The newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) officially assumed office Thursday.
Prof Emily Achieng Akuno was ushered in by members of the university council and the Senate led by council chairman Prof Shem Wandiga and the hitherto Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Joseph Bosire.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is to announce to you that we have a new Vice Chancellor," Prof Wandiga informed the Council and Senate members present.
Prof Akuno is one of the 13 VCs that were last month appointed by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu to steer universities that had been operating without substantive heads.
Prof Akuno, a tutor of music, has succeeded former Vice Chancellor Prof Stephen Agong' who exited on June 20, 2023, having been at the helm for 10 years.
Prof Agong' was the first Vice Chancellor of the institution which was chartered to operate as a full university in 2013 by former President Mwai Kibaki.
She was sworn in as the secretary of the university council and signed a contract of service.
Amongst the instruments of power that were handed over to her by Prof Bosire included the university mace, seal, charter, statute, logo accreditation reports, and the University Act (2012).
Prof Akuno is new to JOOUST thus she asked stakeholders not to lead her astray.
"I am glad and joyous to be with you at JOOUST and I appreciate your warm welcome. Right now you know JOOUST but I don't know JOOUST. Please don't mislead me," Prof Akuno pleaded.
She acknowledged that the institution, formerly Bondo Teachers Training College, has made mighty strides over the past 10 years when it transitioned into a university.
As such, the don urged her deputies, registrars, heads of department, the student's council and all members of staff to help her build on the gains made so far instead of tearing the gains apart.
"We must not prune the plant but redirect vines around other stronger plants," she said figuratively.
"I want to hope that we can build on those good things that have been attained in the past ten years. It is them that build their surrounding that grows."
Prof Akuno assured the team that her door would always be ajar to give room for consultations and a perfect opportunity to communicate with everybody.
