USIU-Africa readies for new programmes with Sh600m centre

NAIROBI: USIU-Africa has opened a new science centre that caters for the university’s 6,000 students.

The Sh600 million USIU-Africa Science Centre will house 11 modern classrooms fitted with high speed Wi-Fi and Internet, three lecture theatres and 46 faculty and administrative offices.

Vice-Chancellor Freida Brown said the university will dig deeper into research and patent creation to benefit the continent. This, she noted will be through exposure and participation in social, intellectual, recreational and governance programs.

The centre will host Bachelor of Pharmacy that is scheduled to commence next month, under the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. USIU-Africa has partnered with GlaxoSmithKline to have students benefit from professional practical sessions.

The institution has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Machakos County to allow students do their practicals at devolved unit’s Level 5 Hospital to enhance learning.

Deputy President who opened the 7,500 square feet centre last week, challenged institutions of higher learning to teach relevant and market oriented programmes.

He called for minimum qualifications to guarantee quality education. “So long as management observes minimum requirements for operations as it happens in public institutions, nobody will interfere with such institutions,” said Ruto.

SELF-REGULATION

He was responding to USIU-Africa Chancellor Dr Manu Chandaria, who had earlier on, called for self-regulation of private universities, even as issues of quality are addressed. “You can regulate them for quality but leave them to run their own academic affairs,” said Chandaria.

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said the Government has set aside more than Sh3.6 billion to construct technical training institutes across the country.

He noted that the institutes will help align the education sector to the demands of the economy. “As a measure to mitigate the country’s shortage in technical skills, the Government has set aside Sh3.6 billion to construct technical training institutes in all constituencies,” said Prof Kaimenyi.

Ruto observed that universities and graduates must be trained to remain competitive, innovative and effective. “You must demonstrate leadership and professionalism to develop as industry leaders and excellent professionals,” he said.

“You must teach imaginatively if you are going to mentor innovators.”

HOTSPOTS PERMIT

Prof Brown noted that the university’s Internet infrastructure has been upgraded and students given hotspots permit to use wi-fi around campus, adding that the university spends close to Sh50 million annually on academic software alone.

She explained that the university currently receives about Sh2.5 million from Higher Education Loans Board for students but sought for more funds for students.

“The university also contributes over Sh70 million annually toward financial aid to needy students and employees,” she said.