UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI September 2020
VarsityFA magazineocus of the University of Nairobi
UoN'sUoN's 88thth VVice-ice-ChancellorChancellor UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
Our Vision A world-class university committed to scholarly excellence
Our Mission To provide quality university education and training and to embody the aspirations of the Kenyan people and the global community through creation, preservation, integration, transmission and utilization of knowledge.
Our Core Values • Freedom of thought and expression • Excellence • Care • Good governance • Innovativeness and creativity • Partnership and teamwork
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Prof. Stephen Kiama installed as UoN's UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI 8th Vice-Chancellor
VarsityFocus 5 Published by Office of the Vice-Chancellor Director of Corporate Affairs University of Nairobi P.O. Box 30197 - 00100 Nairobi Tel: 020 4913193 Experts speak on Email: [email protected] COVID-19 pandemic www.uonbi.ac.ke
Copyright 15 University of Nairobi, 2020 All rights reserved
Editor John A.O. Orindi, mCIPR Alumni Association Assistant Editor targets 1000 students Pamellah Asule for scholarships Consulting Editor 19 Otuma Ongalo
Editorial Team Mariam Maina , mCIPR Peter Muturi Johnson Kinyua Brian Ouma UoN in talks for Peter Wekesa Esther Nekesa GIS Laboratory Peter Oluoch Naomi Nyaboga B.D Njuguna 32 Julius Thuranira Immaculate Kadikiny Silas Katam
Photography Charles Muriuki Students tipped on Kevin Wamola Peter Oluoch Huawei certifications
Creative Design 41 Kevin Wamola
www.uonbi.ac.ke 1 VarsityFocus Editorial team
John A.O. Orindi, mCIPR Pamellah Asule Otuma Ongalo Editor Assistant Editor Consulting Editor
Editorial members
Mariam Maina, mCIPR Peter Muturi Johnson Kinyua Brian Ouma Peter Wekesa Corporate Affairs Ag. Registrar Administration Career Services Office Advancement Office Vice Chancellor’s Office
Esther Nekesa Peter Oluoch Naomi Nyaboga B.D. Njuguna Silas Katam Corporate Affairs Corporate Affairs Career Services Office Planning Division Procurement Division
Immaculate Kadikiny Julius Thuranira Kevin Wamola Corporate Affairs Corporate Affairs Photographer/Creative Designer
2 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Editor’s note The new virtual reality in university education he education sector is reeling online lectures and examinations and huge investment involved in from the devastating effects of was poised to hold a virtual developing an academic to the level Tthe Covid-19 pandemic. All graduation ceremony on 25 of a professor or a member of the non- educational programmes have been September 2020. The University had teaching staff to top administrator affected due to the closure of also conducted a virtual inauguration level. educational institutions at all levels. of the new Vice-Chancellor in As the government directs more The abrupt closure and indefinite addition to holding many corporate resources towards the fight against suspension of on-campus teaching events and webinars online. These Covid-19, due consideration should and learning by the government in are commendable milestones. be given to the ongoing research in M a r c h 2 0 2 0 c a u g h t m a n y On the flip side, the transition to our universities targeting the universities and colleges flat-footed. online education needs to take into discovery of vaccines against Unable to adapt to the new consideration the plight of students infection by the coronavirus, drugs for environment where formal learning is from poor backgrounds and those treatment, and other long-term only possible through technology, living with disability to ensure that solutions to the pandemic. A budget many institutions resigned themselves they are not marginalised. Education boost for university research will to their fate. However, encourage innovation. A institutions that had invested stimulus package, granted i n d e v e l o p i n g t h e i r Going forward, the University of Nairobi to universities to support technological and human Senate is very emphatic that the blended their mission of knowledge resource capacity, like the development, will ultimately University of Nairobi, mode of delivery, involving online and help the society to recover intensified the use of face-to-face components, is the way to go and emerge stronger in the technology in order to post-Covid-19 period. This is c o n t i n u e w i t h t h e i r - JOHN A.O.ORINDI, mCIPR - what has been done in programmes. EDITOR Australia and the United The shift to e-learning at States to acknowledge the UoN was quick but not without its fair is a tool for empowerment and for value of research. share of challenges. The lack of promoting equality and at no time Going forward, the University of internet coverage in some parts of the s h o u l d i t c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e Nairobi Senate is very emphatic that country and the cost of data for marginalisation of some members of the blended mode of delivery, students were some of the problems the community. involving online and face-to-face that slowed down the transition to Universities are also staring at components, is the way to go. Virtual virtual learning. The University found massive losses in the wake of the learning will no longer be a choice a solution through engaging internet pandemic. It is costly to keep idle staff but an integral form of teaching and service providers like Telkom Kenya on the payroll. The slowdown in learning. and Safaricom to provide reliable i n t e r n a t i o n a l r e s e a r c h a n d The Varsity Focus team is proud of the and affordable data for learning. The collaboration activities has also exemplary leadership provided by partnerships with Google, Cisco, and impacted negatively on research- the University of Nairobi by adopting Microsoft in the provision of platforms related incomes. On a sad note, the use of technology to overcome the for online learning and virtual coronavirus infections have claimed bottlenecks brought about by the meetings also helped the University to the lives of renowned academics and closure of on-campus learning. Keep overcome the teething challenges. some members of the non-teaching it up UoN. staff at the University. The departed At the beginning of August 2020, colleagues will not be easy to replace JOHN A.O.ORINDI, mCIPR given their experience as well as the UoN had already conducted 10,467 EDITOR
www.uonbi.ac.ke 3 VarsityFocus Vice-Chancellor’s message Unitate et Labore! Unite in Labour for a better future University of Nairobi towards a financial reforms will lead to efficient trajectory of excellence. payment and receipts management to Firstly, we will need to invest our check revenue leakage while energies and resources in setting up a enhancing the optimal utilisation of comprehensive integrated data resources, reduction of wastage, and management system. This will entail review of the financial viability of re-engineering our business processes income generating units. These and embedding the use of technology r e f o r m s w i l l a l s o c o v e r t h e in curriculum content delivery; human procurement functions so as to resource management; financial maximise efficiency, increase management; student management, transparency and accountability, and including the administration of exams; deliver value for money. An efficient research grants management; and and optimal internal financial Prof. Stephen Gitahi Kiama, timetabling among others. ecosystem will allow the university to Vice-Chancellor Secondly, we will need to refresh our m ov e wi t h c o n fi d e n c e w h e n m a n a g em ent, a d m i n i st ra t ive, mobilising for external resources ngraved on the University of oversight, and governance structures. because of the assurance that every Nairobi logo are the Latin This will entail the elimination of cent received will, at the very least, words, 'Unitate et Labore'. E redundant and overlapping systems, render 100 percent of its value. This means 'unite in labour'. As a processes, structures, and reporting The net effect of these measures is an community, we are bound to this call. centres. It will also entail encouraging i n c r e a s e d u n i v e r s i t y v a l u e During my installation as Vice- the flow of power, resources, proposition, making us the destination Chancellor on June 5, 2020, I responsibility, and accountability to of choice for both local and appealed to all staff and students to the lowest levels. We will also need to international students, scholars, make every effort to recalibrate our institutionalise efficient decision and innovators, and industry. We are also collective culture and attitudes policy making and implementation at aiming at becoming the preferred towards teamwork, while upholding every level. knowledge partner for government as discipline and integrity; commitment Thirdly, we will need to embark on the regards ideas, solutions, consultants, to duty and scholarship; and path of fit-for-purpose training. We and policy direction. efficiency and excellence. shall relook at our university course I am confident that with the Indeed, with your support and offerings and assess the level to which implementation of these measures, we dedication of time and energies in they respond to market, industry, will be true to our mission, 'To provide honest service to our university, we are societal, and government needs as we quality university education and set to reach the promised land in also weed out redundant and t ra i n i n g a n d t o e m b o dy t h e building an enduring legacy of o v e r l a p p i n g c o u r s e s a n d aspirations of the Kenyan people and academic excellence. In faith, we will programmes. the global community through reclaim our glory and build an The three proposed interventions will creation, preservation, integration, academic edifice that inspires fresh go hand in hand with financial reforms transmission and utilisation of hope as we push the frontiers of geared towards institutionalising knowledge'. u n ivers i t y e d uc a t ion l o c a l ly, prudent financial management and regionally, and internationally. controls, efficient and participatory STEPHEN GITAHI KIAMA, Ph.D. In my inaugural speech as Vice- budget formulation mechanisms, and Chancellor, I shared with you my fiscal and budgetary discipline. It is VICE-CHANCELLOR considered thoughts on the path we my expectation that the proposed need to embark on to advance the
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From left: Former vice-chancellors Prof. Crispus Kiamba, Prof. Francis Gichaga, and Prof. Peter Mbithi robe the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, in readiness for installation. Prof. Stephen Kiama installed as UoN's 8th Vice-Chancellor rof. Stephen Gitahi Kiama was need to institute reforms. We need to Medicine pledged to attract the best officially installed as the 8th institute financial reforms and students from abroad as well as the PV i c e - C h a n c e l l o r o f t h e governance reforms even as we make best minds in academia. He University of Nairobi at a colourful key decisions based on data. We promised to enhance staff and ceremony held in Taifa Hall, Main need to re-engineer our business student exchange programmes with Campus, on June 5, 2020. processes’, he said. the best universities in the world. The Prof. Kiama took over the mantle from The Vice-Chancellor promised to VC further pledged to promote an Prof. Peter Mbithi, whose term ended eradicate the internal wastage of environment that fosters intellectual in 2019. resources. ‘We shall trim our coat curiosity and one that accommodates In his inaugural speech, the new Vice- according to our size, even as we divergent views in a university that Chancellor promised to institute negotiate with the government to nurtures knowledge creation. reforms and ‘steer the ship through increase funding to the University’, he C o m m e n t i n g o n t h e g l o b a l the turbulent waters’. added. coronavirus pandemic that has ‘The University of Nairobi faces tough On internationalisation, the widely rendered brick and mortar classroom times and we must act decisively. We published professor of Veterinary learning impossible, the Vice-
www.uonbi.ac.ke 5 VarsityFocus Cover story Chancellor challenged staff and Prof. Kiama, who is a family man, paid ‘Ensure the professor is happy and students to embrace the ‘new normal’. tribute to his wife and children. He also working. If you take good care of the ‘Online teaching and learning is here hailed his parents who, he said, professor, he will take good care of with us, forced by COVID-19; let us ‘persevered greatly’ to see him through the students and you shall succeed. embrace it. We cannot sit and wait school. Leadership requires teamwork and for the virus to disappear in order to Education Cabinet Secretary, Prof. team spirit. Always empower your resume normal learning. We may George Magoha, congratulated the teammates to work for you’, said Prof. wait forever’, he warned. n ew Vic e - Ch a n c e l l o r o n h i s Magoha. The Vice- Chancellor urged staff to appointment. He said Prof. Kiama has The University of Nairobi Chancellor, embrace teamwork. ‘I am not a a good track record in fundraising and Dr. Vijoo Rattansi, challenged Prof. magician; I cannot play God. I will building wonderful infrastructure. He Kiama to build a university ‘of the lend a listening ear to you. I will make cited the success of the Wangari people, by the people, for the decisions grounded on the rule of Maathai Institute for Peace and people’, while borrowing from law. With your support, we are set to Environmental Studies as an example Abraham Lincoln's definition of reach the promised land. Together we of the remarkable accomplishments by democracy. Despite the daunting can seize the tide and secure our Prof. Kiama during his tenure as the challenges that the Universtiy was ventures. Let us retreat to our stations Institute's director. The CS urged the experiencing, the Chancellor of work and embrace teamwork: Vice-Chancellor to take good care of encouraged Prof. Kiama to be a Unitate et labore’, he stated. the teaching faculty. dealer in hope. ‘A leader is a dealer in hope. Do not forget that you carry the great sunshine of hope for many. May you inspire your team to do the impossible’, she said. Chairperson of the University of Nairobi Council, Prof. Julia Ojiambo, appealed to the new Vice -Chancellor to embrace teamwork. She also challenged him to re-engineer the university systems and processes. ‘The task at hand is daunting: the burden of expectation is heavy. Please rally the troops and deliver the desired change’, she counselled. She pledged to support the Vice- Chancellor in his endeavours.
Prof. Kiama's installation was also witnessed by three former vice-chancellors, Prof. Francis Gichaga, Prof. Crispus Kiamba, and Prof. Peter Mbithi. VF
6 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Cover story A Chat with the new Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama was installed as the University structures and reporting centres. It will th also mean directing the flow of of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor on 5 June, 2020. power, resources, responsibility, and Varsity Focus spoke with him about his vision for accountability to the lowest levels and the University. the institutionalisation of efficient decision and policy making and What is at the top of your human resource management, implementation at every level. agenda for the University of financial management, student Nairobi as you take up the affairs management, research grants T h e W o r l d H e a l t h m a n t l e a s t h e 8 t h V i c e - management, and timetabling, Organization has warned that Chancellor? among other aspects. The effective Covid-19 will be with us for use of data will change how some time. How will you My priority for the University is to decisions are made, optimise the ensure the continuity of propel it to a trajectory of excellence by deployment of resources, and teaching and learning at the steering reforms in the data improve the systemic output. U n i v e r s i t y d e s p i t e t h e management system and also in Secondly, the University has over the challenges posed by the governance. years grown in size and complexity. To pandemic? We should invest our energies and stay in step with the needs of the resources towards setting up a university, there is a compelling need to The teaching and learning environment comprehensive and integrated data r e f r e s h o u r m a n a g e m e n t , has definitely changed and there is need management system. This will entail re- administrative, oversight, and to respond to the changes the University engineering our business processes governance structures. This will entail is facing. Covid-19 has brought about and embedding the use of technology the elimination of redundant and the urgent need to embrace online in the delivery of curriculum content, overlapping systems, processes, teaching, learning, and assessment. Immediately after the Cabinet Secretary for Education ordered the closure of institutions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the University of Nairobi drew up a plan of how to ensure the continuity of learning. The University has put measures in place to ensure there is continued teaching via the online platforms and will continue adapting to the changes brought about by the pandemic. We have made great strides with more postgraduate and undergraduate students embra- cing the new norm. Some of the measures taken to address the challenges raised about online teaching and learning include providing data bundles for both students and lecturers and training
www.uonbi.ac.ke 7 VarsityFocus Cover story them on the new mode of learning. We statutory deductions for staff. The University has performed very have also trained the non-teaching staff How will you address this cash well in its rankings over the years but on the platforms to use in order to work crisis? there is always room for improvement. online. I commend all the staff who have What is of the essence now is for all In 2017, the government introduced played a critical role in ensuring that students to embrace change, appreciate the Differentiated Unit Cost model to the University stays at the top of the the efforts the University is making and guide the funding of universities. This rankings. Together with my team, I will adapt to the changes. This is the only model calculates the level of support to give priority to aligning all our way to survive and mitigate the effects of be given to a university based on the resources as per the mandate of the this pandemic and ensure business number of government-sponsored Un ivers i t y to a ch ieve b et ter continuity. undergraduate students (Module I). performance. The implementation of this model has There is a skills-gap challenge reduced the amount of government How do you unwind after a among the graduates being capitation to the university and this has hectic working schedule? released to the industry, many created a big cash crisis. of who do not seem to meet the It had been anticipated that with the I love listening to country and Lingala industry needs. What is the increased number of Module II music. My favourite musicians include university doing to address this students the University would bridge the Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton and Koffi challenge? financial gap in the budget, but Olomide. I also enjoy reading books unfortunately the number of Module II by Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Chinua The University is following a path of fit- students has reduced. Achebe. Taking nature walks is also my for-purpose training. We will relook at To address this challenge, I am favourite hobby to invigorate and our course offerings and assess the planning to re- engineer the financial refresh my mind and body. level to which they respond to market, and support systems by introducing industry, societal, and government reforms that will lead to the reduction of Your concluding remarks needs. We will weed out any financial utility and ensure that we get redundant and overlapping courses value for the money we spend. I plan to As I roll up my sleeves and get down to and programmes. also spearhead the investment of work, I am conscious of the huge Additionally, we shall interrogate the intangible university assets for burden of responsibility weighing depth of our substance coverage in revenue growth. heavily on my shoulders. I am neither a terms of the delivery of curricula, As we pursue all alternative measures miracle worker nor someone that inculcation of practical skills, and to improve the financial situation of the posseses the monopoly of knowledge; I integration of industry needs in our University, I implore the government to am neither a magician nor someone teaching and research. We shall also consider reviewing the funding model that can play God. I am just the leader review our research exploits to for universities to augment the financial of the band! I promise to serve with encourage vertical progression in the needs of each university as per the honesty, diligence, and humility. I pursuit of new knowledge, and actual need on the ground. promise to be firm and fair, to lend a integrate the entrepreneurial spirit and listening ear to the concerns that will culture throughout our programmes. UoN has been ranked seventh be raised before me and to, as much among the top ten Universities as is humanly possible, make The University has been in Africa by t he African decisions that are grounded in law. experiencing a cash crunch Exponent and number 801 by over the years with only 25 the Times Higher Education In faith, we will reclaim our glory and percent budgetary support from World University Rankings build an academic edifice that will the government and problems 2020. How will you ensure inspire fresh hope and push the frontiers of university education locally, like the delayed submission of there is continued improvement regionally, and internationally. VF in the performance?
8 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Cover story Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology A sterling record of academic and from 2005-2010 and Acting Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in administrative accomplishments 2 0 1 4 wh ere h e h a d ser ve d previously as Associate Dean from rofessor Stephen Kiama Gitahi Assistant Lecturer in the Department 2003-2010. holds an earned doctorate of Veterinary Anatomy. Since then he Prof. Kiama played a key role in Pdegree in Structural Biology from has risen through the ranks to the conceptualising and actualising the University of Bern in Switzerland. He is positions of Lecturer (1995), Senior Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace an accomplished scholar with a Lecturer (2002), Associate Professor and Environmental Studies during his proven track record in formulating and (2012), and Professor (2016). Before tenure as Director, and also during his managing academic programmes. He being appointed as VC, he was time as Associate Dean as well as has over 16 years' experience in Deputy Vice-Chancellor Human Chairman of the Department of management and leadership positions Resource and Administration and Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology. at the University of Nairobi. also Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, In order to hone his strategic and Prof. Kiama was employed by the Finance, Planning and Development. transformative leadership skills, he University of Nairobi in 1990 as Prof. Kiama also served as Principal, re g i s t e re d a n d s u c c e s s f u l l y College of Agriculture and Veterinary completed a course in the Strategic Sciences from 2016 to 2019. He was Leadership and Development the Director of Wangari Maathai Programme at the Kenya School of Institute for Peace and Environmental Government in August 2014 (SLDP Studies from 2010 to 2016, No. 82/2014). Prof. Kiama has also Chairman of the Department of undertaken other relevant training such as the university leadership retreat under the theme “Personal E f f e c t iv e n e s s f o r U n iv e r s i t y Managers”, Mombasa, Kenya, (2004); an in-house training p r o g r a m m e o n fi n a n c i a l management and human resource management for deans of faculty of the University of Nairobi, Kisumu (2005), and Workshop on Training of Chief Internal Examiners, University of Nairobi (2006). Prof. Kiama is an accomplished scholar whose experience includes
President Uhuru Kenyatta with Prof. Stephen Kiama admires the model of the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies. The President laid the foundation stone of the building housing the Institute.
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s u p e r v i s i n g a n d m e n t o r i n g Pathology; American Journal of research career marked by high postgraduate students. He has Respiratory, Cell, and Molecular quality publications and success in successfully supervised and mentored B i o l o g y ; a n d J o u r n a l o f grant awards. He has an excellent 12 Ph.D. students and 14 master's Ethnopharmacology. record of visionary leadership students to completion. He has been B es id es aut hori n g nu m erous marked by success in the various a member of the University of Nairobi publications and attending national positions that he has held at the Senate since 2003. a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l s ci e n t i fi c University, coupled with a strong Prof Kiama's exemplary academic conferences, Prof. Kiama has a commitment to mentorship of and research career is also cumulative 29 years of research and undergraduate and postgraduate demonstrated via his publications teaching experience at various students as well as the faculty staff appearing in peer reviewed journals. institutions including University of that he works with. Prof. Kiama’s skills He has co-authored over 149 journal Nairobi; St. Andrews University in in attracting and maintaining and conference publications. Some Scotland; Free University of Berlin, networks within and between local of his papers have been published in Germany; University of Bern, and international universities and prestigious and high-impact factor S w i t z e r l a n d ; U n i v e r s i t y o f non-academic institutions have journals such as Nature; Nature Witwatersrand, South Africa; and allowed the cross-fertilisation of ideas Co m mu n ic a t io n s ; J o u rn a l of University of Ghana. and experiences and in the process Leukocyte Biology, Immunology, and The Vice-Chancellor has a unique catalysed growth in the institutions he Cell Biology; American Journal of experience of maintaining a vibrant has led. VF
10 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Special feature - COVID-19 the Covid-19 pandemic's disruption of UoN Leads Fight the traditional mode of learning. Against Coronavirus The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that he University of Nairobi is at the grants for containing the scourge. the guidelines and procedures for online exams had been benchmarked forefront in providing multi- As the pandemic continues, Prof. sectoral solutions, including against global best practices and T Kiama has urged the University hence their quality and integrity would i n n o v a t i v e p e d a g o g i c a l community to adopt the innovative not to be compromised. approaches, amid the Covid-19 crisis solutions proposed by the UoN's ICT that hit the globe early in the year and centre in order to continue discharging The admission of new students using altered people's way of life. the University's core mandate of the online platform is ongoing. The dreaded scourge, which was t e a ch i n g a n d l e a rn i n g. H e Researchers have also been facilitated declared a pandemic by the World emphasised e-learning and the to access their research grants in order Health Organization (WHO) on utilisation of digital content sharing to continue their activities. Further, March 12, 2020, has brought platforms to foster the continuity of online library resources have been virtually the whole world to a standstill. programmes as well as facilitate the made available to students and faculty completion of studies. in their remote locations. The Vice- The University has played a key role in Chancellor has pledged support and a “Necessity is the mother of invention. the concerted global initiatives to find a commitment of hope to Kenyans amid vaccine against Covid-19 and also ICT and ODeL departments have been the gloom that has engulfed the spearheaded local efforts to ensure training all staff and students on how to world. the continuity of day-to-day teaching, use the online learning platform that is examinations and research activities about to be rolled out,” said the VC. At the continental level, the African Union (AU) has appointed three by capitalising on its well-established The University is also working with University of Nairobi researchers to its virtual technology. Safaricom, Telecom Kenya, and other Science Technology and Innovations The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen service providers to provide data (STI) advisory board for Covid-19 Kiama, has confirmed that many UoN bundles for learning. intervention. The board will be staff are working with the government In an online meeting of the University advising the African Scientific, and leading global agencies by Senate held on Tuesday, March 31, Research and Innovation Council giving advice and educating the 2020, it was resolved that all faculties, (ASRIC) on the Covid-19 pandemic. public about the pandemic through institutes and schools should launch Finally, at the Institute for Development various media platforms. o n l i n e l e a r n i n g f o r b o t h Studies (IDS), Research Fellow, John Faculty and postgraduate students undergraduate and postgraduate Njoka, participated in the Civil from the UoN's College of Health students. The Senate approved further Society Forum to end Violence Sciences are providing support at the procedures and protocols for the against Children (CSO Forum) Kenyatta National Hospital and other online examination of postgraduate through the African Committee on the health institutions across the country. theses, projects, and dissertations. Rights and Welfare of the Child to Staff from the School of Law together Following this approval, the University develop a statement for the Africa with the Kenya Law Reform of Nairobi became the first Kenyan Union Committee of Experts on Covid- Commission and the Office of the learning institution to conduct the 19. He contributed on the need to Attorney General have been involved country's first ever online end of request the AU to seek solutions that in drafting the Covid-19 Bill, while semester examinations in order to are specific to Africa since the crisis some of the University's researchers provide students with the options to has affected the continent differently. VF have developed proposals for research completing their studies in time despite
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UoN dons join African Union Advisory Board on Covid-19 he African Union (AU) has appointed three a platform for dialogue among African scientists. The University of Nairobi researchers to its Science, advisory body serves as a voice of the scientific TTechnology and Innovations (STI) advisory board on community in building and sustaining continental Covid-19 interventions. research and innovation nexus. Launching the ASRIC during its Congress in November 2018 was a landmark The board will be advising the African Scientific, Research in the Science, Technology and Innovation impact on and Innovation Council (ASRIC) on the Covid-19 Africa's future and prosperity. pandemic. The scholars appointed are Prof. Francis Mulaa, Prof. Ratemo Michieka, and Prof. Dimbson The ASRIC Congress is composed of African scientists Bulimo. from all the African National Science Academies; National Research Councils; top Science, Technology During a virtual address to the University community on and Innovations (STI) Institutes in Africa; diaspora April 9, 2020, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen G. scientists, and partners. The Congress decides on the Kiama, congratulated the three dons. He said the implementation of key science and technology appointments reflected recognition of the contribution that programmes and projects. the University of Nairobi is making in science and In the wake of the unprecedented emergence of Covid- research. 19, ASRIC bears great responsibility to respond to the ASRIC is a specialised technical advisory body on challenges posed by the pandemic in Africa. The African Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to the African Union Network of Sciences has over 16,000 Union. The African Union Scientific, Technical and professionals and experts in its database of members. Research Commission (AU-STRC) is its secretariat. ASRIC The ASRIC Advisory Board Members on STI Intervention promotes scientific research and innovation in order to for Covid-19 is composed of eminent scientists drawn address the challenges of Africa's socio-economic from the pool of its members to advise/guide on how best development. ASRIC can respond to the Covid-19 pandemic utilising STI It also mobilises African research excellence and provides while building on existing African resources. VF
12 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Special feature - COVID-19 The UON team on African Union Advisory Board Francis J. Mulaa is the Director, Intellectual Property Management Office at the University of Nairobi. He also serves on the Vice-Chancellor's Projects Advisory Committee. Prof. Mulaa obtained his M.Sc. in Chemistry, specialising in Biochemistry from Donetsk State University (USSR). He joined the University of Nairobi in 1986 where he taught Biochemistry before proceeding for his Ph.D. studies in biochemistry at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. After his postdoctoral training in molecular biology at University College London, and German Centre for Biotechnology (GBF), Braunschweig, Germany, Prof. Mulaa turned his attention to malaria and pioneered the development of the gametocyte cell cycle of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, which revolutionised malaria biology. He was the founding principal of Garissa University. He was founding Management Committee member of the European Malaria International Ph.D. programme and European Union Malaria Graduate School. In 2006, he set up the Centre for Biotechnology & Bioinformatics (CEBIB) at UoN. Prof. Mulaa's expertise and experience have seen him serve on numerous national and international committees and advisory boards including the African Scientific, Research and Innovation Council Advisory Board on the African Union STI Intervention for Covid-19. He is a tech entrepreneur with more than three patents and startup companies. He has supervised over 20 Ph.D. students and published 90 scientific papers and books in industrial and environmental enzyme technology, bioinformatics, malaria biology, and engineering.
Prof. Ratemo Michieka has specialised in Agriculture (Weed Science) and Environmental Sciences. He obtained his B.Sc., M.A., and Ph.D. in Weed Science and Environment from Rutgers University, USA. He went for postdoctoral training at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) prior to his appointment at the University of Nairobi as a lecturer in 1980. He later became the Founding Vice- Chancellor of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology where he served for 13 years. Prof. Michieka was the Director General of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) where he articulated the dangers of environmental pollution and natural resources degradation. He was responsible for the production of Kenya's first report on the State of our Environment. Prof Michieka has done extensive research in weed science, with special emphasis on appropriate management systems, water conservation and food security. His studies in the testing of herbicides assisted in the recommendations of various weed control methods to farmers in East Africa and beyond. He is a strong proponent of using safe pest control management systems to avoid environmental pollution. Prof. Michieka is a member of several national and international organisations and has received many awards locally and internationally.
Prof. Dimbson Bulimo is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine. He has supervised more than 15 M.Sc. and seven Ph.D. students and is currently supervising five PhD students in the field of molecular virology and molecular sciences in general. He is a molecular virologist whose research work is based at the National Influenza Centre, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) working in collaboration with the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) programme, U.S Army Medical Research Unit, Kenya (USAMRU-Kenya), on influenza and other respiratory pathogens surveillance in Kenya.
www.uonbi.ac.ke 13 VarsityFocus Special feature - COVID-19
Experts speak on Covid-19 pandemic niversity of Nairobi experts in common virus that causes the common pandemic. virology, infectious diseases, cold, after rhinovirus. The first spillover ‘We have a lot of false information going medical anthropology, public from an animal to humans occurred in U around that causes panic and this leads health and economics took the time to 2003 in China. Research conducted in to blaming each other, stereotyping and shed light on the coronavirus and its 2019 revealed that 10 percent of bats in harassment. Outbreaks and epidemics consequences. Kenya have the coronavirus’, said Prof. hinge on human behaviour. We need to Anzala. In a livestream broadcast that reached understand how people perceive this over 22,000 people, the UoN experts Dr. Pamela Godia, from the School of disease in light of the prevailing culture demystified the myths surrounding the Public Health, provided the health sector and context’, she said. coronavirus, which was declared a response in the wake of the coronavirus Dr. Marybeth Maritim, infectious p a n d e m i c by Wo r l d H e a l t h invasion. She noted that Kenya has Organization (WHO) on March 12, received testing kits from the Centers for disease physician from the Department 2020. Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, and WHO. She urged the country to School of Medicine, explained to the Dr. Moses Masika, the session public the preventive measures that moderator, gave a brief introduction of maintain a high surveillance system at all points of entry. should be taken at all times, including the virus and explained that the name hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and ‘coronavirus’ was derived from its ‘Fever, cough, and difficulty in social distancing. She also demystified resemblance with a crown. Dr. Masika is breathing by an individual who has face masks by explaining how to use from the Department of Medical recently travelled from a country with them and their importance. Microbiology, School of Medicine. coronavirus infections should be tested. While addressing members of the Prof. Omu Anzala, a virologist and The elderly and those that are already public during the same panel, Dr. Joy immunologist also from the Department sick are more susceptible to infection Kiiru, Senior Lecturer from the School of of Medical Microbiology, described the with coronavirus’, said Dr. Godia. Economics, explained how the features of the coronavirus and what Salome Bukachi, Associate Professor in pandemic was affecting the already researchers knew about it. He noted that Anthropology at the Institute of affected Kenyan economy. She noted, bats were the carriers of the virus which Anthropology, Gender and African ‘The economy is already sneezing and has spilled over to other animals and Studies, said educating the public is very then to humans. important but this has not been done we are sneezing too. The global sufficiently on the coronavirus economy is very interdependent’. ‘Coronavirus is the second most VF
14 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Special feature - COVID-19 learning supported by over 400 and Google Classroom and Moodle Campus and the ICT Centre worked tutors spread across the country. LMS. Recorded video clips developed together to train the tutors, The University has responded to the and delivered by ODeL and staff from administrative and technical support current crisis by tapping into its the ICT department of the University teams in the use of online platforms existing investment in ODeL. were made available to the students for videoconference teaching and Immediately the closure took effect, with sessions on introduction to meetings. the University embarked on a Google Meet, Google Classroom, programme of training its staff and and how to download and upload 4. Courseware development students to enable them move their assignments on Google Classroom. and production teaching and learning to online The ODeL Campus has continued to platforms. The activities that have 3. Tutorials and learner support faculty to complete course- been undertaken to support this support ware development. The courseware transition are: Tutorial and learner support services for selected programmes is available for students are provided online by on the LMS while the faculty staff are 1. Capacity building for faculty lecturers, administrative, and b e i n g s u p p o r t e d b y O D e L in the use of eLearning tools technical staff. Learning centre instructional designers to develop The University has trained the coordinators located in Kisumu, more content for the LMS. A schedule teaching staff in the use of both Mombasa, Nairobi, Nyeri, Kisii, for the training of lecturers has been synchronous and asynchronous Meru, Eldoret, Bungoma, Kitale, developed to ensure that the modules learning tools to connect with Machakos, and Isiolo have continued that were in progress continue and students during this period. The to support students from their regions new writers join the programme as synchronous tools that faculty staff with information, training in the use of per the annual plan. This schedule have been trained in include Google the online learning platforms, access covers all the six colleges of the Meet which is aimed at enabling to library resources and project University. The instructional designers interaction with the learners in real supervision. Students in the courses from ODeL continuously undertake time for limited tutorial sessions that were ongoing before the p e d a g o g ic a l reviews of t h e and/or supervision of postgraduate l o c kd own h a ve fo r m e d a n d completed modules and use online students. The asynchronous tools such operationalised WhatsApp groups to meetings to give feedback to the as Google Classroom and Moodle facilitate tutor-learner and learner- writers. LMS will enable faculty staff to learner interactions. These virtual interact with learners at different times groups have proved to be very 5. Thesis and project super- especially to access courseware and effective in sharing information, class vision coursework. notes, recorded videos, presen- The University Senate approved a tations, links to join online classes procedure for examining theses 2. Enhancing students skills in and training sessions as well as online. This will ensure that the use of eLearning tools receiving feedback from students. candidates are not delayed for Students were trained in accessing Where links are shared through this graduation. The online supervision of and navigating the Learning medium, the members join through students is continuing through email Management System as well as their smart phones or computers on and video conferencing platforms. interacting with the content and the time. The issues raised from the Recently, three students from tutors. The students were also feedback are addressed immediately Bungoma and two in Nairobi i n t ro d u c e d t o t h e ava i l a b l e as the technical and administrative presented their research proposals synchronous and asynchronous support team is also part of the group. via Zoom. VF learning tools such as Google Meet To ensure effectiveness, the ODeL
www.uonbi.ac.ke 15 VarsityFocus Special feature - COVID-19
production, facilitate programme Virtual learning at delivery and learner support, and carry out research and evaluation of UoN during lockdown ODeL programmes and services. As a result of implementing this initiative, he coronavirus pandemic is a helped the University to transition to the teaching staff were trained to global phenomenon that has online learning. The University used write study materials which have affected all sectors in every its existing learning management T been converted and uploaded onto country in the world. In Kenya, system (LMS) and the multimedia the University LMS. They have also universities and colleges were forced portal where digital content is hosted. produced videos of their lectures to close abruptly and the teaching of The lecturers were also quick in which are available in the LMS. va ri o u s c o u r s e s a b a n d o n e d maintaining contact with their During this period of the COVID-19 midstream. The burden for managers students through social media crisis, students that were enrolled in of universities and colleges with platforms such as WhatsApp and to ODeL programmes have continued thousands of stranded students was teach using web conferencing tools learning through use of the multi- how to fill the gap and at the very such as Zoom, Google Meet, media approach. It is expected that least maintain some semblance of Hangouts, and Classroom. those students will sit their exams as normality. The open, distance, and e-learning scheduled and thereafter continue The University of Nairobi had to (ODeL) function of the University was with the subsequent semesters. Open, quickly find ways and means of revamped and re-launched in 2017. distance and e-learning allows adjusting by implementing its strategy I t s ro l e wa s ex p a n d e d a n d learning and teaching to continue of open, distance, and e-learning. strengthened through Statute XXXVI, even under difficult and special The University has a long history of hence anchoring it via a structure that circumstances that conventional distance learning dating back to the gave it the mandate to sensitise and classroom based learning cannot 1960s. The long experience and the create awareness in all programmes allow. Over 10,000 students spread adoption of new teaching and of the university, build capacity in across over 25 programmes in the learning technologies over time has courseware development and University have been going on with
16 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Special feature - COVID-19 or many years now, Dr. Collins Odote has been using digital Don advises on online Ftechnologies to teach and supervise his postgraduate students. teaching as momentum D r. O d o t e i s a n e x p e r t i n Environmental Law. He is also rises Director, Centre for Advanced Studies ‘Online teaching has a lot of Do not rely on live video in Environmental Law and Policy advantages over traditional teaching One should not use live conferencing (CASELAP). He has students spread in terms of flexibility in working hours, in every facet of the course because across the world. “Just recently I opportunity to reach more students, the quality of feeds cannot be supervised a Ph.D. student from easy communication tools and guaranteed. Recently, for instance, Sweden and another one from reusable online resources’, he there have been concerns about Uganda via Skype. Without these observed. privacy and security issues regarding technologies, it would be difficult to The don gave five tips that lecturers Z o o m , t h e p o p u l a r r e m o t e reach my students abroad or even can apply for effective virtual conferencing application. those within the country who can't teaching. make it physically to class because of Keep small groups other commitments,” the don told Design short lessons It is easier for students to coordinate Varsity Focus. Long lectures for ordinary classes can their time well if they are kept in small For Dr. Odote, news of universities be daunting for students and are even groups. Groups of not more than ten shutting down across the world more ineffective in online settings. Dr. can be useful for the purposes of amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and Odote quotes Marjorie Vai, an e- discussions, collaborations, and peer immediately resolving to teach online learning consultant and professor at critiques, among other group did not come as a surprise. Rather, it the New School in New York who activities. was a great opportunity for says,'The student should be enga- universities to invest in online ged; so no long pages of text or an Support struggling students teaching and learning because this is hour-long video'. She recommends In their study published in 2018 with the future of higher education. presenting information in 10-minute the title, ‘Online course-taking and chunks with varying formats. student outcomes in California community colleges’, Hart and other Focus on active learning researchers observed that almost To engage students who are not in the every student experiences some room during a lesson, a course type of performance penalty where should be a mix of discussions, they earn lower grades than they collaboration, video and audio clips, might have or they fail to complete the and hands-on exercises with text and possibly brief video lectures. course when they switch to remote learning. In order to identify such students, lecturers can simply ask the students if they have devices and access to internet or just their opinion about transitioning to online studies. The most successful virtual teachers conduct frequent assessments and check in on students via phone calls, emails and texts, especially those Dr. Collins Odote, Director, Centre for Advanced who are struggling to catch up. VF Studies in Environmental Law and Policy (CASELAP)
www.uonbi.ac.ke 17 VarsityFocus Graduation Over 8,000 graduate in 62nd graduation ceremony record 8,428 graduands were families, God's abundant grace and opportunities enabled the University to c o n fe rre d d e g re es a n d alignment of many factors, you have continue producing market-ready awarded diplomas during the made it to this day', she said. graduates', said Prof. Mbeche. He And 62 graduation ceremony of the The Chairperson of University of added that the University of Nairobi University of Nairobi. Nairobi Council, Prof. Julia Ojiambo, was ahead of the other institutions in terms of employability index, which At the fete, presided over by also congratulated the graduands and reflects preferences by employers. Chancellor, Dr. Vijoo Rattansi, Prof. appealed to them to live by the Patricia Kameri- Mbote went down in standards expected of the University of The Chairman of the University of the history of the University of Nairobi Nairobi alumni. Nairobi Alumni Association, Mr. Isaac as the first woman to receive the 'To our graduates of the day, we wish Awuondo, called on the graduating Degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D). you well. We hope that we spared no students to join the association and give back to their alma mater. During the ceremony, 737 graduands effort in giving you the best that we were awarded diplomas, 5,413 could. We hope that we contributed to 'The association eagerly looks forward received bachelor's degrees, and 54 making you a better version of to your connection with your alma obtained postgraduate diplomas. The yourself. We hope that armed with the mater in order to willingly give-back to number of those who received master's skills and competencies you have the community which nurtured you. degrees was 2,130, while 27 acquired, you will conduct yourselves You can do this initially by registering obtained fellowship awards and 56 with dedication and that our mark of w i t h t h e a s s o c i a t i o n w h o s e were conferred with Doctor of quality will be manifested through your membership categories range from Philosophy degrees. One Higher selfless and unblemished service to annual to life membership', he said. Doctorate degree was awarded at the both God and man', she said. The valedictorian, Bridget Neema, ceremony. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac from the School of Medicine, had an The University of Nairobi Chancellor Mbeche, paid tribute to everyone who inspiring message for her fellow congratulated the graduands and had contributed to the successful graduates. appealed to them to show humility completion of the study programmes of 'Do not fear failure but please be especially through respecting those the graduating class and also terrified of regret. Outside the cocoon who had supported them towards the congratulated the graduands. of the university, the consequences will achievement being celebrated. 'Congratulations for a job well done. be greater, the stakes will be higher. 'To all who are graduating, we are We are proud of you. We extend our When we walk out of these gates gathered here in your honour. I am appreciation to the people who made today into what we call “real adulting” ve r y p ro u d of yo u a n d yo u r it possible for you to complete your we will receive a lot of shut doors, a lot monumental achievement. Many studies. Your lecturers and the of rejected applications; way more no began this journey with you but a stakeholders whose contribution than yes', she said number fell by the wayside. By sheer through provision of scholarships, Varsity Focus congratulates class of effort, unwavering support of your m e n t o r s h i p , a n d i n t e r n s h i p 2019! VF
18 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Alumni
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama (seated 3rd from the left), with officials of the University of Nairobi Alumni Association (UONAA) and beneficiaries of the association's scholarships during the award ceremony on March 13, 2020.
opportunities bringing the number Alumni Association to 52’, he said. He observed that the Alumni Association would organise get-together events where well- targets 1000 students established and prominent alumni will network and support up to 1000 bright but needy students. for scholarships The University of Nairobi Vice- t was a dream come true for 52 year students, but overwhelming Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, bright but needy students from the applications were received from challenged the UONAA to play a University of Nairobi when they continuing students, signalling the leading role in branding the I university, supporting public received scholarships from the n e e d t o ex p a n d t h e l i s t o f University of Nairobi Alumni beneficiaries. lectures, and linking up with the Association (UONAA). Mr. Awuondo decried the low Office of Career Services for the Speaking during the event held on number of female students applying identification of opportunities for March 13, 2020 at the Vice- for the scholarships. “There were internship and mentorship. The VC Chancellor’s Parlour, UONAA o n l y 23 p e r c e n t o f f e m a l e further challenged UONAA to Chairman, Mr. Isaac Awuondo, applicants compared with 77 support student attachments and observed that about 4000 students percent male applicants. We need work-study programmes. The alumni have benefited from the yearly more sensitisation to ensure that were also tasked to come up with a scholarships since the Alumni more female students benefit. We data driven management system Association was established in need a 50-50 representation of the that will enable the University to 2005. He said UONAA would beneficiaries,” he said. track and trace the alumni whose support the scholarship benefi- ‘ T o d a y , 5 0 s t u d e n t s g e t number is more than 250,000. “We ciaries to access internships, jobs, Sh2,040,000 each, from six need to know how many of our work study programmes, and colleges and 16 schools. I want to alumni are CEOs, how many are in mentorship. The scholarship thank the office of Dean of Students, parastatals, government, industry, opportunities are only open to first- for providing two scholarship and Parliament among others,” he said. VF
www.uonbi.ac.ke 19 VarsityFocus Partnership West Indies don recalls the horrors of slavery
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, with Pro. Eudine Barriteau, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of West Indies, Barbados when she delivered a speech on the painful history of slavery in her country.
rofessor Eudine Barriteau, Pro- gender issues can be supported or passports. Vice-Chancellor, University of squashed by state power. She Prof. Barriteau paid a courtesy call on PWest I n d ies, B a rb a d os, pointed out that unlike the Obama the University of Nairobi Vice- recalled the tribulations that women administration in US which was Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama underwent during the slave trade, lenient and allowed gender during which they discussed staff and including low pay, rape, and identities, the same cannot be said student exchange programmes and separation from their families. The about the Trump administration. collaborations. She said the scholar was speaking on the gender 'Gender is not interchangeable with University of West Indies was keen on issues in migration in a talk delivered women or sex', she explained to the collaborating in the areas of medical on January 10, 2020 at the audience. She stated that most sciences, online executive MBA for University of Nairobi. Caribbeans have transnational health professionals, infectious 'The Caribbean was born out of families that hold family meetings via diseases, biosecurity studies, culture, plunder, pillage, occupation, and Skype since they do not have a home. and performing arts. enslavement. It is an amalgamation 'The concept of home is foreign to the Prof. Kiama agreed to support the of arrivals and departures; by force or Caribbeans', she said. s t a f f a n d s t u d e n t exch a n g e willingly. The Caribbeans are After the abolition of slave trade in programmes, noting that the perpetually on the move just in case 1834, one hundred years later University of Nairobi is strong in work comes. Immigration officers between 1940 and 1965, some collaborations with the universities in come calling among other reasons slaves migrated to Europe, and more the East and the West. The Vice- that may necessitate moving', she so the United Kingdom, mainly Chancellor observed that online and said. because the Britons encouraged distance e-Learning are the next Prof. Barriteau highlighted how migration and slaves had British frontiers of growth. VF
20 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Excellence UoN ranked 7th in Africa 2020 he University of Nairobi has offered. ‘To provide a non-academic League been ranked at position seven The University of Pretoria, University Table of the top universities in Africa Tamong the top ten universities in of Cape Town, and University of based on valid, unbiased and non- Africa in 2020 by The African Witwatersrand took the first three influe-nceable web metrics provided Exponent. positions respectively. University of by independent web intelligence sources rather than data submitted by The African Exponent ranked Lagos, University of Nairobi and the universities themselves’. universities based on licenses, Cairo University are the only accreditation by the relevant bodies universities outside South Africa to The publication also indicates that the in each country, mode of delivery of appear among the top ten positions ranking is based on 'academic the courses, teaching and learning, in the ranking. prestige, scholarly excellence, and VF and four-year undergraduate degree According to The Africa Exponent on intellectual horsepower'. and postgraduate programmes their website, the aim of the ranking is
1. University of Pretoria 2. University of Cape Town 3. University of Witwatersrand 4. University of Johannesburg 5. University of KwaZuulu-Natal 6. Stellenbosch University 7. University of Nairobi 8. University of Lagos 9. North-West University 10. Cairo University
This ranking is based on academic prestige, scholarly excellence, and intellectual horsepower.
www.uonbi.ac.ke 21 1
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1. University of Nairobi Chancellor, Dr. Vijoo Rattansi chats with Prof. Margaret Kobia, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service and Gender ahead of the launch of the University of Nairobi Council strategic Plan 2018-2023.
2. Prof. Julia Ojiambo, Chairperson of University Council with student leader, Anne Mvurya during the student leaders' mentorship programme.
3. University of Nairobi Executive Board, led by the Vice-Chancellor, sing the National Anthem ahead of the Nation Leadership Forum.
22 www.uonbi.ac.ke 2 3
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4. Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service and Gender, Prof. Margaret Kobia, presiding over , during the launch of the University of Nairobi Council Strategic Plan 2018-2023 early in the year.
5. University of Nairobi staff participate in the Annual Sports Day.
6. University staff led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs Prof. Julius Ogeng'o (second right)and students try out new benches donated by Qwetu Residences, a real estate company and partner of the University of Nairobi.
www.uonbi.ac.ke 23 VarsityFocus Partnership Gujarat University woos Kenyan students
University of Nairobi Chancellor, Dr. Vijoo Rattansi (centre) with Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama and a delegation from India at the Graduate Research Library which was renovated using a donation from the Indian government. The Indian delegation was led by H.E. Rahul Chhabra, Indian High Commissioner to Kenya, and Dave Vibhavari Vijay, Honourable Minister of State for Women and Child Welfare, Education (Primary and Higher) and Pilgrimage (extreme left)
he Gujarat University hosted a the programme by the visiting Rivatex Company in Eldoret and fair in Nairobi to unveil higher university and congratulated the recently sponsored the renovation of Teducation opportunities and Indian government for the idea, the Mahatma Gandhi Graduate scholarships in India. which he further noted, will help to Library at the University of Nairobi at The Indian university aims to attract bridge the gap in postgraduate a cost of $1 million', said Prof more than 1,000 students to study in studies locally arising from financial Magoha in a speech read on his 16 universities in India through a challenges. behalf by Mr. Darius Mogaka Ogutu, programme called 'Linking up with 'In addition, it will help reduce youth the Director of University Education at Universities'. The initiative was unemployment through production of the Ministry of Education. spearheaded by the university's Vice- competent graduates capable of Indian High Commissioner to Kenya, Chancellor Prof. H.A Pandya. c r e a t i n g s e l f - e m p l o y m e n t H.E. Rahul Chhabra, urged the youth Gujarat University, which was opportunities in our fast growing to take advantage of the opportunity established in 1949 under the economy', the VC added. to study at Gujarat University. Gujarat University Act, is the largest Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof. India's Minister of State for Women and oldest university in the State of George Magoha stated that India and Child Welfare, Education Gujarat. It boasts of well-equipped and Kenya are great partners in (Primary and Higher) and Pilgrimage, facilities and also offers a firm education and applauded the Indian Vibhavari Dave, said the country foundation aimed at producing government for the over 400 initiated the 'Study in Gujarat holistic graduates that are expected scholarships given to Kenyan students programme' to offer affordable to make an outstanding contribution annually. education. She said Gujarat is one of to the world economy. 'The Indian government has also the fastest growing and progressive Vice-Chancellor of the University of given to the Kenya government a states in India offering high-value VF Nairobi, Prof. Stephen Kiama, hailed credit of $30 million to revive the education.
24 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Partnership In 1986, when it was believed that 40-year link with HIV only affected gay men, University of Manitoba researchers tested University of Manitoba women sex workers in Nairobi for the virus. They found that 60 percent celebrated In appreciation of the longevity of the were infected with HIV, showing that he University of Nairobi and research partnership, Deputy Vice- women could, in fact, acquire the University of Manitoba (UM) Chancellor, Research Innovation and virus. Enterprise, Prof. Madara Ogot, said, Tearly this year marked the 'This partnership has contributed to 'I was only fifteen when this fortieth anniversary of a research the creation of new institutions within collaboration began and I can't pick collaboration that has produced life- the University of Nairobi such as any of my friends who have been in changing discoveries on HIV/AIDS Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI) close contact for that long. This is and other sexually transmitted and University of Nairobi Institute of indeed a flagship project that has infections. Tropical and Infectious Diseases impacted lives'. The celebration was hosted by the (UNITID)', Professor Kiama said. University of Nairobi STD/HIV/SRH The profound engagement between The UM/UoN partnership has Collaborative Research Group at the the two universities has led to received millions of dollars in funding Hotel Mayfair, Nairobi, on January important discoveries, including the from the Bill and Melinda Gates 27, 2020. revelations that HIV can spread from Foundation. It has also received The UM/UoN collaboration began mother to child through breastfeeding global recognition as a best-practice in 1980, when Dr. Herbert Nzanze, and that sexually transmitted diseases example of North-South research who was head of the Department of such as chlamydia and gonorrhea collaboration. Medical Microbiology, invited Dr. increase one's susceptibility to HIV Allan Ronald, a University of infection. Currently, the collaboration includes Manitoba research pioneer in the several other universities, such as the 'Immense results have been obtained field of infectious diseases (now a University of Washington, University from this collaboration', said the distinguished professor emeritus), to of Ghent, University of Toronto, University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Nairobi to study sexually transmitted McMaster University, and University Prof. Stephen Kiama. chancroid infections. of California. VF
UoN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama (centre) with Prof. Madara Ogot, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Innovation and Enterprise (left) and Prof. David Barnard, President of the University of Manitoba (right) during celebrations to mark 40 years of collaboration between the two institutions.
www.uonbi.ac.ke 25 VarsityFocus New venture UoN launches International Public Relations Programme he University of Nairobi classes began on March 7, 2020. urged the attendees to sign up for o f fi ci a l ly l a u n ch e d t h e Speaking during the launch of the the course because it will change Tinternational Char tered programme, Vice -Chancellor their perception of the public Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) P r o f e s s o r S t e p h e n K i a m a relations practice. The CIPR alumni programme. As one of the three applauded the University for the who spoke during the launch accredited centres in Africa, the leadership in promoting change echoed a similar call and described UoN will make a great contribution and growth in the PR sector in the course as a worthy investment. VF to shaping the communication Eastern and Central Africa. industry and strengthening the PR The UoN's course leader in the new practice. programme, Dr. Anne Gichuhi, The globally recognised course, elaborated that the CIPR certificate which targets professionals in the course covers digital communication communication sector, requires strategy, thought leadership, and CHARTERED INSTITUTE monitoring and evaluation. She 48 hours of classroom experience OF PUBLIC RELATIONS spread over six months. The CIPR
Prof. Stephen Kiama leads the launching of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations programme. He is flanked by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs Prof. Julius Ogeng'o (right) and Dr. Anne Gichuhi of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
26 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Scholarships UoN participates in Israeli agricultural fair he University of Nairobi show that brought together farmers The agricultural fair presented an participated in the 29th Arava from the entire Arava region to opportunity to tour the different farm TOpen Day 2020 held at the Yair showcase their agricultural services sites that were hosting UoN students Research and Development Center in and products. Over the years, this on attachment and get a feel of the the Arava region, Israel. Professor agricultural exhibition has earned a hands-on farming experience that John Kimenju from the College of reputation as an outstanding they were receiving. The University Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences professional event that attracts visitors sent 18 students to Israel for the third and Ms Naomi Nyaboga from the from across Israel. Visitors to the event cohort in August 2019 for eleven Office of Career Services represented this year interacted with over 200 months of training. the University at the event held on business companies displaying the The University, through the Office of February 12-13, 2020. latest innovations in agriculture and Career Services, has been partnering The open day was a large agricultural selling their products. with the Arava International Centre for Agricultural Training (AICAT) to offer hands-on agricultural training to the College of Agriculture students. This partnership is in line with the Big 4 Agenda on the promotion of agriculture and food security. Michael Mathenge, one of the 2019/2020 AICAT trainees, showcased his innovation of a motor- powered soil mixer, which is designed to save farmers many hours of sorting compost and soil before planting seedlings. Michael looks forward to turning his innovation into a product that can be sold to Kenyan farmers. Th e Ke nya G ove rn m e n t wa s represented at the fair by Shali Ngali and Abigael Magumba from the Embassy of Kenya in Israel. The Managing Director of the Agricultural Finance Corporation, Mr. Lucas Meso, was also in attendance. He promised to work with the Ministry of Agriculture on the possibility of providing financial support to the Kenyan exchange students with innovative ideas upon their return home. He said he would request the government to set aside land for them to put into practice the mechanised agricultural skills learnt in Israel. VF Gideon Kirui, UoN agriculture student on attachment in Israel.
www.uonbi.ac.ke 27 VarsityFocus Research Experts demystify locust invasion myths
Prof. John Nderitu
Dr. George O. Otieno
he Entomological Society of control methods. Prof. Nderitu further the immature stage insects feed and Kenya, under the coordination urged the government to send teams the weather conditions', he said. He Tof UoN don Dr. George with nets attached to aircrafts to also explained that 'The maturity O n g ' a m o O t ie n o, h a s b e e n capture the locusts for use in stage lasts 2-4 weeks after which monitoring the state of locust invasion manufacturing animal feed. The mating sets in and the females lay in Kenya. Dr. Ong'amo revealed that experts said that the locusts came eggs three times at intervals of 7-10 the invasion is not necessarily from Yemen through Ethiopia then days. Therefore, depending on confined to the arid and semi-arid down to Kenya following the heavy weather conditions, the lifespan of areas but is spread across the rainfall that the country experienced the mature stage is 35-50 days'. country. The expert attributed the late last year. On the behaviour of the insects spread of the locusts to cyclones, D r. O n g ' a m o d e scri b e d t h e towards the end of their life cycle, Dr. young age of the insects, and a fast characteristics of the locusts during Ong'amo stated that there was a rate of breeding. different stages of the lifecycle. drastic reduction in the feeding 'It was assumed that the locusts would 'Yellow colour is an indication of behaviour. 'Mature stage is not a be here for a short time. However, the maturity but not a dying locust', he feeding stage. They (insects) just rate at which they are breeding is said adding that 'At a later age when move from one location to another to alarming. The change in climate the yellow colour of the insects assess suitable breeding ground with patterns has also aggravated the becomes brighter, they start mating little feeding for survival but not to situation', he explained. and laying eggs and at this stage we accumulate energy. Therefore, they are not voracious like the immature Professor of Agriculture, John can say that they are dying'. ones and they do not cause much Nderitu, stated that the chemical According to the scientist, it is only harm to vegetation', he added. At aerial spray being used to combat the possible to determine the point at the mature stage, a swarm does not locusts was not effective. He which egg laying begins if one has move together but splits into several recommended the adoption of an been following the life cycle of a swarmlets; flying to different integrated pest management swarm from the immature stage up to locations. VF approach instead, which includes maturity. 'The duration of the biological, mechanical and chemical maturity period depends on how well
28 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Internationalisation School of Law joins Global Campus of Human Rights he University of Nairobi's Commenting on this major step by sharing; collaborative research School of Law has joined the the School of Law, the dean, Prof. grants, projects, and conferences; Tprestigious Global Campus of Kiarie Mwaura, had this to say: joint supervisions and publications; Human Rights. 'Acceding to the Global Campus of a n d o f f e r i n g j o i n t d e g r e e The Global Campus of Human Rights Human Rights, which is currently programmes. is a European Union-funded network leading the United Nations Global Prof. Mwaura further observed that of universities based on cooperation Study on Children Deprived of t h e g l o b a l i n t e r - u n i v e r s i t y between the European Inter- Liberty, gives us a unique opportunity cooperation also provides an University Centre for Human Rights for cooperation in a myriad of opportunity to reflect on humanity and Democratisation (EIUC) and areas'. and appreciate that by sharing seven regional programmes. The dean identified the following as interconnectedness and vulnerability With a composition of one hundred potential areas for cooperation: the country shall discover its strength research intensive universities, it is student and staff exchanges; in the post Covid-19 world. the largest university network in the t e a c h i n g a n d c u r r i c u l u m world specialising in human rights 'As we go through this time of global development; online teaching health emergency, legal scholars and democracy. The staff of EIUC c o l l a b o ra t i o n s ; m o o t c o u r t consists of world renowned and practitioners will be required to competitions; and professional support the government's Big 4 personalities for their leading role in development for staff. He also education, research, and advocacy Agenda for economic development outlined the exchange of knowledge as well as the United Nations i n h u m a n r i g h t s a n d and information through reports, democratisation. Sustainable Development Goals', he publications and training; resource said. VF
From left: Justice Philomena Mwilu, Deputy Chief Justice; Dr. Willy Mutunga, former Chief Justice; David Maraga, Chief Justice; and Paul Kihara Kariuki, Attorney General witness the admission of the School of Law to the Global Campus of Human Rights.
www.uonbi.ac.ke 29 VarsityFocus Partnership Budding engineers to get boost from Israel
Israel Deputy Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Eyal David, speaks to engineering students during the Engineering Students Symposium.
ngineering students have been under an ongoing eleven-month creativity to grow the economy. challenged to come up with internship programme. During this Microsoft and Apple were started by Esolutions to climate change and period, the students learn about some young people like you', said Prof. to exchange ideas with leading of the agribusiness techniques that Kiama in a speech which was read on innovators in the world. have enabled Israel to become the his behalf by Prof. Enos Njeru, Speaking during the Inter-university 'bloom in the desert'. The aim of the Principal of the College of Humanities Engineering Students Symposium, programme is to offer experiential and Social Sciences (now acting Israel Deputy Ambassador to Kenya, learning and help the students to gain Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Human H.E. Eyal David, said his country is skills that they can practise once they Resource and Administration). ready to support students' innovations. are back in the country. The The two-day conference brought 'Israel is very strong in innovation. We Ambassador challenged more together participants from academia, are ready to share our technology, our students to enrol for the yearly industry, and government. It was an experiences and our expertise with programme after completing their opportunity for students to forge new you', he said during the symposium studies. frontiers with the industry players and whose theme was 'Going Green'. The University of Nairobi Vice- to share knowledge. The other local The engineering students were Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, universities represented during the encouraged to embrace farming and challenged the students to also conference were Kenyatta University, develop technologies for improving become active in the areas of Baraton University of East Africa, and farm yields and tackling climate a f f o r d a b l e h o u s i n g a n d Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture change. They were also encouraged to manufacturing, which are some of the and Technology. Participants from visit Israel under the 'Mashav' pillars of the Big Four Agenda of the Makerere University and Kyambogo programme based in Arava, Telaviv. government's development priorities. University of Uganda also attended the Over the last five years, more than 100 'Manufacturing can be a game fair. VF Kenyan students have travelled to Israel changer for our country. We need your
30 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Development Scholars share ideas on global value chains orld Bank Group's Chief that GVCs powered the surge of V i c t o r y F i s h a r e l e v e r a g i n g Ec o n o m i st, P rofe sso r international trade after 1990 and now technologies like Blockchain to WP i n e l o p i K o u j i a n o u account for almost half of all trade. streamline value chains, enable the farmers to gain from their produce and Goldberg made a presentation at the According to the renowned economist, provide financing. These unique University of Nairobi on the World who is also known for her expertise on inclusivity solutions are partly the Development Report 2020 released by issues facing the developing world, reason why poverty in Kenya declined the World Bank. The title of the report is GVCs at one point resulted in an from 46.8 percent in 2006 to 36.1 'Trading for Development in the Age of unprecedented economic convergence percent in 2016', he said. Global Value Chains'. where poor countries grew rapidly and Professor Goldberg explained the began to close the gap with richer Prof. Ogeng'o indicated that it would benefits of global value chains and countries. She indicated that the slump be important for the University of suitable environments for their in trade arising from the 2008 global Nairobi to pursue further the debate on implementation as the developing financial crisis had a negative impact global value chains as a strategy for countries try to find their place in the on the expansion of GVCs. Other enhancing Kenya's international trade international trade arena. factors such as new technologies and and reducing poverty especially within conflicts among large countries also the framework of devolved governance 'A global value chain breaks up the h a d a b e a ri n g o n t h e fu t u re structures. production process across countries. performance of GVCs. Firms specialise in a specific task and 'As a university interested in research for development, I welcome research do not produce the whole product. Bringing the discussion home, Prof. and greater discourse in value chains GVCs can continue to boost growth, Goldberg explained the Kenyan as a strategy to grow our exports to create better jobs, and reduce poverty situation in relation to GVCs. 'Kenya's regions such as the Middle East or at provided that developing countries GVC participation is subdued. Between least improve the local distribution of undertake deeper reforms and 1990 and 2015, Kenya transitioned food from areas of surplus to areas of industrial countries pursue open, from a commodity-based GVC deficit so as to discourage unnecessary predictable policies', said Prof. participation to limited manufacturing; importations', he said. Goldberg during the public lecture mainly agribusiness and apparel. held on January 20, 2020. She stated Kenya's GVC participation grew by While looking at the potential of global a b o u t 1 0 value chains for poverty reduction, Prof. percentage points Karuti Kanyinga, Director, Institute for in the past 25 Development Studies, emphasised the years yet GVC need for policy continuity and policy linkages are still stability to promote growth in weaker than the developing countries. A panel global average'. discussion moderated by Prof. Bitange Ndemo from the School of Business D e p u t y V i c e - brought out important issues in the C h a n c e l l o r , evolving trade environment. The Academic Affairs, panellists were Prof. Goldberg; Dr. P r o f . J u l i u s Anastasia Nyalita of Kenya Healthcare O g e n g ' o Federation; Prof. Murang'a Njihia, contributed to the Dean, School of Business; and Dr. Paul discussion using Ka m a u f ro m t h e I n s t i t u t e f o r examples of the Development Studies. situation in Kenya. Editor's Note: Professor Pinelopi 'In Kenya, some Goldberg left the World Bank Group World Bank Group's Chief Economist, Professor Pinelopi organisations like Koujianou Goldberg delivering a speech on global value and is now the Elihu Professor of Twiga Foods and chains at Chandaria Auditorium for Performing Arts. Economics at Yale University. VF
www.uonbi.ac.ke 31 VarsityFocus ent elopm v De Elimika empowering the youth
Makueni Senator, Mutula Kilonzo Junior (left) with other leaders during the Elimika Wajibika forum in Makueni. The Elimika programme aims at empowering the youth to address their challenges.
oung people were challenged notebook and aiming for the highest that monitors social media and cyber to improve their soft skills such standards of integrity, hard work, and security. I went to Germany and found Yas emotional intelligence and attention to detail. young people fixing Bosch engines', personal development as they seek The senator stressed the importance he said. opportunities in the marketplace. of mentorship where experts in their Quoting Martin Luther King Jr. and Makueni Senator, Mutula Kilonzo fields of trade coach young people Winston Churchill, the senator urged Junior, posed this challenge to the to become the best they can be. He young people to remain optimistic youth during a workshop hosted by the encouraged the youth to make use even when faced with difficult University of Nairobi Elimika Initiative of t h e 30 p erc ent wor t h of situations because the future was not at the Acacia Resort in Makueni. government procurement tenders necessarily bleak. The workshop, which took place on reserved for women, the youth, and Elimika Initiative is a programme that January 22, 2020, was sponsored by persons living with disability. has been running since 2013 and the Ford Foundation in partnership According to the senator, young has covered all the 47 counties in with the Elimika Initiative and the people were not aggressive in Kenya to discuss with young people Makueni County Government. Youth p u r s u i n g t h e s e t e n d e r s. H e how they can improve their economic leaders from across the country shared challenged the government about activities, create wealth, improve experiences on leadership. the absence of young people in the security, and generally handle the The Makueni Senator recalled his cabinet despite the provision for the challenges facing the youth. The years as a young advocate in his same in the law. programme is funded by the Ford father's law firm and the lessons 'Young people must begin to talk and Foundation and is run by Prof. Judith passed down to him by one of Kenya's take part in the development of our Bahemuka of the Department of greatest legal minds. '“Do something economy', observed Senator Kilonzo Sociology and Chairperson of well or don't touch it at all”, my father Junior who pointed out that this was UNESCO/UNITWIN Chair on would tell me', he said. The Senator's happening in other parts of the world. Women, Education, Health and father also taught him the importance 'I went to Japan and found young Sustainable Development. VF of capturing his aspirations clearly in a people busy manning the equipment
32 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Partnership
Mr. Bett said that apart from UoN in talks for GIS Laboratory geography, GIS can also be used in a he University of Nairobi, in 'Esri is keen on having a GIS variety of disciplines, including c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e laboratory in every campus. We are history, mathematics, language, arts, TEnvironmental Systems Research particularly keen in an area of environmental studies, chemistry, Institute, Esri Eastern Africa, is set to excellence for GIS at the University of biology, civics, security, and medicine. establish a geographic information Nairobi,” said Mr. Judah arap Bett, the Prof. Kiama also highlighted the role system (GIS) laboratory at the Managing Director, Esri Eastern Africa, of GIS in the application of data and Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace when he paid a courtesy call on the its importance to research and and Environmental Studies. GIS offers University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor teaching. 'This initiative is important a powerful decision-making toolkit that Prof. Stephen Kiama. Esri Eastern for us as an institution of higher can be used in educational Africa is the regional office of the learning. GIS technologies will not administration, policy, and teaching. global Environmental Systems only equip our students and Students and researchers can make Research Institute that deals in researchers with skills but also expose use of GIS to understand content in a geographic information systems and them to new possibilities in their variety of disciplines. related products. various field', he said. VF
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, with Mr. Judah arap Bett, Managing Director, Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri Eastern Africa)
www.uonbi.ac.ke 33 VarsityFocus Mentorship PwC hunts for UoN graduates
team of recruiters from countries. 'This, therefore, provides a apply for the programme. The PricewaterhouseCoopers global network and exposure selected students will go through A(PwC) conducted a graduate especially for young graduates to tailored training, learning, and recruitment drive at the University of learn, grow, and develop into the development programmes that are Nairobi's School of Business at Lower accomplished professionals that they a i m e d a t b u i l d i n g s t r o n g Kabete targeting students from the aspire to become', he said. foundational skills in the different School of Business, School of The 2020 PwC graduate recruitment lines of services offered by PwC. The UoN alumni at PwC shared their Mathematics, and School of programme, whose theme is 'Be part experiences. Paul Mwiti, a Bachelor Economics. The PwC team comprised of something special', offers students of Economics graduate in 2019 said officers from various departments, a great global working experience to the firm offers highly streamlined including Insurance, Tax, Advisory, make a difference, build lasting services and is very supportive of its and Internal Firms Services. relationships for personal growth, employees on personal matters. Dr. Githii Wainaina, Associate Dean and be recognised for outstanding Other alumni who shared their a t t h e S c h o o l o f B u s i n e s s , contributions. The sensitisation experiences include Rosemary encouraged the students to take session was attended by the Director, Mundia, Victoria Kibugi, Eliud Ian, advantage of the opportunity and Office of Careers Services, Mr. and Joshua Kaunda who are apply for the graduate trainee Johnson Kinyua. He encouraged the Bachelor of Commerce graduates programmes offered by PwC. students to not only apply for the with specialisation in Finance; and graduate trainee programme but also Mr. Benson Okundi, Partner and Edwi n Ka g o, a g ra d u a te of take the advice given by the employer Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Economics and Statistics. PwC was and use it to make a difference in their said the main purpose of the firm is to targeting graduates of the 2019 class build trust in society and solve academic and professional lives. as well as those who completed their important problems. He said PwC The team from PwC welcomed coursework and were expected to has over 250,000 employees in 158 graduates from all disciplines to graduate by September 2020. VF
34 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Mentorship UoN hosts induction of Ajira Digital interns he University of Nairobi hosted Affairs, Ms Nadia Abdalla. Also the public sector to create digital work. the induction of 250 Ajira Digital present was the Deputy Vice - Dr. Catherine Getao, the ICT Authority Tprogramme interns from January Chancellor Academic Affairs, Chief Executive Officer, said the 27 to 31, 2020. The induction involved University of Nairobi, Prof. Julius M i n i s t r y o f I C T h a d va rio u s training the interns with the aim of Ogeng'o among other key partners. programmes aimed at building imparting knowledge and skills to Mr. Ochieng noted that the formal capacity among the youth to enable enable them work and earn a decent employment sector has not been them secure opportunities in the job income online. The training also growing proportionately with the market. covered the operations of government demand for jobs. It is in view of this that structures. The interns were urged to All the 250 interns will be posted to the government established a broad different county information offices uphold the high values and principles range of interventions to deal with the o f p u b l i c s e r v i c e s u c h a s nationwide. They were urged to support growing rate of unemployment with the implementation of the Ajira Digital accountability, efficiency, and specific attention to the youth. transparency as they discharge their Programme and offer technical duties. The Ajira Digital Programme is one of support while also sharing their the measures taken to provide solutions innovativeness to help the government The induction programme was graced to unemployment. The aim of the deliver the digital economy promise by top government officials from the programme is to introduce young and transform individuals, families, Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth people to online work and provide and the country. Affairs including Cabinet Secretary, them with the necessary tools, Mr. Joe Mucheru; Principal Secretary, The one-year internship programme will training, and mentorship to pursue offer mentorship, net working State Department for ICT & Innovation, online opportunities. Mr. Jerome Ochieng; Principal opportunities, and experience to the Secretary, State Department of Prof. Julius Ogeng'o said the Ajira youth to enable them develop Broadcasting and Telecommu- initiative would empower millions of p r o f e s s i o n a l l y a n d b e c o m e nications, Ms. Esther Koimett; Chief young people to access digital and employable in the private and public Administrative Secretary, ICT, digitally-enabled job opportunities and sectors. Broadcasting and Telecomm- position Kenya as a labour destination The key players who contributed to the unication, Ms Maureen Mbaka; and for multinational companies. He success of the Ajira Digital programme Chief Administrative Secretary, State observed that the programme would include the Ministry of ICT, Huawei, Department of Innovation and Youth also encourage local companies and and Mastercard Foundation. VF
University of Nairobi students being trained in Ajira Digital Skills, a programmme by the State Department for ICT & Innovation.
www.uonbi.ac.ke 35 VarsityFocus Partnership UoN signs agreements with Indian universities he University of Nairobi signed opportunities for staff and students to The Chancellor highlighted the five collaborative agreements explore', she said. Minister Vijay contribution of the Indian community Twith Indian universities to noted that the university system of to the University of Nairobi, including strengthen the partnership between education yearns for knowledge, the construction of Mahatma Gandhi the University and India, which goes growth and development. She building and Mahatma Gandhi back many years. observed that Kenya and India Graduate Library. The deal was struck when a enjoyed strong bonds. P r o f. K i a m a s u p p o r t e d t h e delegation led by Dave Vibhavari Prof. Himanshu Pandya, Vice- collaborations, saying that the Vijay, Honourable Minister of State Chancellor, Gujarat University, University will be interested in for Women and Child Welfare, highlighted the high number of exploring the enormous opportunities Education (Primary and Higher) and patents registered by his university. for staff and students. The potential Pilgrimage paid a courtesy call on the 'We have registered 500 patents in areas of collaboration include Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen the last two years. Patent fees and agriculture, medicine, education, Kiama. copyright are fully funded by the health sciences, oil and gas, engineering, innovation, humanities, Speaking during the event on government. We are seeking staff and social sciences. February 14, 2020, Minister Vijay and student research collaboration said there is need for deeper with the University of Nairobi', he The University of Nairobi signed collaboration and programme said. MoUs with Pandit Deendayal exchange between the University of Dr. Vijoo Rattansi, Chancellor of the Pe t ro l eu m Un ive rs i t y, Ni ra m Nairobi and Indian universities' staff University of Nairobi, highlighted the University, Gujarat University, and students. 'We have a vibrant long-standing relations between Ahmedabad University, and RK e d u c a t i o n, t e ch n o l o gy, a n d Kenya and India dating back to 1900 University. The delegation also innovation system in India where when labourers from India arrived in inspected the development projects in students' technology and innovation t h e c o u n t r y t o b u i l d t h e the University funded by the Indian ideas are funded. We have excellent Kenya/Uganda Railway. Government. VF
Prof. Stephen Kiama, University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor, after signing an MoU with Prof. Himanshu Pandya, Vice-Chancellor, Gujarat University, India. Looking on is Dave Vibhavari Vijay, Honourable Minister of State for Women and Child Welfare, Education (Primary and Higher) and Pilgrimage (centre) and University of Nairobi Chancellor, Dr. Vijoo Rattansi (right)
36 www.uonbi.ac.ke Focus Research Varsity Researchers challenged on Intellectual Property n i v e r s i t y o f N a i r o b i researchers have been Uchallenged to innovate and invent products, patent these products, and pursue the benefits accruing from their intellectual property rights which can be worth billions of shillings. The appeal was made at a two-day workshop, organised by the Intellectual Property Management Office (IPMO) conducted on February 5-6, 2020 at the University of Nairobi Towers. Renowned businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Tr a n s w o o d , M r. N a v i n Chandra, took the researchers through the steps to becoming Mr. Navin Chandra, Chief Executive Officer, Transwood, discussing the an entrepreneur. 'A businessman commercialisation of Intellectual Property at the University of Nairobi on needs a goal. Though he fails, he February 5, 2020. keeps moving knowing very well that his goal is success. He needs to be the workshop, Mr Robert Yawe, a revenues, Mr Yawe challenged the dedicated in honing his skills to be financial literacy coach, challenged University of Nairobi to raise the the best he can be', he said. The researchers to concentrate on student numbers by offering online businessman also pointed out learning modules through its that success in business 3G and 4G networks with the re qu i res a c c ou ntabi l i t y, The University community was enhanced 5G network also set vigilance, and adapting to the also encouraged to seek to be introduced. He observed market trends. copyright protection that since the outbreak of the Mr. Chandra stated that for materials coronavirus pandemic in products for commercialisation China, the online mode of should be unique with quality - Mr. Navin Chandra - learning in Chinese universities packaging. Such products Chief Executive Officer of Transwood had risen exponentially. should also be patented with The University community was also encouraged to seek the Kenya Industrial Property innovation and invention and license copyright protection for materials Institute (KIPI) and World Intellectual the products to businessmen. 'Siri such as novels, poems, plays, films, Property Organization (WIPO). He was a university research product music, and other artistic works such also said that those in business ought licensed to Apple Computers', he to develop trust with suppliers, said. a s d r a w i n g s , p a i n t i n g s , employees and consumers in order to photographs, sculptures, and On the aspect of dwindling university gain an edge in the market. During architectural designs. VF
www.uonbi.ac.ke 37 VarsityFocus Students’ welfare VC promises to reform student services niversity of Nairobi Vice- used for teaching and learning. He within the law’, he said. The Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Stephen also pointed out that human resources Chancellor said that the University UGitahi Kiama, has cautioned will be aligned properly and virtually needs ideas from students in order to first year students against wasting everything will be online for easy grow. their time while in campus. The VC access. Students with special needs were was speaking at Taifa Hall, while Regarding the University core values informed that a Special Needs Centre addressing the students from the o f f re e d o m o f t h o u g h t a n d will be created to cater for their College of Humanities and Social expression, the Vice-Chancellor needs. The centre will also help Sciences on 23 January 2020. urged students to exercise their students get internships and enrol in ‘Use your time wisely to get the work-study programmes. This best of this university. The wi l l h e l p s t u d e n t s g a i n University of Nairobi made us experience as they earn some who we are today. We are the Don't keep quiet when lecturers money. best university in the region. We O n s t u d e n t d i s c i p l i n e , are ready to offer services to don't come to class. Don't be suspension and expulsion, the m a k e y o u r s t a y h e r e conditioned into fear of speaking Vice-Chancellor pointed out memorable’, he said. The Vice- that the era of expelling students Chancellor outlined some of the out. Nothing will be done to you is long gone. ‘There will be no s e r vi c e s o f fe re d by t h e suspensions or expulsions of U n i v e r s i t y a s s e c u r i t y, for expressing yourself within students without following the counselling, career services, due process and according transport, sports, and games. the law. students fair administrative The Vice-Chancellor spelt out a justice. Don't engage in wide range of reforms that the lawlessness; confine yourselves University of Nairobi will be within the law. We need to undertaking to ensure students enjoy freedom of speech. nurture your talents and not to chase ex p erient ia l l e a rn i n g a t t h e ‘Don't keep quiet when lecturers don't you away’, he remarked. University. He observed that data come to class. Don't be conditioned Varsity Focus welcomes the new management will be a priority in his into fear of speaking out. Nothing will students to the University of Nairobi. VF regime to ensure issues like missing be done to you for expressing yourself marks do not arise. There will also be financial reforms to ensure that money is channelled into University core functions of teaching and learning, research, and consultancy. ‘There will be reforms in the governance structures. The University continues to rely on old governance structures, which we will relook into’, he said. On physical facilities, the Vice- Chancellor, said optimal use will be Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama bonds with first year students admitted to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences during their orientation on necessary to ensure all facilities are January 23, 2020.
38 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Mentorship Students urged to go for professional certificates
emale students pursuing t o g u i d e t h e m . M s M u m b i Data Science team which uses clients' S c i e n c e , T e c h n o l o g y , encouraged the students to accept data and insights to solve problems FEngineering, and Mathematics any kind of job that comes along and via Twitter and Facebook. (STEM) have been challenged to not to despise humble beginnings. 'I 'Share your vision with your pursue professional certification to urge you to develop your soft skills; supervisors and embrace every increase their opportunities for such as communication skills, opportunity that comes your way. employment. presentation skills, and networking When an opportunity came up to join The appeal was made on March 13, skills. By joining professional groups the Digital team and Data Science , 2 02 0 d u r i n g a m e n t o r s h i p you will have a chance to grow', she and having shared my vision with my programme by women techies from said. She indicated that she had been supervisor, she allowed me to join the various technology companies for able to develop her public speaking newly created departments', she University of Nairobi female students. skills over the years. said. Some of the companies represented Barbara Okello, Data Scientist from The students were told to gear up for were Huawei and Safaricom PLC. Safaricom, shared her professional the fourth industrial revolution which Catherine Mumbi, who works with progression with the students is expected to create millions of jobs. Sidian Bank as a Chief Information including the numerous obstacles she Such technologies as artificial Officer shared her experience of had to overcome. She observed that intelligence, Internet of Things, receiving an impressive twofold reaching the pinnacle of excellence robotics, machine learning, and data salary raise soon after acquiring a arose from sheer hard work and science will create millions of jobs in Microsoft certification. embracing opportunities. Ms Okello the coming years. They were also The students engaged with top began as a Customer Care agent at challenged to position themselves for women in the technology field to tap Safaricom before joining the Social these opportunities by acquiring the from their experiences. The students Media team that answers customer relevant skills through studying via were encouraged to identify mentors queries. She eventually joined the online platforms like YouTube, Udemy, Coursera and others. T h e f e m a l e s t u d e n t s ' mentorship programme by the Women in Technology was organised by the Office o f C a r e e r S e r v i c e s , University of Nairobi. VF
A section of students and staff during a mentorship session for female students pursuing STEM courses.
www.uonbi.ac.ke 39 VarsityFocus entorship M Students tipped on Huawei certications
Women leaders in technology share nuggets of wisdom with UoN female students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses.
he University of Nairobi Office Ar tificial Intelligence, Cloud Certification o f C a r e e r S e r v i c e s , i n Computing, and Big Data. · Huawei ICT Skills Competition partnership with Huawei Over 200 students have benefited T · Huawei Management Trainee Te c h n o l o g i e s L t d , h o s t e d a from the Huwaei certification training sensitisation session on the Huawei since the University of Nairobi rolled Programme ICT certification targeting students of it out in 2016. In 2018, twelve UoN · Huawei DigiTalent Career Fair the School of Computing and students were successful in joining the · Huawei Ajira Interns Induction Informatics. Huawei Management Trainee Programme S u S hu q i , t h e Tra i n i n g a n d Programme while two more top · Huawei Industrial Visit Certification Manager for Huawei's students from the HCIA class at the Enterprise Business Department and School of Engineering joined the Mr. Johnson Kinyua, who made a Michael Kamau also from the same internship programme. In 2019, two presentation on behalf of the Office of department gave an overview of students secured internship positions Career Services, said the goal of the Huawei's key projects and the with the company. office is to produce holistic graduates programmes being offered to The Office of Career Services is for the job market who are students. The programmes include working with Huawei in the following e m p o w e r e d , c o m p e t i t i v e , Routing and Switching, Networking, programmes: employable, enterprising, and VF S e c u r i t y C e r t i fi c a t i o n , S G · Huawei Certified ICT Associate innovative. Certification, Internet of Things,
40 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus e ar elf w ents’ tud S Students and police seek harmony he National Police Service and when we encounter difficult situations Political Science student. students of the University of at one point we are able to 'We can foresee a situation where TNairobi held historic talks on understand each other as we search students are trustable partners with conflict, insecurit y, and law for the truth amidst suspicion, conflict, law enforcement agencies in the fight enforcement within and outside the and doubt', he added. against crime. A situation where university. National Police Service Director of students are treated with respect and The meeting, which was initiated by Reforms, Mr. Charles Ombati, noted i n a h u m a n e w a y d u r i n g Amnesty International and UoN, was that the Kenya Police Service had demonstrations or other conflict held at Taifa Hall on February 28, made tremendous improvement in its situations', he added. 2020. The discussions reflected a o p e r a t i o n a l c a p a c i t y a n d Amnesty International Kenya mutual understanding of the security preparedness in all policing aspects. Executive Director Mr. Houghton situation, fears, and anxieties that 'We have regulated the use of force Irungu enlightened the students on exist from the viewpoints of the law and firearms. We are training our their rights and called upon the police enforcement agency and students. officers on human rights and conflict to practise professionalism and The spokesman of the Kenya Police management as well as addressing accountability while discharging Service, Mr. Charles Owino, said the their psychosocial welfare, including their duties. mental health', he said. police service was a very important University of Nairobi Director of unit of the society, which thrived on He elaborated that effectiveness of Corporate Affairs, Mr. John Orindi, collaboration. 'We want the best the transformational leadership appreciated the students for relationship possible with the students approach being introduced within expressing their concerns with the so that we can effectively address the police service would depend on police and providing suggestions for safety and insecurity issues within the closer working ties with others. improvement. 'The police service university', he said. The students commended the should continue to dialogue with 'The University of Nairobi, is a very National Police Service for the students so that we can have better important institution for us and we are opportunity to dialogue with them. working relationships and a safe really interested in forging a 'We believe this is a new beginning environment for studies and work," he harmonious working relationship in the relationship between police said. VF through such discussions, so that and students', said Mark Makori, a
Kenya Police Service spokesman, Mr. Charles Owino during discussions with UoN student leaders on insecurity and law enforcement at Taifa Hall on February 28, 2020.
www.uonbi.ac.ke 41 ocus F arsity V ership tn ar P Project on Diaspora Humanitarianism launched
he University of Nairobi, the launched at a workshop held on infrastructures do they use or create in Danish Institute for International February 28, 2020 at the University the process of doing so? TStudies (DIIS), the Rift Valley of Nairobi Towers. The project The project was launched during the D- Institute (RVI), and Rako Research and focuses on Somalia and aims to HUM workshop, which took place at Communication Centre based in a n a l y s e t h e m o b i l i s a t i o n , the Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge from Hargeisa, Somaliland, launched a channelling, delivery, and effects of 24th to 27th February 2020. IDS was collaborative research project on diaspora humanitarianism with represented by Prof. Karuti Kanyinga, Diaspora Humanitarianism in reference to Somali diaspora. IDS Director and Dr George Michuki, Complex Crises (D-Hum). Based on fieldwork in Somalia, Kenya, IDS Research Fellow. Dr. Nauja Kleist The Institute for Development Studies and Europe, the project will examine and Dr. Peter Albrecht represented (IDS), University of Nairobi, will the movement of goods, people, and the Danish Institute for International implement the research project in ideas from crisis-affected areas; hubs Studies (DIIS). Dr. Mohamed Adam p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h t h e t h r e e for humanitarian agencies; and represented the Rako Centre while Dr. institutions. IDS will also train three diaspora activities in settlement Mark Bradbury represented the Rift Ph.D. students selected to join the countries. Valley Institute (RVI). project through a competitive The overall research question for the D-Hum is funded by the Consultative process. The students will be trained project is: What kinds of assistance do Research Committee for Development at the University of Nairobi and the Somali diaspora groups mobilise, Research (FFU) under Denmark's University of Copenhagen in channel, and deliver to Somalia during Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Danida). It Denmark in the next four years. complex crises; and which social, is coordinated by Dr. Nauja Kleist, VF The D-Hum research project was m a t e ria l, a n d t e ch n o l o g ic a l DIIS.
42 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Partnership UoN discusses collaboration with Rwandan university wanda's University of Tourism, courtesy of Volkswagen. The aim of innovations and business start-ups as Technology and Business the programme is to advance social they immerse themselves in diverse RS t u d i e s ( U T B ) a n d t h e enterprise among students in cultural experiences as part of University of Nairobi will establish developing countries. reviving the East African spirit. s t u d e n t a n d s t a f f exch a n g e Prof. Kiama supported the idea, Prof. Mary Kinoti, also from the programmes to enhance joint noting that experiential learning is the School of Business, said the school is research in various disciplines. way to go. He said a Memorandum committed to the promotion of Speaking during a courtesy call on of Understanding (MOU) will be innovative ideas. “We came up with UoN Vice-Chancellor Professor signed to provide for a structured the Summer School idea. We keep Stephen Kiama, the Vice-Chancellor process of collaboration that will see innovating new products and services of the Rwandese University, Dr. staff and students benefit from the with the help of a team from Kabera Callixte, said his institution exchange programmes. The ten-day Volkswagen,” she said. would like to work with UoN to offer learning programme will expose During the occasion on March 9, opportunities for students to students and staff to techniques of 2020, Dr. Callixte also requested the experience cultural exchange, data collection, coding, and School of Business to champion the internships, industrial relations, and analysis. development of master's degree learning in a different country. Prof. X. N. Iraki, from the School of programmes for the University of In addition to Kenya, the intended Business (SOB) said the programme Tourism, Technology and Business collaboration will also cover Burundi, will teach new ways of doing Studies to enable the working class in Germany, Rwanda, Singapore, and research He added that students will Rwanda enhance their education Uganda and will be implemented vi s i t severa l ent re p ren eu ria l locally instead of travelling abroad.VF
University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama (right) with Dr. Kabera Callixte, Vice-Chancellor, Rwanda University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies (UTB ) when the latter paid him a courtesy call.
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