Matiangi Makes An Impromptu Visit At MKU, Calls For Greater Investment in E-Learning.

Cabinet Secretary Education, Science and Technology Dr. Fred Matiangi Thursday afternoon made an impromptu visit at Mount Kenya University main campus in Thika, touring the campus’ Research Centre, Science Laboratories and the Library.

Speaking to the press, Matiangi commended MKU for heavily investing in academic infrastructure.

“I am very impressed with what I have seen at MKU. Once again, I would like to challenge universities in Kenya to speak only one language - quality. When we are talking about a university’s facilities, we should also consider e-resources because it is obvious that institutions are also investing a lot in this area,” said Dr. Matiangi.

He was quick to point out that the university had placed a lot of focus on science and technology programmes.

MKU offers accredited programmes in Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Medical Laboratory, Dentistry and Nutrition among others.

  

The CS has etched a reputation for visiting learning institutions around the country to see first-hand how learning is conducted.

Dr. Matiangi called for a coordinated approach in the accreditation of academic programmes offered by universities in Kenya adding that the frequent disputes between universities and professional accreditation bodies had only one loser; the students.

He said that he was looking forward to adjudication between professional bodies and regulatory bodies in the accreditation of academic programmes.

“The constant antagonism is only hurting our children. We shall constitute a team chaired by the Attorney General, which will bring all the players, that is universities, the Commission for University Education and professional bodies for a roundtable discussion,” he said.

In the recent past, some universities in Kenya have been at loggerheads with professional bodies over accreditation of academic programmes.

“These disputes have been very unseeming and frustrating. I want to assure all students and parents that we shall sort out this issue once and for all,” he added.

  

The Commission for University Education (CUE) is the supreme body that accredits universities in Kenya. Chartered universities in Kenya are guided by their charters, under which the programmes are approved by the CUE.

One of the raging disputes include that between the Engineers Board of Kenya and Kenyatta University, Masinde Muliro and Technical University of Kenya. TUK suspended admission of new students in September last year.

Recently, the constitutional court resolved a similar issue between the Council for Legal Education, and Mount Kenya University and Moi University.

Earlier, the Council had sought termination of law programmes offered by these universities. But the court ruled that the programmes were accredited by CUE and it would have been unconstitutional to deny the students their right to legal training. 

Other professional bodies include the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Clinical Officers Council of Kenya, Nursing Council of Kenya, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board and the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute. 

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stanley Waudo called on the government to put in place measures that would make the equipment needed in research and in mounting science programmes affordable.

“We (private universities) need support from the government in strengthening our human resource capacity especially in instances where we have to bring professors from outside the country.”

MKU, which was chartered in 2011, has complied with all the requirements spelt out by CUE. They include the accreditation of all its campuses throughout the country.