Parliament urged to implement stakeholders' ideas

University Education PS Simon Nabukwesi has called on the new administration to take in recommendations made by stakeholders in the sector.

Nabukwesi was speaking during a conference with vice-chancellors in Mombasa.

This is the first international annual conference for the public universities chairpersons of councils, vice-chancellors and principals.

The three-day conference is themed ‘sustainable universities for national transformation.'

Among the issues under discussion are the review of the status of the education system at university level.

“The stakeholders will also address University Act 2012 which was not approved by Parliament [and] equitable access to education,” Nabukwesi said.

The conference brings together other state agencies under the State Department of University Education and Research.

They include Higher Education Loan Board, Universities Funding Board and National Research Fund, among others. 

The PS urged the new Parliament led by National Assembly speaker Moses Wetang'ula to consider the issues submitted.

Nabukwesi decried the former committee of ‘killing’ ideas that were submitted by the stakeholders.

He said the conference would be ready to work with the new leadership.

The National Assembly is yet to form committees for different departments.

The Council of Governors elected Kericho Governor Erick Mutai to lead the education committee.

“We are looking forward to briefing the new committee so that they think with us, reason with us and implement the ideas that will emerge from this conference,” he said.

Nabukwesi asked public universities to explore means to generate revenue.

 “We need to develop and implement a policy on raising resources from other avenues,” the PS said.

Nabukwesi said the resources can be raised from competitive research and entrepreneurship grants and alumni associations.

Other avenues include continuous education, community service and business investments.

“Ensure revenue collection software is in place to manage revenue collection,” he said.

The PS also urged university management to collect outstanding money owed by students before they sit their examinations.

“Universities should employ a revenue collector staff to manage revenue collection,” Nabukwesi said.

Former students at the University of Nairobi, for instance, owe the institution up to Sh857 million.

An audit report of the university revealed that the balance of the student debt had been outstanding for more than one year.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu said in the report that the institution acted contrary to the university regulations.

The regulations require it to withhold services to student debtors, withdraw any services, examination results, conferment of any degree, certificate, or award until all fees are settled.

(edited by Amol Awuor)