BACKGROUND
The inauguration of the College of Human Resource Development (COHRED) dates back to the early 1980s,when it was just but a department of social sciences in the former Jomo Kenyatta College of Agriculture and Technology.Its mandate was to provide social sciences courses to the college. In 1990, following the upgrading of the college to a Constituent college of Kenyatta University, the department was upgraded to the Institute of Human Resource Development (IHRD).
In 1992, with the collaboration of the International Labour Organization (ILO), University of Illinois and the then Ministry of Research Technical Training and Technology, the Institute launched its first degree programme,the MSc Entrepreneurship with 30 students.The collaboration came to an end in 1994, but the Institute for Human Resource Development (IHRD) continued with the programme as well as its role of servicing other departments with relevant courses.
In 1994, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology became a fully-fledged University.In the year 2004 IHRD commenced offering degree programmes in social sciences and short-term courses.By 2006, the institute had a total of 13 teaching staff, and was subsequently converted to the School for Human Resource Development (SHRD)headed by a Director with three departments namely Entrepreneurship and Procurement (EPD), Commerce and Economic Studies (CES), and Social Sciences
and Humanities (SSH). With this expansion, the total number of teaching staff increased to 40.By June 2014 the School grew into a College namely; the College of Human Resource Development (COHRED) under the leadership of a Principal.The College houses 3 Schools namely: School of Entrepreneurship, Procurement and Management (SEPM), School of Business (SOB), and School of Communication and Development Studies (SCOM&DEVS), and 7 departments. The Schools are headed by Deans, and departments headed by Chairs.The College offers 86 programmes, and these programmes are matched with the relevant expertise. Currently the total staff number in the College stands
at 70 permanent and over 100 part time staff. The College also offersover 36 Diploma, Undergraduate, Masters and PhD programs consequently leading to an increase in the number of student enrolment of 6,000. College of Human Resource Development also offers customized short-term courses to various groups of clients.
VISION, MISSION, MANDATE, FUNCTIONS AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF COLLEGE OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
VISION STATEMENT:
To be a global College of excellence for human resource development.
MISSION STATEMENT:
To be a global College of excellence for human resource development.
To produce leaders in training, research and innovation for Development in the fields of Human Resource, Communication and Enterprise Development to suit the needs of a dynamic world.
MANDATE AND FUNCTIONS:
• To train requisite human resources at both managerial and supervisory grades.
• To uplift the quality of education and training and managerial excellence.
• To promote both basic and applied research in the fields of Social “Science and Development.
• To promote collaboration with small-scale industrialists for development and competition.
• To promote linkages with other institutions of renowned research in Social Science and Development.
CORE VALUES:
• Transparency and Accountability
The College shall uphold a culture of ethics, transparency and accountability in dealing with her stakeholders.
• Professionalism
The College shall uphold high standards of expertise and professionalism, in everything she does.
• Innovation
The College shall endeavor to utilize the latest, up to date and most appropriate technology in achieving her objectives.
• Integrity
The College shall promote, uphold and sustain social responsibility and environmental
care.
• Self-Development
The College will endeavor to provide opportunities for self-development to her staff
and students.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
The College plans to undertake the following strategic objectives during the next twelve months.
Strategic Issue 1: Students Intake and Graduates
1) To increase the number of admissions by 10% annually
2) To improve the quality of teaching and examination
3) To optimize the opportunities for graduates in the job market
Strategic Issue 2: Academic Programs Offered
4) To raise and sustain academic standards in all JKUAT programs
Strategic Issue 3: Institutional Management and Resources
5) To establish a culture of good governance in the management of the University
6) To enhance the University’s infrastructure and facilities
Strategic Issue 4: Research and Innovations
7) To enhance strategic and value added research and innovation
8) To increase production and income generation activities
9) To facilitate dissemination of research and innovation to target users
Strategic Issue 5: Partnership and Linkages
10) To improve on university linkages and partnership with industry, offshore and research and development institutions
11) To strengthen cultural and technological exchanges with institutions of higher learning