Review curriculum to suit technology, job market, DP William Ruto tells universities

Deputy President William Ruto during the 33rd graduation ceremony at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton. (Photo: DPPS)

Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto has urged universities to continuously review their courses content as the basis of improving the relevance and quality of teaching.

Ruto said universities should take full advantage of modern technology in order to play an effective role in improving the lives of Kenyans.

“The rate of science, innovation and technology should be embraced by universities if they are to remain relevant,” said Mr. Ruto.

The Deputy President said it was through embracing technology that universities could excel in their mandate.

Ruto said expansion of university education has enabled many Kenyans to acquire skills for their personal development and that of the country.

“It is time universities focus on programmes that go in line with the development needs of the country,” he said.

The Deputy President made the remarks when he presided over the 33rd graduation ceremony at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, in Nandi County on Sunday.

He called on universities to upscale quality of research and innovation as the only way to attaining solutions to challenges facing the country.

“We should have sufficient resources towards research to generate new knowledge for creative economy,” he said.

“As universities you should dedicate yourselves to research and innovation and come up with solutions to the challenges facing this country,” said Mr. Ruto added.

Ruto said the Government was putting more resources in the development of education.

“We want to make education accessible, affordable, good quality and relevant to the needs of the country,” said Mr. Ruto.

“As a country, we have shortage of artisans, technicians and technologists and this is why we have resolved to establish technical institutions in every constituency to solve this problem once and for all,” added the Deputy President.

The Deputy President said universities should build on positive values of modern societal transformation.

He said such values should embody sense of duty towards the social, economic and technological development of the people and the county.

The Deputy President once again, asked the minister of Education to ensure no university in the country was established on ethnic backgrounds.

He maintained that the Government would not entertain the culture of universities being founded on ethnic backgrounds.

“It is often shame when institutions of higher learning take ethnic dimension instead of being centers of excellence,” said Mr. Ruto.

He added: “Instead of being centers of excellence, they have become hostages of village conclaves and ethnic meetings. And there will be no difference with clan meetings demeaning the value of education.”

“We cannot achieve quality education if we allow our universities to be established on tribal grounds,” added the Deputy President.

To the graduands, the Deputy President urged them to apply skills acquired creatively and fully to the numerous opportunities of nation building that were ahead of them.

“As you go out there, I ask you to apply the skills and knowledge acquired creatively in numerous fields to participate in your personal development and that of building the nation,” said Mr. Ruto.

He said the Government was improving infrastructure, energy and security among other sectors to make it easy for Kenyans to engage in their development activities.

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi told universities condemned the culture of students going on strike because of examinations.

Mr. Kaimenyi said universities should implement the recommendations made by commissions, which were formed in the past to oversee the education system in the country.

“Sometimes it is shocking that students in some universities resort to strike simply because of lack of water. This is strange,” said Mr. Kaimenyi.

He said the National Research Fund would be ready by next week noting that this will go a long way in strengthening research among institutions of higher learning.

He said the Government would not allow the establishment of universities based on ethnic backgrounds.

“Universities should be universal and engage in activities which can promote the national cohesion badly needed in the country,” said Mr. Kaimenyi.

Governor Cleophas Lagat (Nandi) said the county government will partner with universities to ensure quality education.

MPs Julius Melly (Tinderet), Elijah Lagat (Chesumei), Education PS Kipsang Bellio and Vice Chancellor Prof. Philip Maiyo among others were present.