By Harold Ayodo

Many students who fail to join public universities are getting a second chance to enrol for degree programmes thanks to linkages between institutions of higher learning.

Partnerships between public universities and private colleges are giving students alternative paths to higher education.

Although the minimum entry grade to public universities is a C+ in KCSE, the Joint Admission’s Board cut-off grade of B locks out many students who qualify.

The partnerships allow college to enrol students with C+ in KCSE or those with lower grades but have certificate and diplomas in degree programmes.

Keriri Woman’s University of Science and Technology, situated in Kahawa, Nairobi, has only two blocks that resemble residential houses, which serve 300 students.

For instance, a student who scores a C- in KCSE can enrol for a degree course after completing certificate and diploma courses in the relevant area.

One such student is Rosemary Mideva who scored a C+ in KCSE. Determined to get a Masters of Business Administration, she is taking a diploma in business administration at Zetech College.

"The six month course will enable me qualify for a degree course," she says.

Zetech collaborates with the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to offer degrees courses.

Another student, Kevin Nyota who scored a C+ is pursuing a diploma in Information Communication Technology.

"I want to be a mechanical engineer so I will enrol for a degree after I complete the diploma," he says.

Zetech Managing Director Peter Njoroge says enrolment at the college that has three intakes increased by 70 per cent it partnered with JKUAT.

Degree courses offered at the college in collaboration with JKUAT include Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Mass Communication while diploma programmes include business administration, purchasing and supplies management, public relations and advertising, micro finance and Information technology.

JKUAT processes admission of students, prepare the curricular, vets the teaching staff and marks examinations. "Supervision by the university is rigorous to ensure quality," Njoroge says.

JKUAT has two quality assurance officials who visit the three Zetech colleges unannounced.

Before the agreement was signed, the university reviewed the CVs of the college’s teaching staff.

"We (Zetech) have to be on our toes as the Government because the government has become strict about standards," he says.

Njoroge says the college has applied to the CHE to allow it offer more degree programmes. "We presented our documents for validation," he says.