The University of Eldoret, formerly Moi University, Chepkoilel Campus, is my Almer Mater. I love the University because it is the place where I honed skills in Botany.
It is also the place that shaped my social life and gave me so many friends who continue to play important roles in my life.
The news, therefore, that 500 Engineering students of University of Eldoret risk being expelled from the University because they boycotted lectures for more than one month are not only painful but disappointing.
Because of the lecturers’ strike late last year, the University postponed the end semester examinations and re-scheduled them in February this year. The engineering students, who had boycotted lectures for more than a month, also refused to sit for the end semester exams in February. The reason for their boycott is that their courses have not been approved by the Engineering Board of Kenya (EBK). A very valid concern, if you ask me.
University of Eldoret Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Ruth Otunga threatened to expel the students if they do not resume lectures immediately. This was a very inappropriate statement to make.
The students did no wrong to demand their rights. They were selected by the Kenya University and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) to undertake engineering courses because they qualified.
When they later found out that the engineering courses offered by the University are not approved by EBK, it was just common sense for them to stop attending lectures and demands to know what is going on. What benefit will they get after laboring for five years only to be awarded a “fake” certificate? A certificate that is not recognized by EBK?
On 25th February 2018, the Daily Nation published a list of Universities allowed to offer Engineering courses. The list was released by Engineering Board of Kenya registrar Nicholas Musuni. The University of Eldoret was missing in the list. This was after the DVC (Academic affairs) Ruth Otunga assured the students that the University is accredited by the EBK to offer those engineering courses. What has she to say after the list was released?
The Engineering courses being offered by the University include Mechanical and Production Engineering, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Civil engineering and structural engineering.
The dilemma is; will the students continue with the courses knowing very well that the future the certificate will accord them is bleak? Or will they forfeit all those years and switch to another degree programme and start afresh?
It is indeed painful to be an engineering student at the University of Eldoret. The boards concerned should come to the aid of these students and assure them that their future is still bright.