Over 80 per cent of first year students of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) have secured admissions, thanks to the new varsity funding model.
Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Emily Akuno hailed the funding model as having enhanced fairness to students and ensures success of their educational programmes.
In her welcoming address to the first years, Prof Akuno termed the new funding model a privilege that should be embraced by all stakeholders.
“Thanks to the new funding model, every student now has the opportunity to benefit from what the government has put aside unlike before where some deserving students missed outrightly,” the VC stated.
While acknowledging that many people were still finding challenges conceptualizing the banding categories, she assured that it will ensure accessibility to higher education irrespective of economic backgrounds.
“For instance at JOOUST, students categorized to belong to Band 1 will have to pay 5 per cent from family contribution, which is about Ksh4,200 per semester for those taking arts courses while the remaining cost is catered through government’s loans and scholarships,” Akuno explained.
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The university Don revealed that KUCCPS and TVET had placed 3500 students in the institution and that over 2000 had been admitted by the close of the orientation week and that the remaining were expected to report in the second week.
Prof Akuno encouraged students yet to report to come even if they lack fees since they are all eligible for the funding.
“I hope that none of those yet to be registered are staying away because they do not know that they can walk into the university and register. They should know that they are eligible for funding and as an institution we have set aside staff who will be helping such students to apply for the funds once they arrive here,” she stated.
Prof Akuno also revealed that their staff will also be assisting those students who feel that they were wrongly banded to appeal to the Higher Education Fund (HEF) for re-banding.
“If any of the students has found themselves wrongly banded from the reality of their family economic situations, the window is still open. We will assist you log into the portal and appeal for re-banding,” she said.
The VC further disclosed that the university has opened its doors and will be assisting all students from the region joining other universities across the country who have difficulties in applying for funds or appealing for re-banding.
“We are offering to assist all students in the region who are facing funds application challenges irrespective of the university they are joining. Just walk in and you will find our staff ready to assist you log into the portal and apply for funds or re-banding if you found yourself wrongly banded,” she said.
She on the other hand asked students joining first year to shun betting and engaging in gambling activities, and instead focus on education that would build their potential.
“I know that as youthful students, the urge to engage in gambling to have more money for a high level lifestyle might tempt you into gambling. Do not be lured into gambling using resources meant for fee and accommodation. Right now we have students who did not sit exams and have no accommodation because of addiction to gambling at our university,” she warned.
Her cautionary remarks come against the backdrop of recent findings that revealed that over 75 per cent of students were engaged in gambling, which negatively affected their studies at the university.
By Erick Nyayiera
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