Review course content, Ruto tells universities

Deputy President William Ruto has urged universities to continuously review their course content as the basis of improving the relevance and quality of education.

Ruto said universities should take full advantage of modern technology in order to play an effective role in improving the lives of Kenyans.

“The rate of science, innovation and technology should be embraced by universities if they are to remain relevant,” said Ruto.

He called on universities to upscale the quality of research and innovation as the only way to attain solutions to challenges facing the country.

“We should have sufficient resources towards research to generate new knowledge for creative economy,” he said.

Ruto said the government was putting more resources in the development of education to make it accessible, affordable, of good quality and relevant to the needs of the country.

“As a country, we have shortage of artisans, technicians and technologists and this is why we have resolved to establish technical institutions in every constituency to solve this problem once and for all,” added the deputy president.

Ruto said universities should build on positive values of modern societal transformation, urging schools to create a sense of duty towards the social, economic and technological development.

Condemn strikes in schools

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi told universities to condemn the culture of students going on strike because of examinations.

He said universities should implement the recommendations made by commissions, which were formed in the past to oversee the education system in the country.

“Sometimes it is shocking that students in some universities resort to strike simply because of lack of water. This is strange,” said Kaimenyi.

He said the National Research Fund would be ready by next week, noting that this will go a long way into strengthening research among institutions of higher learning.

Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat, MPs Julius Melly (Tinderet), Elijah Lagat (Chesumei), Education PS Kipsang Bellio and Vice Chancellor Prof Philip Maiyo among others were present.

The deputy president made the remarks when he presided over the 33^rd graduation ceremony at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton in Nandi County on Sunday.