Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi graduates in ‘happiness’ course
On the same day the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education national examinations were released and students went about finding out their marks, former Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi joined in celebrations of educational success but as a graduate.
On November 23, 2023, he announced that he had graduated after completing a course in Happiness, and was now a trained facilitator.
“I am happy to announce that I successfully completed a one year degree course in happiness studies from the Happiness Studies Academy and graduated. I am now fully equipped to spearhead the happiness revolution in my motherland,” said Honorable Murungi.
He graduated on November 7, 2023, but announced today, having completed a course in Happiness Studies and facilitating happiness from the Happiness Studies Academy. The course provides students with 62 core competencies as well as 117 resource development tools.
A section of Kenyans welcomed the news differently as sampled below:
“Congratulations. I am also interested in similar studies. I wish you could start it here in our beloved country,” said Kirema Mburugu.
“I didn’t know happiness can be studied. Congratulations sir,” added James Kariuki.
“Am shocked!! what were you learning about happiness and the way you are bitter with Governor Kawira Mwangaza (current Meru Governor),” opined Elijah Kaseuseu.
“Congratulations my mentor. Your Happiness is my happiness & our happiness your Excellency,” said Mike Makarina.
“I didn’t know there’s a training for happiness. Thought happiness is a choice. Anyway, congratulations veteran,” added Beatrice Karimi.
“I used to think happiness is an intrinsic feeling when all goes well. I never thought it can even be forced in through a study. I stand educated. Congratulations our former governor,” said Enoti Charles.
The Happiness Studies Academy was founded by “positive psychology expert” Dr Tal Ben-Shahar. Its mission is to “lead the happiness revolution, by educating leaders who are themselves dedicated to personal, interpersonal, and communal flourishing.” The institution approaches this mission in two ways- by defining happiness and in the way they teach it.
The Certificate course, offered over a course of 12 months, is taught using spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical and relational elements (SPIRE).
“to better understand, pursue, and attain whole being, it is not enough to explore each of the SPIRE elements through the lens of a single field—be it psychology or philosophy. Instead, we need to take an interdisciplinary approach, turn to psychology and philosophy, as well as to literature, history, economics, theology, biology and other disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach is aligned with our general wholistic approach—one that bridges rather than divides, unites rather than separates,” read the material on the Academy’s official website.
The Academy also offers Masters in Happiness.
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