Prof. Patrick Ngugi Karanja has been elected Dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SOBE) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, after securing a decisive victory with 35 votes during the election.
The contest saw Prof. Karanja emerge victorious over his closest competitor, Dr. Tabitha Nasieku, who garnered 26 votes, while Dr. Simiyu Alice, the outgoing Dean, got 16 votes.
The Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of entrepreneurship from the locally and internationally arena. He previously served in different capacities in the university that include, as a chair of Department in the Entrepreneurship and Procurement department JKUAT Nairobi Campus, Campus University quality assurance assistant officer, the university investment committee, academic programs review committees, among other committees in the university.
Prof. Karanja also holds several offices Nationally and Internationally that include, Chairperson of the Association of Professional and Practicing entrepreneurs of Kenya ( APPEK), as well as serving as a certified PhD (doctorate) level at the South African Qualifications authority(SAQA) as well as a faculty member at the Association of African Business Schools ( AABS).
Following his victory, Prof. Karanja delivered an inspiring acceptance speech emphasizing his commitment to unity, collaborative leadership and transformational change for what he described as the university’s largest school.
While demonstrating a deep understanding of the challenges facing the school, he and outlined a comprehensive vision for turning it around and pledged an inclusive leadership, declaring his intention to serve all members, noting the importance of unity in the school.
“My ability, God being my helper, without fear, or any bias, I will serve all the members of the school fairly,” he stated.
He acknowledged the valuable contributions of his competitors and expressed his intention to work together and incorporate their ideas into his administration.
“I will be borrowing all the good proposals you had. Let’s put them together for the growth of this school,” said Prof. Karanja.
Cognizance of internal challenges that have affected the school’s operations, Prof. Karanja appealed to the school community to start afresh and work together toward common goals.
Prof. Karanja introduced his guiding mantra, which he summarized as “One SOBE, Quality with Integrity,” explaining that the mantra should govern how the school approaches its educational mission and serves its stakeholders.
He emphasized the importance of delivering quality education and services with unwavering integrity, ensuring that students and other stakeholders receive excellent services.
While congratulating the new Dean, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof. George Thiong’o said, central to Prof. Karanja’s vision, is his ambitious plan to enhance the visibility and impact of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship by tapping into the school’s unexploited potential.
“We are looking at the Giant Summit. We want you to awaken it. We want it to be visible so that it can generate income for the university,” Prof. Thiong’o explained.