2009 Actuarial Students Open Day Address

Address by Daniel Mutuku, Chair JKUASA Main Chapter on the Occasion of the Actuarial Students Open Day held on the 8th October 2009 at the JKUAT Main (Juja) Campus Assembly Hall

The Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (AA), Deputy ViceChancellor (RPE), Chairman The Actuarial Society of Kenya (TASK), Chairman Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences (STACS), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Good morning.

It is a privilege to have all of you here for this significant event, the actuarial students open day. Well what is the purpose of all this? One may ask... I can summarize it in three words...PROGRESS, GROWTH, and RELEVANCE.

While drawing up our plans for this year as JKUASA, we realised that by being exposed to the practical actuarial workings in the field, it would be possible to understand what is needed from our part as we get into the finance industry. We needed motivation, especially from those that have
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reached top actuarial positions in the country. And so we understood that progress is not just activity, but well-directed activity. Let us as students embrace the sound advice that well receive from those that will stand here on this podium so that as we move on in our academic endeavours, we know clearly what our individual and corporate goals are, and we find out how we are going to meet them and make PROGRESS.

We furthermore appreciated that we are not islands...that is, we will need to have successors so that our noble efforts are advanced by those to whom we will hand down various responsibilities. That is why we have the presence of secondary school students. We hope that by the end of this forum, there will be an all round appreciation of this profession amongst our heirs, and more so, that more people will get into this trade. In a nutshell, we are marketing our profession telling you people that it is worth it. I for one have never regretted joining actuarial science. It is one of the most interesting and exciting ventures you would experience. And you know, the most thrilling part is when you realise youve worked to solve a problem...this is the profession for problem solvers! Being a JKUAT student, permit me to give a good word on behalf of my university and say that JKUAT is one of the leading universities in Kenya in the administration of the actuarial science program. Come on board and cause this field to GROW.
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Thirdly, this kind of forum has brought together professionals and a professional organisation with the institutions of higher learning. My plea is this. Lets have increased partnership to enhance the mutual goals of providing knowledgeable and skilled workforce for the nations development. As students let us dig deeper to seek for areas not yet researched on thereby enhance the value of our knowledge and skill. So, henceforth, let us ensure that the research component of our studies is rigorously explored while sharing our outcomes with all interested parties. Im also asking for closer liaison by the universities and The Actuarial Society of Kenya to ensure that actuarial programmes in Kenya are expeditiously accredited by the actuarial bodies in the UK and the USA hence reduce the time one takes to become an actuary. This will ensure that the principle of RELEVANCE is adhered to.

By having students from all JKUAT campuses offering actuarial science, University of Nairobi and Maseno University, we are saying that the task of nation building is corporate and not just segmented. Lets embrace this cooperation for greater strides now and in the future for this profession and this country.

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I thank God for His unending provisions for us. Much gratitude to the university administration for the support that you have extended to us as students. I thank all the participants for showing up, some from quite a distance. Let me invite the JKUASA patron to give a few remarks.

Thank you all and God bless you.

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