MKU is the most preferred University and a premier institution of higher learning in East Africa as it provides the necessary physical and human resources, the University Board of Trustee chair Simon Nyutu Gicharu has said.
He said since the award of the University Charter, students’ enrollment has been rising at all levels of training, which indicates the preference of MKU as the university of choice.
Speaking to the press at MKU main campus in Thika yesterday, Gicharu said his university continues to create an enabling environment for realisation of their vision – to be a centre of excellence in training, research and innovation in Science & Technology in Africa.
He said the students’ population in the next five years is projected rise to more than 50,000 and more than 3,000 university's employees.
The university has continuously recruited experienced and highly qualified academic staff in various disciplines to ensure high quality teaching and training standards are maintained.
The university has also tapped academic talent outside Kenya to strengthen academic staff and boost exchange programmes.
“We have put in place a Staff Development Fund that has supported a number of staff pursuing Masters and PhD programmes, some of who are graduating today. One of them actually graduated recently at Gulu University, Uganda,” Gicharu said.
Gicharu said MKU staff tuition waiver has supported more than 200 beneficiaries, who are MKU staff, their spouses, children and siblings.
He said Mount Kenya University will continue setting the pace as a champion in the academic arena to provide competitive, high quality education, training and research in Kenya and beyond.
The academic programmes are developed and reviewed in consultation with the regulatory agencies and practitioners from the industry to ensure they remain relevant to the industrial, commercial and market needs.
“We will continue pursuing mutually beneficial partnerships with various institutions and industries in order to produce graduates with skills well aliened to the labour market as envisioned in Kenya’s Vision 2030.
Students mentor ship programmes including simulation of the world of work will be strengthened to prepare the students for the labour market when they graduate,” Gicharu said.
The chairman said MKU has continued to guard its identity through its policies and enhanced corporate governance structure.
Recently the university approved various policies such as:Gender Policy, Disability policy, ICT policy and Teaching Practice policy among others.
“ I take this early opportunity to thank the main organs of governance of this university for their individual and collective roles, which include: Board of Trustees, University Council, Senate, Management Board, School and Departmental Academic Boards and Students Governing Council,”