The University of Nairobi is set to hire more lecturers to improve the teacher-student ratio, Chancellor Patrick Verkooijen has announced.
Verkooijen said the move will enhance efficiency and improve the quality of UoN graduates.
The chancellor spoke on Friday during the university’s 72nd graduation ceremony that saw some 4,583 graduates awarded various qualifications.
Verkooijen said it is only by increasing the don-student ratio that the institution will improve the quality of its academic services and research to better position it as a domineering force in academia in the continent and globally.
He added that the investments would also spur innovation and better position UoN faculties and students to not only solve teething societal challenges but also confront the evolving challenges.
“I'm convinced we cannot only be the greatest university in
Africa but one of the greatest in the world. To achieve this, we must increase
staff numbers and improve teacher-student ratios,” the chancellor said.
He promised to lead the charge in mobilising support from
the government to implement an ambitious plan to transform the university to
become efficient in administration and robust research leader.
“With the support of the President, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, and the Council, University of Nairobi will embark on a rapid transformation plan over the next two years—our social contract with you,” he said.
Describing the graduates as "architects of
solutions", Verkooijen cited the university’s Silicon Savannah Innovation
Park, backed by a €35 million (Sh4,744,950,000) French investment, as a launch
pad for graduates.
“Graduates, the world is waiting—go out and shake it for a united, resilient, and prosperous future,” he said.
On her part, Acting UoN Vice Chancellor Margaret Hutchingson lauded the graduates for their achievements saying their fete “represent much more than your areas of specialisation".
“You embody the aspirations of your families, the strength of your communities and the promise of a brighter Kenya,” she said.
Reaffirming the university’s mission, the acting VC emphasised that education is a transformative force preparing graduates to address local and global challenges.
The univarsity’s council chair Prof Amukowa Anangwe said the institution will “commercialise assets, enhancing partnerships, and implementing reforms” to address financial constraints.
