By Fredrick Odiero
Commission for University Education (CUE) Chairman Nyaigotti Chacha has told varsities in Africa to brace for even harder times.
Prof. Chacha noted that varsities within the continent have been operating under diminished budgetary allocations from local governments, making life extremely difficult for them.
The don was speaking at the Uzima University in Kisumu County during its second graduation ceremony where about 170 graduands were awarded various certificates, diplomas and degrees.
Prof. Chacha said that the varsities should be more creative and invest more in research and innovations if they intend to make headways.
The don who was accompanied by the Chancellor, Bishop Rtd. Emeritus Zacchaeus Okoth together with the Council Chairperson Nelson Otieno and the Vice Chancellor Dr. Cosmas K’Otieno regretted that even local varsities in Kenya can no longer sit on their laurels.
The Professor said they should further invest in technology if they are to remain relevant in the wake of changing trends.
He urged the graduates to not depend only on salaried employment but should instead be innovative.
The sentiments were echoed by the head of Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Mercy Wahome.
She told the graduates to strive to be job creators as the job market was currently flooded.
Chancellor Rtd. Bishop Okoth nostalgically narrated how he and former Kisumu Town Member of Parliament Job Omino coined the idea of starting Uzima University in the 1980s, identified where the institution is currently located before retired president the late Daniel Moi approved it.
“We initially organized a walk in order to raise funds for the university,” he said.
Bishop Okoth said the medical institution was necessary in the wake of pandemics in the Nyanza region such as Malaria. Cholera and later HIV/AIDS.
