Chepkoilel elevated to varsity college

By Titus Too and Tumwa Wekesa

Moi University Eldoret got a new constituent college after Chepkoilel Campus was elevated to an autonomous university college.

A new university college principal was installed Wednesday after it was gazetted last year as an autonomous college. Elevation of Chepkoilel brings to five the number of university colleges that have been hived from Moi University in the past few years.

The others are Narok, Kabianga, Karatina and Rongo university colleges, which have eased access to university education among the growing number of youth.

Prof Elijah Biamah was named principal while Prof Ruth Otunga becomes deputy principal in charge of academics and students. Prof Jacob Bittok was named deputy principal, administration, planning and finance. Biamah took over from Prof Battan Khaemba, who has been heading the institution in an acting capacity.

Implementation

Prof Richard Mibey, the vice chancellor Moi University, said the college was upgraded last August and that installing the new principal was part of the implementation process.

"The Moi University Council and its management are happy to be associated with the elevation of Chepkoilel to an autonomous college, which will ease access to higher education," said the don.

Chepkoilel University College has five teaching schools and becomes the only constituent college of a public university in the North Rift region. Prof Ole Sena, who was named the first chairman of the university college council, said appointment of the new officials was done in a transparent manner.

During the occasion, Biamah said the college — with a student population of 6,000 — has opportunities to expand its teaching programmes. He said income generating ventures should be started instead of relying on the proceeds from the privately sponsored students programme.

The principal said its advanced ICT technology would enable more access to education through e-learning and expanded academic programmes.

"The college is endowed with 1,050 acres of land and its proximity to the expansive Eldoret town is an opportunity to make more income through agricultural activities," he said.

The institution, Biamah said, has already trained more than 1,500 farmers on how to get more from their agricultural produce as part of its social corporate responsibility.