The government is committed to ensuring that all students in universities are well funded to pursue their education to completion, Education CS Julius Ogamba has said.
Speaking during the 12th graduation ceremony of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Ogamba said that it is for this reason that the student-centered funding model was introduced to provide loans and scholarships to students based on levels of need and economic status of their households.
“I am aware that the new funding model has faced a number of challenges as we enter the second year of its implementation but I am here to assure you that the government will ensure that the model works for the purpose of which it was introduced,” said Ogamba.
The CS revealed that the government has adopted a broad-based consultative approach in order to address concerns around funding for higher education in a sustainable and long-term manner.
Ogamba stated the government’s ultimate objective is to ensure that universities focus on their primary mandate and that the students pursue their academic ambitions in a conducive and enabling environment.
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He called upon all universities to optimize their academic programmes and utilize available resources to bridge the funding gaps.
“Universities should leverage on centrality of research, innovation and technology to enhance their relevance and attractiveness that will help generate funds as we try to address the funding gaps,” Ogamba remarked.
The education boss observed that JOOUST has constantly expanded it’s research portfolio with substantial progress in various fields resulting in several notable publications and securing competitive grants over the years.
He commended JOOUST for partnering with the National Innovation Agency to develop a commercialization master plan that will see the institution entrenched as a leading centre in innovation and research.
Ogamba noted that the positioning of JOOUST blue economy research institute provides an opportunity for advancement in marine science in the region and beyond, adding that given the limited funding from the government, the university needs to attract investors that would complements government’s efforts to fund the institute’s infrastructure development.
“I call upon the management of the university to explore creative possibilities as to how the facilities (Blue Economy Research Institute) can be made into a regional hub. As a ministry we will support you in every way possible,” he said.
Over four thousand students graduated with Diplomas, and undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, with Ogamba asking them to embrace continuous learning to remain relevant and be leaders in their respective fields.
By Erick Nyayiera
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