Mt Kenya University install a new VC

Mt Kenya University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Bibianne Waiganjo (left) with new VC Prof Deogratius Jaganyi (centre) and Prof Chacha Nyaigoti at MKU's Happy Valley Grounds in Thika yesterday. [Fidelis Kabunyi]

Mount Kenya University (MKU) yesterday installed Deogratius Jaganyi as vice-chancellor.

Prof Jaganyi takes over from Stanley Waudo whose contract has expired, having served as MKU vice chancellor for 13 years.

Speaking at MKU’s Happy Grounds in Thika, Board of Directors chairman Simon Gicharu disclosed that the university had tapped Prof Waudo’s vast academic experience and appointed him council member of the university and the chancellor of the proposed Mount Kigali University of Technology in Rwanda.

The new MKU vice-chancellor said he will continue to foster collaborations that will yield opportunities for research to boost innovations at the university.

“As I join Mount Kenya University, I will continue to give space for fundamental research as the foundation of innovation,” said Jaganyi.

He said distinguishing between what is real and what is virtual might become difficult in the near future. 

“These technologies are advancing at a tremendous pace. The concern is, how do we prepare our graduates to be very adaptable?” posed VC. 

“MKU will review and align the existing undergraduate programmes to competency-based curriculum and develop world-class, market-oriented and transformative academic programmes,” he said.

The VC said the programmes will be tailored to address the current and emerging industry and global needs. 

To mitigate effects of Covid-19, VC said MKU will enhance blended learning and teaching.

“This will be achieved by leveraging on current and emerging technologies to enhance access and improve quality of university education as well as investing in the development of premium digital learning platforms,” said Jaganyi. He said MKU will embed transformative research and innovation in the institution’s mandate to boost undergraduate and graduate programmes.

“In advancing scientific and scholarly knowledge, we shall develop a clear and unambiguous strategy for the development of future intellectuals, academics and scholars,” he said.

MKU hailed the outgoing vice-chancellor as a visionary leader whose tenure saw the university student enrollment go up.

The new vice-chancellor joins MKU from University of Kwa Zulu-Natal of South Africa where he was a lecturer.

Jaganyi has a PhD in Physical Chemistry obtained in 1992 from Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London, England.

Education Chief Administrative Secretary Zack Kinuthia was the chief guest during the ceremony.

Mr Kinuthia urged Kenyans to support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s agenda of mobilising young people to join TVET institutions to gain marketable skills.