UoN reveals plan to expand facilities, declares 11,000 places

The University of Nairobi has announced an ambitious plan to expand its facilities as the oldest institution of higher learning declares more opportunities.

Vice chancellor Prof Stephen Kiama revealed this on Friday during the institution’s 70th graduation ceremony, where 5,744 graduates were conferred with degrees and awarded diplomas.

Kiama said the university will declare to the Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Service a capacity of 11,000 student places, up from 7,000 last year.

“This is an increase of about 57 per cent. I welcome all those who plan to join the university to take advantage of this opening,” Kiama said.

The VC said the university has continued to witness an influx of students who want to study as self-sponsored or government-sponsored students.

During the graduation ceremony, 73 graduates earned PhDs, 37 fellowships, 1,632 masters, 55 postgraduate diplomas, 3,666 bachelors, and 281 diplomas. 

Kiama said the university senate recently debated the expected influx and decided to immediately respond by increasing opportunities by progressively declaring higher capacities, beginning with areas where immediate infrastructural support is not required.

He said as the university expands opportunities, the institution is conscious of the limitations it has in accommodation.

“But even as we do so, I believe it is time to challenge ourselves, have a candid discussion, and explore more effective and profitable means of managing students' accommodation and catering services. There is definitely a better way. We shall be exploring the options available in the coming days.”

The VC said discussions are ongoing on how the institution can expand accommodation spaces.

“Today, I am happy to note that Acorn Kenya, a private investment company running Qwetu and Kijani students’ accommodation, decided to invest and put up an accommodation facility abutting north-western side of our Chiromo campus. This facility, which has the capacity to hold about 2,800 students, is due to be opened in January 2024, a great relief to our students,” Kiama said.

Kiama said the institution is resolute in continuing the ongoing five-point reform initiatives, particularly financial and people reforms.

The reforms, Kiama said, are necessary to effectively optimise financial and human resources, ensuring the institution's long-term sustainability.

The VC said a state-of-the-art building that was constructed with the support of the African Development Bank and the Government of Kenya and located at the Wangari Maathai Institute campus was officially handed over to the university early this year.

Kiama said the institute offers an appropriate experiential learning platform on environmental governance.

He said Manu Chandaria has also promised Sh20 million to provide for the Chandaria Product Development and Design Centre, under the Faculty of Built Environment and Design.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, through a programme led by Prof Ontita, is also in the process of procuring services for the design and construction of a twin tower facility for housing the Centre for Land Acquisition and Resettlement.

The World Bank supports the initiative.

“For pharmacy, the government committed Sh100 million in this financial year to complete a portion of the stored pharmacy building project. In addition, working with industry partners Elgon Kenya Limited, we have commenced construction of the Kantaria Agriculture Technology and Innovation Transfer Centre, which aims at enhancing the diffusion of agricultural technologies for enhanced food security,” Kiama said.

Kiama said if this trend continues, the university may need to expand its teaching and learning resources, particularly in health-related courses and engineering.

The VC said the government of Kenya, with the support of the French government, has committed to expanding the engineering teaching and learning facilities, which are already on course.

“We shall soon put up the engineering and science complex. I'm happy to report that the faculty of engineering is also slated to receive equipment worth about Sh 500 million to enhance training in civil and geospatial engineering through the support of the World Bank,” Kiama said.

Education CS Ezekiel Machogu urged universities to bear with the state as it systematically and methodically addresses their financial difficulties together, in line with the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms Report’s recommendations.

“Allow me to assure you that the Ministry will progressively work towards resolving all your concerns in an environment of dialogue so we can ensure that access to quality education remains unimpeded,” Machogu said.

The CS said the transition from the 8-4-4 curriculum to the competency-based curriculum (CBC) is currently underway.

He said the new curriculum is designed to equip the nation with the necessary skills for industrialization and to mitigate the high rates of unemployment.

“Under the CBC, it is essential for universities to collaborate closely with industries to produce graduates with the right skill sets demanded by the market.  To this end, universities must establish training facilities, secure resources, and foster global partnerships that ensure our educational quality is on par with the best in the world,” he said.