Zetech University celebrated a historical milestone as the new crop of Bachelor of Science in Nursing students from the School of Health Sciences took part in a colourful and deeply symbolic White Coat Ceremony on Thursday, 5th February 2026, at Technology Park Mang’u Campus. The event marked a meaningful step in their professional journey into the noble calling of healthcare.
The White Coat Ceremony is a formal rite of passage for all medical practitioners across the world that marks the moment when students publicly commit to the values and responsibilities of the profession. Leading the ceremony, Dr. Lydia Mwanzia, PhD, FHEA, Dean Zetech School of Health Sciences, guided the student nurses as they took a solemn oath. They pledged themselves to safe, evidence-based practice, ethical conduct, humility, accountability, and advocating for patient safety.
In her address, Dr. Mwanzia reflected on the deeper meaning of a white coat ceremony, stating that: “The white coat you wear today represents a promise, a promise to safeguard health and dignity, to make each patient feel heard and cared for, and to uphold the trust placed in you by every life you touch.”
This comes at a time when global healthcare continues to evolve. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the global nursing workforce grew from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023, even as disparities in distribution remain and nurses continue to be crucial to achieving universal health coverage.
Also, employment in the healthcare and social assistance sector is projected to grow faster than most other fields over the coming decade in many countries, driven by aging populations and increasing demand for medical services. These trends highlight the rising importance of well-trained and compassionate nurses — the very professionals now entering practice at Zetech University.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Njenga Munene, reminded students that their role in healthcare extends far beyond clinical skills. “Healthcare is a human endeavour,” he said. “It calls for unwavering attention, integrity, and the courage to speak up for your patients. Let your white coat be a reminder that every life you serve deserves your very best.”
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Alice Njuguna, also congratulated the students and encouraged them to embrace excellence, empathy, and innovation as they progress through their studies and into professional practice.
As the students put on their white coats, they marked more than an academic milestone. For these future nurses, the white coat is not merely a garment but a powerful emblem of responsibility, reminding them that their work will touch lives, bring comfort, and uphold the dignity of every patient they care for. It is a public declaration of their readiness to step into a profession that requires empathy and humanity.
The White Coat Ceremony stands as a proud reflection of Zetech University’s dedication to training competent, ethical, and compassionate healthcare professionals poised to make a positive impact on their communities and the broader health sector.