Infrastructural developments at Daystar University

By Standard Digital Reporter

NAIROBI, KENYA: Since Daystar University was granted charter in 1994; the University has undergone tremendous growth in terms of student population.  Daystar University has embarked on a number of projects geared at improving infrastructure in all its campuses, in a bid to accommodate the growing number of students and also to keep abreast with the changing technology.

After the ICT building was inaugurated in 2012, the University started its next project; erecting the “Nairobi Academic Center”, at the University’s Nairobi campus. This building which is set to be complete by December 2014 has the capacity to accommodate all current students, estimated at 4500.

All PhD classes will take place in the building.  One floor has been dedicated to offices; another floor has been set apart for computer laboratories in order to allow students have access to modern technology. The building will have seminar rooms, as well as an auditorium that can accommodate 460 people. Additionally, a coffee shop will also be established in the same building where students and staff can interact between lectures or after lectures over a cup of coffee.

According to Mr. Jomo Gatundu, the DVC Finance and Administration, the modern facility is aimed at enhancing the quality of learning, increasing the comfort level of students as they pursue their studies, and over and above reduce the congestion at the Nairobi campus. The facility will also improve the ambience in the learning environment.

Technologically, Daystar University is developing rapidly as it now has a new management system; ‘Campus Vue.’ The system according to the ICT Manager, Mr. Paul Muinde, will cover the operational areas of the University including, the cycle of student life from application, admission, registration, examination and graduation to alumni status. The students through the new system will also be able to check their degree progress unit, access their transcripts and financial statements. This will greatly improve service to the students. It will also cover the payment process and human resource processes, which includes recruitment of new employees among other features.

“Many more developments are in the pipeline,” says Mr. Gatundu, adding that plans are underway to put up a parking silo and a new library building at the Nairobi campus. At the Athi River campus, Mr. Gatundu says a dam is set to be built in 2014, to permanently solve the perennial water problem at the campus. The dam will serve the University and the community around Daystar University. A borehole has already been constructed in line with the Machakos County development plans, to provide sufficient water for all residents in Machakos county.

Also in the interest of efficiency, the ICT department has embarked on the wireless systems upgrade. The upgrade is partially funded by Google and managed by the Kenya Educational Network. Universities through KENET have embarked on a project to prepare for the cable bandwidth in line with the vision of the ministry of   information and communication of making Kenya a world-class center of excellence in Information Communications Technology. The upgrade will ensure ubiquitous Internet coverage and access in the two campuses.

The University continues to invest in quality training geared towards making the students competitive in the market place. In this regard the University has endeavored to introduce market driven courses to meet the market needs.  It is for this reason that the University has launched PhD in Clinical Psychology, MA in Monitoring and Evaluation and BA in International Relations, among others.