Kampala-Kampala International School Uganda (KISU) on Friday May 29, held their 6th graduation ceremony in honor of students who completed the internationally acclaimed International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.
A total of 15 students, received their completion certificates from KISU ahead of the full release of the examination results by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) in July this year. KISU was accredited by IBO in 2008.
The students are headed to a variety of universities around the world to study a variety of courses, including engineering, pre-medicine, Business Management, Management Information Systems, Music Production, Liberal Arts, International Relations, Computer Engineering.
The graduation was presided over by Samuel Paice, HM Consul, British High Commission in Uganda, assisted by Mr. Neil Wrightson, the School Director.
The IB Diploma Programme is an alternative to pre- university programmes like the local A-levels and KISU is one of only three schools in Uganda to offer the programme; that is recognized by all leading universities worldwide. To date, a total of 90 students have completed the course from KISU.
KISU is also accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Educating today’s children for tomorrow’s world
In his keynote address to the students, Mr Paice, urged the students, to utilize the skills gained at the school to become better global citizens; saying that the IB Diploma was just the beginning of a long future ahead of them.
“The IB Diploma equips you with all the necessary skills to fit in the outside world,” he said.
On his part, Mr.Neil Wrightson encouraged the students to aim for the best in life and not to be afraid of making mistakes.
“You are going on the biggest journey of your life. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Because the truth is that no matter how well you plan things, things will go wrong, people will let you down but some other people will move heaven and earth for you; do not forget to say thank you,” he advised.
On behalf of the Class of 2015, Ingrid Saito, praised both the IB Diploma and KISU for having given them a strong foundation on which they would place the building blocks of a great future ahead.
“We are nothing but the fruits of your labour,” she told the parents and quickly reminded her fellow students not to be afraid of failure.
“Remember, sunshine everyday causes a desert; whenever you are faced with drizzles remember always to seize the day,” she said.
To enroll for the diploma, a student needs to have scored at least five credits in five major subjects at O-level or their equivalent at the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).
“I invite parents to come and learn more about the benefits of international education,” he said.
He also said that with world class facilities, Uganda stood to benefit from attracting students within the region to come and study locally and this would have immense national benefits.
KISU- A world-class centre of excellence
KISU is a non-selective, co-educational school for 2-18 year olds, offering an enhanced English National Curriculum for 2-14 year olds, followed by 2-year IGCSE (Cambridge) courses for 14-16 year olds, and finally the pre–university IB Diploma Programme for 16-18 year olds.
The school has over 600 students from more than 60 nationalities. Staff is drawn mainly from the UK, Canada, Australia, USA, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Uganda. This ensures a wide exposure to cultures and languages.
The school which is part of the Ruparelia Group, migrated to their purpose built 14-acre campus on September 3, 2008.
