Ahead of its 46th Graduation Ceremony, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) hosted a high-level panel discussion on KBC TV, urging graduating students to look beyond traditional employment and leverage their academic training to solve pressing societal and industry challenges.
The special pre-graduation broadcast, titled Beyond the Gown and themed “Scaling JKUAT’s Research, Youth Potential and Enterprise,” brought together key academic leaders to examine how the institution’s core strengths in agriculture, engineering, health, and technology can address real-world needs.
Driving Innovation in Agriculture and Energy
Highlighting the university’s contributions to national development, Prof. Daniel Sila, Principal of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (COANRE), emphasized JKUAT’s foundational work in food security, value addition, and sustainable development. He pointed to ongoing practical research, including smart agriculture initiatives at the Institute of Biotechnology Research (IBR) and clean energy projects at the Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology (IEET), as prime avenues for students and researchers to translate knowledge into actionable solutions.
Integrating Artificial Intelligence Responsibly
Addressing the rapid rise of new technologies, Lecturer Dr. Rehema Ndeda revealed that JKUAT is actively formulating an official AI policy to guide the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across academic and operational spheres. She stressed the necessity of training both staff and upcoming researchers to leverage AI effectively in problem-solving and innovation, describing it as a vital step to sustaining the university’s research momentum in an evolving global workforce.
Aligning Education with Industry Needs
Focusing on curriculum and employability, Prof. Hiram Ndiritu, Principal of the College of Engineering and Technology (COETEC), outlined the university’s transition toward Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET). In collaboration with the Commission for University Education (CUE), JKUAT is refining its applied learning frameworks to closely mirror practical industry demands.
“The University’s focus on competency-based training, research, and industry engagement is critical in preparing graduates who can create opportunities as well as compete for them, particularly in a rapidly changing world of work,” Prof. Ndiritu noted, highlighting the crucial role of strong public-private partnerships.
The panel concluded with a unified message: JKUAT remains committed to producing agile, market-ready graduates who are equipped not only to secure jobs, but to drive enterprise and lead national development.
