University of Eldoret has put to a rest the stalemate between them and engineering students who have protested severally over their  courses accreditation by the Engineering Board of Kenya (EBK).The students had boycotted classes and end of semester exams, a move that aimed to show the seriousness of their plight.Below is a lengthy statement released to the press by the University's Vice Chancellor Prof Teresa Akenga.The University of Eldoret notes with great concern the information that has been in the public domain concerning the accreditation status of the School of Engineering courses. The University would like to state categorically that the courses offered have been approved by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) and the Commission for University Education (CUE).University of Eldoret offers three Bachelor of Engineering degrees namely; Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Civil & Structural Engineering and Mechanical & Production Engineering. These programs are instituted in the University of Eldoret Statues, 2013. In line with maintaining of standards and continuous curriculum review, the institution hosted a stakeholders’ forum where key leaders in the Engineering field met and discussed the contents of the programs. The three curricula were presented to the Engineers Board of Kenya and the Commission for University Education and met all the requirements. The University received communication from the respective bodies to affirm the same. The University embarked on improvement of the training facilities and infrastructure. Through government funding (approx. Kshs 72 million) an Engineering Complex has been constructed and was completed in February 2017. The Complex hosts laboratories, offices and lecture rooms that have supported the operations of the School. The University has equipped and continues to procure modern equipment to be used in respective engineering practical lessons. The University has partnered with Moi University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and University of Nairobi for use of their laboratories to ensure the students acquire the specialized practical knowledge and experience.University of Eldoret School of Engineering Complex has twenty-one academic staff and eight technical staff. This is over and above the EBK and CUE requirements for the number of programs established. In addition, adjunct professors and sessional lecturers have been engaged to support the academic team. The Library has adequate reference books and e-journals, which serve as reference materials for the students and academic staff. The University has been in constant engagement with EBK to ensure that the accreditation process is on course and certification is received. There is one more stage to go through, the accreditation visit, confirmed for February 21st, 2018. Irrespective of this pending visit, the University was granted authority by EBK to graduate the first cohort of 66 students during the 5th Graduation Ceremony that was held on Friday, November 24th, 2017. The Board noted and appreciated the steps the institution had undertaken in the accreditation process. They are to conduct the accreditation visit to verify certain areas prior to the final registration. After the lecturers’ industrial action was called off, all the University of Eldoret students were recalled to resume their 2017/2018 1st Semester session on December 11th, 2017. The School of Engineering students absconded lectures. The school faculty, the University Senate and the University Management Board continuously engaged with the students and tabled the documents received from EBK regarding accreditation process and progress. Unfortunately, students were adamant and continued with their boycott insisting that they will only resume classes after the full accreditation of the programs. On January 18th, 2018, the University Senate held a special meeting to discuss the ongoing boycott. During this meeting it was resolved that Article 13 of the UoE Students Handbook would be invoked if the students do not abide to the new semester timetable that was approved during the meeting. On January 28th, 2018, the Engineering students were requested to leave the campus as per Article 13 of the UoE Student handbook. After the release of the memo, the University Management Board received information to the effect that a group of Engineering students had planned to disrupt University activities by holding a demonstration and interfering with the ongoing end of semester examinations. The management took the necessary steps to avoid the disruptions as per the University Security policy. It is regrettable a small group of “masked individuals” have intentionally decided to mislead the public.The bona fide students have abided by the Senate resolution. It is in the interest of the country and the education sector that the University provides programs that meet international standards and form a foundation for the future engineers. The University’s objective is to provide quality education and knowledge to build capacity in the engineering sector, engineers who will provide leadership and innovations into the future in line with our motto ‘the flame of knowledge and innovation”.To our students, guardians and parents and the general public, the University of Eldoret is committed to receiving the registration from EBK and we request your patience as we finalize the process. The operations at the University are on-going and the 2017/2018 Second Semester began on Monday, February 12th, 2018 for all the other programs in the remaining eight schools.

Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa