University News

  Dr. Gideon Muriuki, seated center, with the academic procession at the sidelines of the 6th CUK Graduation 2022 at our Main Campus Karen. The Co-operative University of Kenya celebrated its  6th graduation ceremony on the 25th Day of February 2022 at Karen, Nairobi in a colorful event where the Group Managing Director and CEO of the Co-operative Bank, Dr.Gideon Muriuki, was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letter (Honoris Causa) DLitt. The event, with the theme, ‘Co-operative and Social Solidarity Economy” saw a total of 2,223 graduands conferred Degrees and awarded Diplomas and Certificates in various fields of specialization. The Chairperson of Council, Dr. Jeremy Bundi, shares a moment with Dr. Gideon Muriuki, CEO Co-op Bank, center, and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kamau Ngamau The Acting University Chancellor, Dr. Jeremy Bundi congratulated the class of 2022 noting that their achievement was a sign of a bright future for the nation; “Today marks another important milestone for the university where we shall release another group of 2,223 well-trained and equipped graduates into the job market. The future looks bright for all these young innovators and entrepreneurs largely owing to the fact that they have all been trained and equipped with the requisite sets of skills. We anticipate and expect that you will make a positive contribution and impact in your respective societies and in everything that you endeavor to do.” The Chairperson of the University Council in his speech, read on his behalf by Mr. Peter Gathirwa, spoke courageously and encouraged the graduands to be confident that they have attained a world-class education from The Co-operative University of Kenya and urged them to go out and face the world with patriotism, devotion, and commitment. In addition, the chairperson encouraged the graduands to spread the cooperative spirit, be job creators and not job seekers as they are all equipped with skills that would make them create jobs. “Feel confident that you have attained a world-class education from this University. I urge you to go out there and face the world with patriotism, devotion, and commitment. If you cannot secure a white-collar job, know that you have the skills and the ability to create jobs. Do not always wish to be job seekers but job creators” Dr. Gideon Muriuki, Group Managing Director and CEO, Co-op Bank, gives his acceptance speech after his conferment of an Honorary Doctorate in Human Letter (Honoris Causa) during the 6th CUK Graduation 2022jpeg The University congratulated Dr. Gideon Muriuki who was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for his distinguished and illustrious service to the co-operative movement in Kenya and Africa. Dr. Gideon Muriuki also injected his words of wisdom to all the guests present at the ceremony and proudly stated that The Co-operative Bank is a prayerful bank. “It has surely taken fervent prayers and immense God’s favour for an institution that was on the verge of collapse with a huge KES 2.3 Billion loss in the year 2001 to be now one of the largest Banking Groups in the Region and an Asset Base of over Kshs.590 Billion” Dr.Gideon Muriuki said. The Co-operative Bank Foundation also gives full education sponsorship to needy and bright students from all regions of Kenya four of whom were among the graduation class of 2022.

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The Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) through the Co-operative Development, Research and Innovation Division and in partnership with WeEffect has run the Leadership for Change (LFC) programme since 2018 under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that runs until 2022. The LFC programme was mooted following the realization that co-operatives, especially farmer-based organizations, faced leadership challenges in the ever-changing operating environment. The program aims to create change leaders for the farmer-based organizations who are more adaptive to the changes and challenges they encounter on a daily basis in their line of duty. Since its inception, a total of 288 people have been trained across four countries—Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Initially focused on supporting farmer-based organizations within the co-operative sector, it has since adjusted to also include other sectors, including training student leaders in the university. It intends to equip the student leaders with relevant leadership skills and prepare them for future leadership roles. In addition to human resource development for the region, the university has acquired training equipment and established further linkages and opportunities that have come as a result of the LFC programme. Speaking at the sidelines of a three day LFC training session for the University Management Board, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Co-operative Development Research and Innovation (CDRI), Prof Isaac Nyamongo, noted these opportunities and benefits. Members of the University Management Board during the training. “We have had new partnerships come to the university and particularly from the county governments as a result of this programme. For example, we have signed MoUs with the County Government of Kajiado and the County Government of Narok after training their co-operative officers under this programme” He further added that the university has also partnered with other Non-Governmental Organizations as a result of networks created during the LFC training events. Covid-19 threw a curveball but, like all dark clouds, it came with a silver lining. It provided LFC with the opportunity to train online. CDRI Division will continue to partner and have the LFC programme rolled out to as many sectors as possible with the sole purpose of creating better leaders for the modern-day organizations and for the future.

The Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) through the Institute of Co-operative Development has started a four-day training program for Co-operative Officers of the Kajiado County Government. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training at the Co-operative Retreat and Conference Centre (CRCC), the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kamau Ngamau, reiterated the importance of this kind of training and especially at such a critical point where co-operatives continue to be at the center of agricultural production and manufacturing. The Vice-Chancellor Prof Kamau Ngamau during the opening ceremony of the four-day training workshop He noted that the Kajiado County Government is among the Counties that have signed a memorandum of understanding with the university with the intention of revitalizing the cooperative sector at the county level. “I commend the county for including issues of revitalizing the cooperative movement within the county in their 2018-2022 County Integrated Plan with the end result being a more vibrant co-operative society” He noted that it is through such training that the county will be able to attain her manufacturing goals as set out on the plan. “I am happy to note that we have actually commenced the actualization of the MoU we signed with the Kajiado County Government and this training and capacity development will go a long way in empowering your co-operative officers at the county level. This, in my view, will be the first step towards revitalizing the co-operative sector in the county which has over 400 registered co-operatives societies with over 12,000 members.”   At the end of the four-day training it is expected that over 40 co-operatives officers of the Kajiado County Government will have a better understanding of the contemporary issues in co-operative thoughts and practice; co-operative governance tools, their design, development, and maintenance; key issues in co-operative development approach; and provision of guiding application tools and mechanisms for financial control in co-operatives. Dr. Lydia Mutua, Registrar CDRI briefs the participants during the opening ceremony

On Monday, July 19, 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) was entered into by the Czech University of Life Sciences (Czech Republic) and The Co-operative University of Kenya ushering in a long-term strategic partnership. The two institutions of higher learning have agreed that cooperation in the areas of research collaborations, student and faculty exchanges would be mutually beneficial. These areas of cooperation, subject to mutual consent, shall be any desirable and feasible activity that would further the goals of each institution. Such interaction includes cooperation in a variety of joint academic and education activities such as Joint research projects Activities; Publication activities of mutual interests; Participation in Seminars and Academic meetings; Faculty and student exchanges programmes; and Exchange of academic information and materials. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kamau Ngamau (left), and Prof. Mazancová Jana, Vice-Dean Development during the MoU signing ceremony. Under Letters of Agreement (LoA), it is anticipated that a number of activities listed above will take place within the lifespan of this agreement. Speaking at the event, Prof. Mazancová Jana, Vice-Dean Development and Prof. Jiri Hejkrlik, Vice-dean of Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Department of Economics and Development, (who were accompanied by post-graduate students from the Czech Republic) noted that the initiatives shall provide a good starting place and can be put into place as soon as the administrative issues have been worked out between the two institutions. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kamau Ngamau, in his part indicated that the two organizations have agreed to work together and cooperate in areas of mutual benefit and to fully engage in the development of research and innovation projects that will see both students and faculty across the two organizations advancing in their quest to having meaningful and purposeful research activities. The 5-year MoU is expected to lapse in July 2026.

The appointment of Dr. Wycliffe Aluoch Oboka to the position of Associate Professor of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance in the School Co-operatives and Community Development, Department of Community Development and Environmental Management.   Prof Wycliffe Oboka is an Associate Professor of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, at the Department of Community Development and Environmental Management (DCEM). He holds a Ph.D. in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology); MA in Project Planning and Management (University of Nairobi); M.Phil.in Guidance and Counselling (Moi University); and Bachelor of Education (Arts) from Moi University. He is currently serving as Director, Institute of Co-operative Development. He previously served as Dean, School of Co-operatives and Community Development; and, Director, Academic Quality Assurance. Prof. Oboka has had a long career, having started working in 1995 as a high school teacher at Musingu High School in Kakamega County. He served briefly as Chief Children’s Officer under the Office of the Vice President and Ministry of Home Affairs (2006-2007). He started teaching at the university level in 2007 as an Assistant Lecturer at the Centre for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance in Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, where he rose to the rank of Lecturer. He was recruited at The Co-operative University of Kenya in December 2013 as Senior Lecturer, where he is still serving. Prof. Oboka is a researcher and consultant in disaster risk management. Some of the ongoing projects in which he is involved include a study on the resilience of SACCOs in the Hospitality, Aviation, and Horticulture sectors to COVID-19 systemic shock funded by Overseas Cooperative Development Corporation (OCDC); the Kenya Rural Transformation Centers Digital Platform funded by African Development Bank; and, a study on analysis of spatial distribution, capacity, and co-operation among actors in Disaster Risk Management in Kenya funded by the National Research Fund. He is involved in several consultancies for national and international agencies including World Food Programme; International Peace Training Center; Humanitarian Peace Support School; Islamic Relief Eastern Region; National Disaster Operation Center; and, National Drought Management Authority.

The Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) and the County Government of Kajiado signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, April 22, 2021, that is aimed at achieving the following: Enhancing education through Joint research, consultancy, training, technological development, commercialization, and marketing in areas of mutual interests, which are but not limited, to Co-operative development, Disaster management, and Socio-economic development; Enhancing capacity for the Co-operative Movement with a focus on Kajiado County; Developing programmes and creating awareness of emerging innovations and approaches to appropriate Cooperative Business models for the Youth, Women, vulnerable communities, and low-income earners; Enhancing professional skills through exchange visits and sharing of information between co-operators and officers of the parties; Offer Co-operative training facilities at subsidized rates at the CUK’s Co-operative Retreat and Conference Centre (CRCC) to the County Government of Kajiado; Supporting value addition ventures along the various cooperative supply chains that lead to improved productivity and income generation; and Placements for CUK students by the CGK to gain practical experience and work ethics. The Deputy Governor Kajiado County HE Martin Moshisho Martine exchange the MoU documentation with the Deputy Vice Chancellor, CDRI, Prof Isaac Nyamongo. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof Isaac Nyamongo, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Co-operative Development, Research and Innovation (CDRI) reiterated the importance of such partnerships between The Co-operative University of Kenya and the devolved governments. “I am pleased that we have today penned this Memorandum of Understanding between The Co-operative University of Kenya and the County Government of Kajiado and I am of the firm belief that this is not only a momentous occasion but a first step of linking academia to the county government all in a bid to creating and developing sustainable and long term solutions that will uplift the lives of the people of Kajiado.” On his part, the Deputy Governor Kajiado County HE. Martin Moshisho Martine was upbeat about the new partnership and the opportunities that lay ahead for the people of Kajiado County. “This partnership with The Co-operative University of Kenya will greatly influence service delivery at the County of Kajiado. We are particularly keen on how we can sensitize and train the people of Kajiado the critical role that the co-operatives play and how they can leverage on the socio-economic benefits of organizing themselves using the co-operative model”. This collaboration will provide a framework for the County Government of Kajiado and the University to work together openly, goals and processes will become more aligned, leading to the achievement of a higher success rate in the implementation of Co-operative development activities. This will lead to increased creativity and productivity among the County staff and the Co-operative development practitioners in the County.

The Kenya Society for the Blind (KSB) Ag. Director Mr. Solomon Bukhala on 25th February 2021 paid a courtesy call to the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of The Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) Prof. Kamau Ngamau.  The Director was accompanied by Mr. Johnson Riungu KSB Ag. Resource Mobilization & Public Relations Manager. Mr. Johnson is also an expert in assistive technology for visually impaired persons  | disabled persons. The Vice-Chancellor Prof Kamau Ngamau, second right, tries on an assistive technology device. Looking on are Ag. Director KSB Mr. Solomon Bukhala, second left, Ag. Director Resource Mobilisation and PR Mr. Johnson Riungu, left, and Director DAQA Dr. Michael Ngala, right. The KSB Director expressed his appreciation regarding efforts being made in mainstreaming disability at the University. He briefed the VC on the KSB mandate of championing the welfare of visually impaired persons through promoting their education and training among other activities. “It is expected that KSB participates in all matters to do with blindness”, said Solomon. He expressed the readiness to partner with CUK to ensure visually challenged persons can access services, information, documents, and other learning resources appropriately. On his part, the VC welcomed the KSB guests to the University and expressed appreciation for the KSB initiative to support visually disadvantaged persons at CUK.  He re-affirmed the University’s commitment to supporting students with disabilities by ensuring they have the necessary support. The KSB director and the VC agreed that students with disabilities deserve an equal chance to prepare themselves for career opportunities both nationally and internationally. Earlier in the day, the KSB team had held a very enriching brainstorming session with CUK’s members of the Disability Mainstreaming Committee, Library staff, and students with visual impairment. The meeting focused on the use of assistive technology and access to information for the visually challenged. | Disabled