Migui Waweru, the Director-General(DG) for the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) was also at the graduation ceremony which for the second year running, was held during the “New Normal” times because of Covid-19 Pandemic.
“From the onset, I wish to congratulate the Board and Management of the Wildlife Research and Training Institute for organizing this graduation ceremony. As we celebrate this 19th Graduation ceremony which is the first under WRTI, I am reminded that the last 18 were conducted by KWS under Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute. Today we are proud to see these achievements after handing over the baton,” he started.
“As a service, we grew the trainee population from 50 in the first enrollment to over 1000 trainees yearly and yet it was not our core mandate. I see greater opportunities for the Institute to grow and multiply these numbers,” he revealed.
The DG announced to be pleased that the KWS is honouring the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed with the WRTI urging that they will continue to facilitate the institute in all areas that it requests including financial and staffing. As a state agency responsible for wildlife management, Mr Waweru is expecting that the creation of WRTI will deepen research in wildlife conservation that will inform management decisions.
To the graduates, the DG advised them to be well prepared and appropriately skilled for the market. He emphasizes passion and persistence as the key things to always note for the graduates. “The marketplace today requires passionate individuals going beyond the call of duty. There are many challenges in the market, but you must keep the focus on the goal and be persistent. No matter what your goal is, no matter how long it will take you to get there, no matter how difficult the road might be, never ever give up, and never ever let anyone discourage you until you reach that goal,” he confided.
The DG appreciated CS Hon Balala, the Principal Secretary for providing leadership that led to the operationalization of WRTI. He also acknowledged his colleagues in KWS who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes in making the WRTI a reality.
As a new Institution, CS Balala confessed that WRTI will encounter diverse challenges in achieving its targets. He pointed out some instances such as revenue projections for the Financial Year 2021/2022 that have fallen short of the target due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, he is confident that his Ministry will provide all the necessary reinforcement to ensure WRTI accomplishes its purposes.
“My Ministry will provide all the necessary support to ensure WRTI achieves its objectives. My Ministry will also explore the establishment of a revolving fund with the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to facilitate access to HELB Loans by students placed at WRTI through Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Service (KUCCPS),” he declared.
In his conclusion, CS Balala wished to reiterate the Government’s desire to have a long-term symbiotic relationship between WRTI and KWS. He declared that the gaps and overlaps between WRTI and KWS shall be addressed in the ongoing review of the WCMA 2013 to address duplication of functions.
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