Univeristies have been urged to support the reforms being implemented by the Ministry of Education through the Commission for University Education targeting the higher education system. This is according to President Uhuru Kenyatta, who presided over the 4th graduation ceremony of Kibabii University in Bungoma. He said the demand for higher education in Kenya has recently increased and reforms have to be done.
Severally, lecturers and stakeholders have moved to oppose reforms aimed at the higher education sector, most notably the proposal to cut off some institutions and reduce campuses. “All universities are therefore required to comply with the higher standards of training that have been set by the Ministry through the Commission for University Education,” said President Kenyatta.
He said the reforms are aimed at ensuring the institutions are able to produce high quality graduates. He added that universities need to also audit themselves to do away with duplication of degree programmers and rationalizing staffing levels, an issue that had been raised by the government several times before.
Giving the importance to research, he urged universities to double investment in research and innovation, “…that provide practical solutions to our economic as well as our social challenges and, at the same time informing our policy discourse.” He said higher learning institutions and mid level colleges should take the lead in transforming young Kenyans.
A total of 1,863 people graduated in the graduation ceremony on Friday. The Diplomas conferred were 217, the Degrees 1,574, Masters were 30 and PhDs were 10.
