Riara group prepares for new varsity

By Josephat Siror

Riara Group of Schools has edged closer to opening a university as the latest private investor in education.

The multimillion facility, which sits along the busy Mbagathi Way is near completion even as it awaits full accreditation by Commission for Higher Education (CHE). The administration of the pioneer private institutions says operations at the university are set to begin soon.

Recently, the group advertised for positions of Vice Chancellor and Registrar. Board of Trustees chairman Daniel Gachukia said the university had anticipated to start admitting students by May.

"Our facilities have been assessed and we are now waiting for their full accreditation," he said. He further noted that the university wants to comply before starting operations. Private institutions, which have applied for accreditation are, however, lamenting the slow pace by CHE in accreditation. The institutions also view delay as impediment to kick-starting education given huge implications on investment among them curriculum development, infrastructure and personnel besides other cross-attached financial commitments.

"The process is long and sometimes frustrating but we’ve got to get along with that," said Gachukia, who is also co-founder of Riara Group of Schools. CHE has issued 11 private universities with Letters of Interim Authority and two registered private universities as of September, last year, despite reviewing many applications.

CHE role

"So far the work of the commission has been limited to private universities," said commissions’ deputy head of public relations, Mr Calvine Oredi.

Riara applied for accreditation last year with admission forecast set for May. The group runs integrated form of education in the city from kindergarten, primary to secondary schools and now a university. The venture into tertiary education by Riara follows the growing wave of thrusts by private institutions aimed at filling the ever-growing demand for education in the country.

The university plans to offer eight degree courses. CHE has approved two; the Bachelor of Education (Arts) and Bachelor of Business Administration. However, the group says the remaining six will be resubmitted in due course for consideration.

Riara University seeks to fill the education gap whose drawback has seen thousands of students missing places in their quest to join public universities. In last year’s selection, public universities admitted 24,000 students only out of 82,000 who either surpassed minimum qualification or met the required marks.

Riara University seeks to ride on the fast growing technological crave by cutting down on the services of lecturers verses student ration.

"Our pedagogical practices shall mainly be student-centred, interactive and ICT," noted Gachukia.

The institution is projecting admission of more than 200 students in the inaugural academic year.

The other institution that has also applied for university accreditation includes Makini Group of Schools, indicating the competition in provision of education in the country.

Thirsty for education particularly among the working class in the country has forced many private institutions to seek elevation into university as they move to fill the gap left out by highest pass marks in public universities.