Varsity Focus (September, 2010)

Abstract

This edition of the Varsity Focus highlights activities that have taken place in the recent past. The University of Nairobi (UoN) is basking in the victory of performance contracting after the results of 2009/2010 were announced by the head of state in April 2010. UoN was the second best performing State Corporation and the best in the higher learning category. At the same time the international web ranking placed UoN ahead of all local Universities. It is number three in East Africa and 26 in Africa. Kudos to all members of staff and students for their hard work which has propelled UoN to these great heights.

The University also hosted top leaders who held discussions with students and staff on pertinent issues affecting reforms. The talks featured IMF Managing Director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, Dr. Madeleine Albright, former US Secretary of State and Thomas Daschle, former Senate Majority leader and currently Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) respectively. These interactions not only improved the corporate image of the University but also positioned UoN as a focal point of academic discourse and a critical player in the reform process in the country.

The University also increased its outreach programmes through participation in the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) exhibition, selected ASK shows, corporate launches, and other activities. This increased visibility of our academic programmes through more exposure to the public. Other units such as School of Computing and Informatics were more ingenious and hosted their own open days to showcase their student projects to the public.

International links on the other hand have increased our international profile with ties being strengthened with universities worldwide. Great interest has been expressed from universities in Iran, Korea and China to start links with UoN and at the same time an active campaign to strengthen links with leading UK, US and S.A. universities is in the pipeline.

Our scholars have been at the forefront in flying the UoN flag high. Varsity Focus congratulates Prof. Shem Wandiga and Prof. Jacob Midiwo for being admitted as Fellows of the Royal Society of Chemistry, (UK) and putting the UoN in international limelight.

These and other stories constitute the highlight of the September edition of the Varsity Focus.

- Charles E. Sikulu -