Renowned industrialist Vimal Shah has been installed as the second Chancellor for Maasai Mara University following his appointment by President William Ruto.
Shah was appointed as its new Chancellor by President William Samoei Ruto on September 8, 2023, for five years.
Vimal who was installed on Friday in his acceptance speech honoured the opportunity from President Ruto to serve at the same time promised to work alongside all stakeholders at the institute with integrity to positively impact on society as expected.
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the ministry, the president of the Republic of Kenya DR. William Samoei Ruto for appointing me. When I was appointed I did not know. It came through a gazette notice and I questioned a few people that I was not even asked. They said asked the appointing authority.”
Shah said the few people he consulted told him to just go and get down working.
He said there is a need to embrace resilience due to volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.
“The world today is full of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. In that, we have to make sure that our students, our alumni, our people navigate without worrying about volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity,” he said.
Shah said there is a need to have people who can navigate the uncertainties in the future adding that ‘we do not know what pandemic is coming in the future.’
He said the collective role is to foster dynamic learning and training.
“I want to say we can make an impact in society,” he said adding that he will help make a difference.
Shah said everyone can be whatever they want to be only if they believe in themselves.
Dr. David Watene who Represented Principal Secretary in the State Department for Higher Education and Research said Maasai Mara holds a special place in the landscape of higher education.
Watene said the University is renowned for its academic excellence adding that with Shah’s leadership, the university will scale the heights.
“It will make greater contributions to knowledge creation, human capital development and national development agenda,” Watene said.
Watene said he was optimistic that the new plan in a model of university funding by the Government to be realised in three years’ time.
He assured the government’s commitment in addressing financial challenges being faced by Universities saying a recent meeting by President Ruto and Public Universities Second Chancellors had witnessed improvement from Government funding.
During the installation event, Professor Peninah Aloo Obuodho the Vice Chancellor of Maasai Mara University read Shah’s citation.
Obuodho said Shah has revolutionized the manufacturing industry.
The Vice-Chancellor noted with profound appreciation the outstanding achievements by Vimal which she said will go a long way in enabling the institution to reach even higher in its research mandate.
David Ole Sankok lauded Shah saying he has employed more than six thousand Kenyans and many more in Uganda and Tanzania.
“With that great knowledge you will bring to this University will make this university greater.
Narok North MP Agnes Pareyio said Shah is an accomplished businessman and visionary leader and mentor.
“I’m confident that Maasai Mara University will benefit from your experience the immense skills that will see the institution achieve its vision and mission of becoming a world-class university.”
Shah, a renowned industrialist in East Africa and the Chairman of Bidco Africa brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the University.
He was recognized as the East African Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012 by the All-African Business Leaders Awards.
In 2011, President Mwai Kibaki honoured his contribution to national development with a first-class chief of the Order of the Burning Spear, in addition to many awards.
Shah who was born in 1960 in Nyeri went through Jamuhuri High School, United States International University; Nairobi Campus holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science Business Administration and Finance.
Shah is also an entrepreneur, mentor and philanthropist best known for co-founding the BIDCO Group of Companies he stands respected in the field of manufacturing and innovation and has held high-level talks at world stages in Germany, the USA and most at European-Africa business forums and is a member of 3 GF (Green Growth Forum).
He was once the Chair of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and also a recipient of multiple accolades and awards and also received a First Class Order of the Burning Spear in December 2011 from the Late President Mwai Kibaki highest for a private citizen among many others.
