Uphold quality in all universities, CS Fred Matiang’i orders

New Egerton University Vice Chancellor Prof Rose Mwonya, Chancellor Prof Shem Wadinga and Eduaction Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang‘i during Mwonya‘s inauguration at the university grounds yesterday. [PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH KIPSANG/STANDARD]

NAKURU: Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i  has directed universities to enforce the highest quality standards to advance learning.

Speaking at Egerton University during the inauguration and installation of Prof Rose Mwonya, the institution’s new vice chancellor, Dr Matiang’i called on universities to ensure quality control.

“Today I read in one of the dailies how a form four leaver confessed to offering lectures and supervising a newly-established learning centre. This, for sure, is not the direction we intend to take,” he said.

The Cabinet Secretary also said that Prof Mwonya, who is the institution’s fifth vice chancellor, was picked through a vigorous and competitive process guided by merit.

He acknowledged the tireless efforts made by outgoing vice chancellor Prof James Tuitoek and directed that chancellors deal with tribalism and ethnicity in all public universities.

“It is a fact that we are dealing with a serious issue of tribalism in our universities. As leaders, it will be a failure on our part if we allow such important facilities to be converted into village clubs,” warned Matiang’i.

The CS said the government had set aside Sh31.2 billion to improve the quality of education.

In her address, Prof Mwonya said the university must advance the quality of learning.

“But all these will not materialise unless we pull our efforts and concentrate as a team to build a formidable Egerton of tomorrow,” she said. The new vice chancellor announced  that the university had received Sh600 million from the World Bank for expansion. Egerton University has three campuses and a college.

Prof Jacob Kaimenyi, who held the Education docket before moving to Lands ministry, urged lecturers to provide proper supervision  to reduce the rising cases of exam-cheating in universities.