Prof. Imbuga clarifying one of the points raised by the students during the Vice Chancellor’s Address at the Pavilion Grounds
Newly admitted first year students at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology have been urged to “Uphold high standards of integrity and avoid examination related infractions such as cheating.”
Addressing the fresh men and women who reported at JKUAT to begin their academic journey, Thursday, August 25, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Imbuga urged them to “make integrity, their face, maintain high moral standards and desist from enticing excesses of life such as irresponsible drinking, drug abuse and sexual immorality,” vices that she noted, “were detrimental to their career aspirations.”
She reminded them that success was achievable if they got their priorities right, stayed the course and avoided bad company. “Utilize the rare opportunity that JKUAT has granted you, well,” Imbuga implored.
During the 2016/17 Academic Year, Kenya Universities Central Placement Services (KUCCPS) admitted 4,758 students compared to 3,700 in the last Academic Year.
Prof. Imbuga noted that the students were distributed in 88 undergraduate programmes offered in various colleges and faculties. Out of the 88 programmes, the VC revealed, seven (7) were new innovative, market driven programmes.
Vice Chancellor explains how the customized Taifa Laptop works to the new students
The latest new programmes include: Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences), Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology, Bachelor of Science (Public Administration and Leadership), Bachelor of Science (Geophysics), Bachelor of Science (Nutraceutical Science and Technology), Bachelor of Science (Renewable Energy and Environmental Physics) and Bachelor of Science (Operational Research).
While upbeat about the expansion of programmes, the VC said, the University was “committed to address the asymmetrical gender representation in accessing educational opportunities at the University level, which she explained, was still “skewed in favour of the male gender.”
She however, said, the University would “sustain the momentum witnessed in some of the established and new programmes in order to progressively enhance gender representation.
On Taifa Laptop, the Vice Chancellor said, ICT had become an important driver of knowledge production and dissemination, and the University Management had made arrangements for new students to access the customized Taifa Laptop at a discounted price of Ksh.41, 500, payable in two instalments to ease the burden of acquiring them.
“While the amount may pose a challenge,” the Vice Chancellor outlined the expected benefits which she said, surpassed the “pain” of acquiring the laptops since students will access specific taught units offered through the university’s online mode of delivery, as well as e-books and e-journals and other quality learning materials.
A section of the first year students during the Vice Chancellor’s Address
Acknowledging the application of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in development, Imbuga counselled students against its unintended negative effects, and asked them to apply their ICT knowledge to develop outstanding innovations.
The VC nudged the freshers to exploit their God-given talents through extra curricula activities as a way of nurturing good character, social skills and tolerance. She challenged them to actively participate in the forthcoming East African Universities Games, set to be hosted by JKUAT in December.
Prof. Imbuga urged all students to “embrace the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood and rise above divisive ethnic-based politics. “We all belong to one proud country, Kenya. Let’s appreciate and celebrate our unity in diversity as Kenyans,” she concluded.