Che-Newsletter-November-2012-February-2013
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CHE Assuring Quality NEWS Higher Education A newsletter of the Commission for Higher Education November 2012 – February 2013 PROF. SOME APPOINTED AS In this Issue Prof. Some appointed .................Page 1 COMMISSION CHIEF EXECUTIVE Editorial .........................................Page 2 New Vice-Chair ...........................Page 3 Ranking Workshop ......................page 5 Public lecture................................Page 6 Housing Finance ..........................Page 6 Trade Fair participation .............Page 7 Pictorial .........................................Page 10 Staff news ......................................Page 12 SACCO News .............................Page 12 Appointments ..............................Page 13 Bereavement.................................Page 14 Editorial Advisors Prof. David K. Some Prof. Florence K. Lenga Mr. Joel Mberia Chief Editor Mrs. Elizabeth Wafula Editorial Committee Mrs. Eliza Mbatia Mrs. Teresa Muthui Mr. Calvine Paul Oredi Mr. John Mutethia Former Commission Secretary Prof. Standa (right) hands over instruments of authority to the newly appointed Commission Chief Executive, Prof. David Kimutai Some (in Commission cap) Photography in a ceremony presided over by the Chairman, Prof. Ezra Maritim and the Vice-Chairperson PR Office Mrs. Jane Ngige (at back). CHE News is a quarterly publication of the Commission for Higher Education rof. David Kimutai Some officially assumed office as the new Commission Secretary/ (CHE). PChief Executive Officer of the Commission for Higher Education. Prof. Some has We encourage brief comments or served in several capacities within the university sector, notable among them as a Vice- articles on topical issues related to Chancellor of Moi University. higher education. Send in your articles to: His most recent appointment was as Chairman of the Task Force on Re-alignment of The Public Relations Office, P.O. Box University Education with the New Constitution, 2011. 54999- 00200 Nairobi. Prof. Some received the instruments of authority and operations in a colourful Tel: 7205000, 2021150 Ext 223/233, ceremony presided over by the Commission Chairman, Prof. Ezra Maritim accompanied Email: [email protected] or by Commission members. [email protected] [email protected] (Continued on pg3) ISO 9001:2008 Certified A newsletter of the Commission for Higher Education November 2012 – February 2013 | 1 Message From Chief Executive Prof. David Kimutai Some Chief Executive would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the harmonized quality assurance system nationally and regionally I important role that the Commission for Higher Education through collaboration with regulatory bodies in Uganda, plays in sustenance of quality in higher education in Kenya. Tanzania and Burundi. Embracing a harmonized quality assurance The Commission has made significant progress in re-inventing system in the East African region will ensure that there is itself in order to meet the expectations of stakeholders and to comparability of the quality of university education among the expand access to quality university education by Kenyans. The member countries which meets internationally recognized partnerships and linkages established at national, regional and standards. Affiliation to the International Network of Quality international levels has enabled the Commission to mitigate Assurance Agencies for Higher Education (INQAAHE) and various challenges in the higher education sector. African Quality Assurance Network (AfriQAN) has enabled the Commission to embrace best practices in quality assurance The Commission continues to align itself to national priorities both regionally and internationally. as detailed in Vision 2030 and within the current policy framework for education and training in Kenya. More focus The CHE Newsletter issue of November 2012 – February 2013 is hinged to the on-going reforms in university sub-sector as therefore, outlines some of the key activities and events that articulated in the Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2005 and particularly have taken place at the Commission. I believe the newsletter the Universities’ Bill which is at an advanced stage. The bill will provide useful reading to enlighten, educate and entertain will give legal mandate to the Commission to inspect, regulate not only our members of staff, but the larger higher education and safeguard provision of higher education both in public fraternity in the country. We have a duty to ensure that the and private universities in Kenya. This will ensure that quality, quality of university education is maintained in line with the relevance and standards in university education and training in mandate of the Commission. the country are maintained. Prof. David Kimutai Some Mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that there is a Chief Executive 2 | A newsletter of the Commission for Higher Education November 2012 – February 2013 New Vice - Chair Appointed Prioritise Quality University is Excellency the President Hon. Mwai Kibaki appointed HMrs. Jane Ngige to serve as the Vice-Chairperson of the Education Higher Education Commission for Higher Education with effect from 30th July 2012, for a period of five (5) years. Mrs. Ngige was appointed Minister Urges to replace Prof. Judy Mbula Bahemuka who resigned to take up he Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology, other national duties. THon. Prof. Margaret Kamar, has appealed to universities to embrace both institutional and programme quality for them to remain relevant in the knowledge- based global environment. Mrs. Jane Ngige Vice-Chairperson, CHE In the letter dated 17th September 2012, Prof. Crispus M. Kiamba, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology said “in accordance with Section 4 (1) of the Universities Act, His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of the Republic of Kenya has appointed you the Vice-Chairperson of Commission for Higher Education.” (Continued from pg 1) Representing the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Higher Education, Prof. Harry Kaane, urged the Commission to diversify its sources of income as continued over- reliance on the Exchequer would not be expected to assist the Commission to achieve its expanded mandate. Prof. Kamar made these remarks during a regional workshop Prof. Maritim urged the Commission to brace itself for the on quality assurance for universities in East Africa held at anticipated changes occasioned by envisaged Universities Bill Utalii Hotel from 18th – 22nd June 2012. The Minister lauded 2012 and the on-going restructuring of the Commission. the collaborative efforts made by IUCEA, DAAD, Oldenburg University and the regulatory agencies in the region since The former Chief Executive, Prof. Everett Standa highlighted key 2004, with regards to institutionalization of quality assurance areas that Commission had made remarkable progress among in the partner regional universities. them: Increased assess of university education, improved quality education, continued commitment to relevance, introduction “Universities should keep their ears to the ground in order to of criteria for university ranking, various research initiatives remain focused and relevant to the situational realities of the and staff welfare mechanisms. e-world” she advised. The Minister noted that comprehensive internal quality assurance should be in tandem with the In his inaugural address, the new CEO, Prof. David Some external policies as a gauge for “fitness for purpose”. appreciated the opportunity given to serve as the CEO. Prof. Some outlined the milestones achieved by his predecessor Commission Chairman Prof. Ezra Maritim termed the Prof. Standa during his six-year the tenure at the Commission. institutions as ‘gatekeepers’ of quality assurance hence directly accountable for the quality of graduates they produce. Prof. Prof. Some said that he would build up on what was already in Maritim also noted the need for institutions to re-think place to further realize the mandate of the Commission. The their mode of delivery while adhering to quality. “Expansion newly appointed CEO said he is up to the task and would do of universities, Vision 2030 and the new constitutional his best to see that the Commission promoted quality higher dispensation are some of the milestones in higher education education and was a force to reckon with, not only in Kenya sector the country has made,” the Chairman said. but also in the region. He advised staff that he had an open door policy but they should at all times observe protocol and chain of command in ...‘gatekeepers’ of quality assurance hence their duties. He pledged to work closely with all staff regardless directly accountable for the quality of of their position “as each one of us has something to offer”. graduates they produce. Prof. Some was invited to join the Comhigh SACCO by the Comhigh Chairman, Mrs. Mary Oyolla who outlined the broad mandate of the SACCO and the benefits to members. A newsletter of the Commission for Higher Education November 2012 – February 2013 | 3 State boosts funding for higher education, Kibaki says he Government has increased funding to the higher the HELB, he said. Teducation sector in order to support more needy students, The Head of State urged universities to supplement President Mwai Kibaki has said. Government efforts to avail higher education by raising funds Speaking in Kisumu during the award of Charter to Great for bursaries, scholarships and establishing financial