MKU Takes Africa's Higher Education Agenda to the Global Stage in the UK as they Push for Bold Governance Reforms

Mount Kenya University Council Chairman Dr. Vincent Gaitho (right) and Council Member Mr. Thomas Ng'ang'a during the Leadership and Governance Conference in the United Kingdom.

A strong call for bold, forward-looking governance in African universities dominated discussions this week as higher education leaders from across the world gathered in Lancaster, United Kingdom, for a landmark conference on institutional leadership and performance.

Held under the theme “Governing Councils as Strategic Stewards and Custodians of Institutional Performance,” the forum brought together policymakers, university executives and governance experts to explore how universities can remain competitive, innovative and sustainable amid rapid global changes.

Delivering the keynote address, Mount Kenya University (MKU) Council Chairman and Pro-Chancellor Dr. Vincent Gaitho challenged African universities to rethink their governance models, warning that strong leadership, not infrastructure alone, will determine the future of higher education on the continent.

“Institutional success is no longer determined solely by academic excellence. It is increasingly determined by the quality of governance and leadership,” Dr. Gaitho said.

He noted that African universities are operating in an environment shaped by artificial intelligence, shrinking funding, heightened accountability and fierce competition for students and talent, making strategic governance more important than ever.

“The quality of governance determines the quality of institutional performance,” he told delegates, urging university councils to move beyond routine oversight and become drivers of institutional transformation.

Throughout the conference, participants agreed that governing councils must evolve from administrative supervisors into strategic leaders capable of steering universities through an increasingly complex academic landscape.

Discussions centred on the concept of strategic stewardship, where university councils not only safeguard institutional resources and values but also position institutions to seize emerging opportunities while effectively managing future risks.

Dr. Gaitho challenged university leaders to reflect on the role of governing councils in shaping the future of higher education.

“Are our governing councils merely supervising universities or are they actively shaping their future?” he posed.

He called on institutions to shift from compliance-driven governance to value-creating leadership and from short-term decision-making to long-term sustainability.

“If African universities are

Mount Kenya University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, poses for a photo with Prof. Stephanie, Principal in Charge of Transnational Education Programmes at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and Dr. Vincent Gaitho, MKU Council Chairman and Pro-Chancellor, during a visit by the MKU delegation to the university in the United Kingdom.

to become globally competitive, financially sustainable, innovative and transformative institutions, then governing councils must embrace their role as strategic stewards and leadership teams must embrace their responsibility as drivers of institutional performance.” 

Beyond governance structures, speakers stressed the importance of cohesive leadership teams capable of translating institutional strategies into measurable outcomes.

Delegates noted that successful universities are guided by leaders who share a common vision, promote innovation, embrace accountability and foster collaboration across departments.

“A brilliant strategy poorly implemented remains just a document,” Dr. Gaitho observed, underscoring the need for disciplined execution.

He added that strong governance and effective leadership are inseparable.

“Good governance creates confidence. Good leadership creates results. Together, governance and leadership create enduring institutions.”

Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital governance and financial sustainability featured prominently during the discussions, with delegates warning that universities must rapidly adapt to technological and economic shifts.

Dr. Gaitho noted that traditional funding models are becoming increasingly unreliable, urging universities to diversify their income through endowments, research commercialisation and stronger partnerships with industry.

“Traditional funding models are under pressure. Universities must pursue diversified revenue streams while preparing graduates for future jobs, entrepreneurship and innovation-driven economies,” he said.

He added that Africa's youthful population presents a unique opportunity for universities to become engines of economic transformation by equipping graduates with skills relevant to the future workforce.

Participants also emphasised the importance of clearly defined roles between governing councils and university management, warning that governance failures often arise from blurred responsibilities, weak accountability and poor communication.

“The council governs, management manages, but both must lead,” one speaker remarked during the forum.

From left: Mount Kenya University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, MKU Council Chairman Dr. Vincent Gaitho, Mount Kigali University Council Member Thomas Ng'ang'a, and Mount Kigali University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Martin Kimemia during the Leadership and Governance Conference in the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, MKU has reaffirmed its commitment to international collaboration by strengthening partnerships with the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and its sister institution, Mount Kigali University (MKUR) in Rwanda.

The trilateral discussions focused on expanding cooperation in joint academic programmes, faculty and student exchange initiatives, collaborative research, innovation, and governance capacity building.

The Kenyan delegation was led by MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi and Council Chairman Dr. Vincent Gaitho, while Mount Kigali University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Martin Kimemia headed the Rwandan team.

Other participants included Thomas Ng'ang'a, a member of the MKU Council, and Dr. Innocent Mugisha, Chairman of the Council at Mount Kigali University.

“Our continued partnership reflects a shared vision to internationalise education, expand opportunities for students and strengthen cross-border research,” said Dr. Gaitho.

Prof. Jaganyi noted that MKU's participation in the UK conference further deepened its long-standing partnership with UWS through the Centre for African Research on Enterprise and Economic Development (CAReED).

The partnership has continued to grow since 2015, aided by the fact that Prof. John Struthers, Director of CAReED at UWS, also serves as MKU's Chancellor.

In 2022, MKU became a delivery hub for UWS degree programmes, enabling students in Kenya to pursue affordable twinning bachelor's programmes and graduate with degrees awarded by the University of the West of Scotland.

“Our engagement in such international forums reflects MKU's commitment to advancing global academic linkages and contributing to Africa's development agenda through research-driven solutions,” Prof. Jaganyi said.

He added that the collaboration has enhanced staff development, strengthened research and innovation, built institutional capacity and elevated MKU's profile within global academic networks.

As the conference concluded, delegates issued a united call for governance reforms across African universities, urging institutions to move beyond administrative oversight towards strategic, value-driven leadership capable of navigating future challenges.

The forum also reinforced the importance of integrating African universities into the global knowledge economy while strengthening regional collaboration through partnerships and cross-border education.

MKU's collaboration with Mount Kigali University, anchored in joint academic programmes and student exchanges, was highlighted as a model for regional cooperation now strengthened through global partnerships such as that with the University of the West of Scotland.

Closing the conference, Dr. Gaitho reiterated the central message that resonated throughout the forum.

“Good governance creates confidence. Good leadership creates results. Together, they create enduring institutions.”