Long serving Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Stephen Agong’ has retired after a successful ten year run in the office.
The varsity Deputy VC in charge of Academic Affairs Prof. Joseph Bosire now takes over as the new VC in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor.
Agong’ has served as JOOUST VC since the institution received its Charter in 2013.
The outgoing VC handed over the instruments of governance – the mace and seal as well as key documents – to Prof. Bosire at a special Senate sitting presided over by the university Council Chairman Prof. Shem Wandiga.
Prof. Bosire is among the candidates who were interviewed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) for the position of VC for the institution early this week.
He has served in various top managerial capacities for over a decade at JOOUST including his immediate former position as Deputy VC in-charge of Academic Affairs, and remains hopeful that he will be appointed to the position of full VC at the institution.
The Acting VC expressed his gratitude to the government and the university Council for entrusting him with the leadership of the institution in the transitional period.
He commended Prof. Agong for his astute leadership and humility even during difficult moments terming it enviable and worth emulating.
He said he is ready to take on the mantle which has been termed as the “hot seat” saying he intends to address challenges at the university through teamwork, communication and inculcating a positive mindset to both staff and students.
The don said he is keen to follow in the footsteps of Prof. Agong to ensure the university continues registering growth adding that he intends to ensure the students population which is currently about ten thousand doubles as targeted in the university’s strategic plan.
He assured the university fraternity that he will work with all cadre of staff to ensure they deliver on making the university a beacon of excellence.
The outgoing VC who is headed for a one-year sabbatical leave and is expected back at the university to serve as a professor and has been proposed to head the newly established Blue Economy Research Hub.
Prof. Agong’ asked the incoming VC to ensure the university maintains high academic and research standards that has earned it both regional and global recognition.
He recollected how he started the university from scratch having been a Deputy Vice Chancellor at both Jomo Kenyatta and Maseno universities.
“When I was sent here to start the university back in 2009 from Maseno University, there were virtually nothing, I was the first staff member with a student population of about 200, now there are over 500 employees here and the student population has surpassed ten thousand resulting to economic transformation of this region,” he said
Agong’ asked all staff to support the incoming acting VC for the university to achieve its mission.
Prof. Wandiga who witnessed the handing over ceremony termed the moment as a pointer of growth in the university.
He expressed confidence that Prof. Bosire was equal to the task and would steer the institution towards the right direction.
Prof. Wandiga praised the Prof. Agong for dedicating his life to the growth of the university from humble beginnings to achieving financial muscle by attracting various popular research funds.
He, on the other hand, encouraged the Senate to design courses that offer practical solutions to problems in the society and with potential of better returns to the learners as opposed to theoretical learning.
By Erick Nyayiera
Get more stories from our website: Education News
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
