Utalii College in frantic search for lost glory

Kenya Utalii College has a strong relationship with the local hospitality and tourism. The institution is undergoing significant transformation as it seeks to redeem its once outstanding grip in the hospitality sector in the region. BUSINESS EDITOR JULIUS MOKAYA talked to Dr Kenneth Ombongi, the Principal. Excerpts:

QUESTION: Close to two years ago, a survey by a Government appointed-team established that the college was in a wanting state. What is the current status and what is the way forward?

ANSWER: The taskforce submitted its report last year in May with specific recommendations, most of which have now been implemented. We have also stepped up efforts to reclaim the status of this institution.

Q: To what extent have the recommendations of the team been implemented?

A: I can say that all of the issues raised in the report have been satisfactorily addressed while the few that are of long-term nature are receiving due attention.

Q: The idea of upgrading the college to university status was mooted over 20 year ago. Why has it taken so long?

A: The need to offer degree programmes at the college arose many years back and several efforts were made to this end. However, at that time, a real sense of urgency was not seen.

Genuine attempts have been made towards that direction in the past with varying levels of success, but degree programmes are now here. We opened our first-degree class in January this year. We are currently offering BA in Hospitality Management and BA in Travel and Tourism Management under a joint programme with the University of Nairobi. This, however, is a stop gap arrangement as we develop internal capacity to offer our own specialised degree programmes in hospitality and tourism not only at bachelor’s level but also at post-graduate levels.

Q: The Government recently pledged to restore the college to its former glory. Are there any specific efforts towards this?

A: The Ministry of Tourism generally and Tourism Minister Najib Balala specifically have done a great deal to this end. Expansion is key restoring the college’s waning glory. With the help of our parent ministry, we have now opened our first satellite campus in the Central Business District in Mombasa. In this financial year, Treasury allocated Sh300 million to the college as the first tranche for the construction of the long-heralded Coast branch of the College in the Vipingo area of Kilifi District. The current modernisation of facilities, which requires a huge financial outlay, is heavily supported by the Government.

Q: How are you relating and collaborating with other players in the hospitality sector?

A: Kenya Utalii College has a strong relationship with the local hospitality and tourism industry. Its funding is directly from the industry. Hotels, restaurants, clubs, and lodges serve as collection points for the three per cent catering and tourism development levy paid by every guest who visits these outlets. Over 60 per cent is channeled to the college.

Q: What is your vision of the college and the pillars driving it?

A: The college’s is to be a leading hospitality and tourism training institution. It has an adequate infrastructure to achieve this and has so far done well. My vision is to reclaim the high status of this institution as a centre of excellence. I want to see an institution run on sound and working systems to ensure that all the resources and efforts are channeled into making the college the great institution that it was meant to be.

Q: Lately, you have signed collaboration agreements with a number of leading academic institutions locally and internationally. What is the purpose?

A: Kenya Utalii College is gearing up for higher status in hospitality training. We prime to become a specialised university producing graduates with a unique blend of practical and theoretical disposition. To date, the college’s graduates are unrivalled in practical skills. As we move to the next level, we need to borrow best practices in institutions through benchmarking with giants in the academic world. Our collaborations are aimed at placing Utalii among the leading academic institutions.

Q: How have the current reforms been received by staff, Government and the industry?

A: As I have mentioned, all the adjustments we are engaged in are for the good of the college. The management and the Board would like to see courses that are answering the needs of the industry; we want to see a well motivated staff whose remunerations compare favourably with their peers both in the industry and in the academia. We wish to ensure the College meets the ever growing intake demands from eligible Kenyans.

Q. Kenya Utalii College is in the prestigious group of 32 global institutions designated by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation as its centres of academic excellence in hospitality and tourism training. What do you make of this honour?

A: We are glad that Kenya Utalii College was admitted to this coveted club of top cream hospitality and tourism trainers in the 1990s.

It is one of the only three such schools in Africa, the two others being in South Africa.