Mr. Samuel Makome with KCB officials][PHOTO/jkuat.ac.ke]Kenya’s public and private universities need urgent reforms to match fast-paced academic world, says KCB Group Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Samuel Makome.
He said the transformation needed is possible and achievable but only if the State and the university leadership are committed and recognize its need in the first instance.
“Most public universities and some private universities in Kenya are in a terrible state, perhaps in need of an emergency response and drastic solutions. We must be more daring with our institutional transformations if we,” said Makome during Pan Africa Christian University’s 36th graduation ceremony at its main campus, Thika Road, recently.
Dr. Samuel Makome said while it was heartening to note that the PAC University offers quality education, the institution’s management should ensure there is no unnecessary exodus of experienced and competent lecturers to work elsewhere in Kenya and beyond.
“The faculty members should not struggle to find a good reason to stay at PAC as they themselves advance in their career paths,” Dr. Makome said. He urged the management of private and public universities to strive and retain academic staff as well as maintain quality education and ensure the tide flows in the direction of people coming to Africa because there is quality education.
The University Chancellor Bishop Dr. David Oginde said that some remarkable milestones have been attained, including the admission and successful integration of government-sponsored students into PAC University system and the increased number of academic programmes approved by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The student population has increased significantly, bringing new energy and talent.