President William Ruto officially opened the Open University of Kenya (OUK) located in Konza City, Machakos County. The groundbreaking event took place on Thursday. The government-funded institution was awarded its Charter.
Equity Bank CEO, James Mwangi, was appointed as the Chancellor of the University.
Addressing the audience, President Ruto hailed the Open University of Kenya as a “bottom-up institution” that will cater to ordinary citizens. Thus enabling even those with modest means, such as mama mbogas and matatu drivers, to pursue higher education.
He emphasized that the institution’s virtual setup would offer affordable and accessible education from anywhere. Hence allowing individuals who previously couldn’t afford it to now obtain higher learning opportunities.
Chancellor James Mwangi expressed his vision for the university, highlighting the use of technology to optimize learning experiences. He pointed out that global challenges, especially the Covid-19 pandemic, have underscored the demand for higher education.
The Open University of Kenya will operate on a distance learning model. Therefore allowing students to access courses at their own convenience and location. It will offer a diverse range of programs in Science and Technology, Education, Economics and Business, and Agriculture.
Among the innovative courses offered by the virtual university are;
- Bachelor of Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
- Bachelor of Data Science
- Bachelor of Technology Education
- Bachelor of Science in Business and Entrepreneurship and Statistics
- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Food Systems
- Postgraduate diplomas in Leadership and Accountability
- Postgraduate diplomas in Learning Design and Technology
Additionally, there are plans for future Master’s and Doctorate programs.
President Ruto reminisced about his days as the Higher Education Minister. He expressed his long-standing desire to establish a virtual university in the country. The Open University of Kenya is set to receive its first cohort of students in September.
The president praised Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi for his dedication to championing access to education. Through the bank’s “Wings To Fly” scholarship program, Equity has empowered thousands of needy students. Ruto appointed Mwangi as Chancellor, citing his passion for education and commitment to making a positive impact in the sector.
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The establishment of the national open university is a strategic intervention to increase higher education access while reducing its costs. By doing so, the government aims to achieve a 100 percent transition to higher education. Consequently enabling more eligible and interested young people from even remote areas to enroll in university courses.
The ambitious project has seen significant investment, with over Ksh.100 billion allocated to setting up the facility. This figure also includes the development of essential infrastructure and power generation capabilities.
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The launch of this University aligns with the government’s broader vision of creating a digital superhighway, to enhance service delivery. ICT Cabinet Secretary, Eliud Owalo, stated that the institution would play a vital role in offering digital skilling and training. As a result, enabling Kenyans to acquire optimal ICT skills.
