By James Wakahiu
Universities across the world are known as centres of research and knowledge creation, the Chairman of Commission for University Education (CUE) Chairman, Prof. Chacha Nyaigoti Chacha has said.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by the acting CUE CEO Alice Kande at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nairobi where Mount Kenya University hosted a breakfast meeting for the forthcoming 5th International Interdisciplinary Research Conference 2018, Prof. Chacha said knowledge creation should not be the ultimate goal of research but the process through which practical solutions can be obtained.
“By solutions, I suggest simple and affordable solutions that are within the reach of Wanjiku and Akinyi etc. It is my hope that the proposed conference will allow academicians to display their innovations to their peers and members of the public,” the Chairman told the guests”, he said.
He added, “As a regulator of Kenyan Universities, I am aware of the great potential of over 70 institutions that are legally mandated by law to offer degrees”.
However, he said, these institutions will not do much by working alone.
“I am a firm believer of the fact that institutions that embrace the spirit of co-operation will thrive. This conference, that is organized through a consortium of Universities in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria delights me since it is grounded on local and regional co-operation. I encourage the members of the consortium to also consider admitting some international Universities and all other local universities,” said Prof. Chacha.
He said twenty years ago, if you had told somebody that you will send them money through the mobile phone, they would have accused you of abusing their intelligence.
The theme of the conference “Digital Innovation and Knowledge Economy: Opportunities and Challenges towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals”, gives me exciting expectations,” said Prof Chacha.
