University News

CS APPOINTS PROF. GICHERU AS A VARSITY DVC Prof. Esther Gicheru has been appointed the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance, Planning and Administration at The Co-operative University of Kenya. Prior to this appointment by the Cabinet Secretary for Education Ambassador Dr. Amina Mohamed, Esther Gicheru served as the Director, Institute of Co-operative Development and an Associate Professor in Cooperative Management and Organization Development at the Co-operative University of Kenya. She is a doctorate degree holder in Organization Development and Transformation with over forty one years of scholarly and administrative experience in the Co-operative sector. Prof. Gicheru attended the University of Nairobi where she studied Agriculture.  She furthered her studies in Co-operative Management and Organization Development at Leicester University (Master of Arts (M.A.) In Co-operative Management and Organization Development), United Kingdom and wrote her doctorate from Cebu Doctors’ University, The Philippines.  She holds a Diploma in Counseling Psychology of Tangaza University College. Her career started in 1976 as a Co-operative Officer in Kenya’s Ministry of Co-operative Development and Marketing where she served in various capacities before moving to The Co-operative College of Kenya as its Principal in 1988 under the Ministry of Co-operative Development and Marketing, rose to Director of The Co-operative College of Kenya when it became a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency.  She was, in August 2012 appointed as acting Principal of The Co-operative University College of Kenya following its much celebrated elevation to a constituent college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. As an educationist, and to her credit, she has directed many research activities alone and with colleague researchers.  She has coordinated successful implementation of many training programs both nationally and internationally.  Her research work spans co-operative management, co-operative policy, gender issues in co-operatives and incorporation of co-operative training in higher education curricula.  She is highly regarded and respected as a co-operative researcher and strategic thinker. Prof. Gicheru in recognition of her contribution to the co-operative movement worldwide received the most respected international award, The Rochadale Pioneers’ Award (RPA) in 2007. In addition she was also recognized for her remarkable contribution to the Co-operative Movement in Kenya and was granted the presidential award of Head of State Commendations (HSC) IN 2008. The co-operative movement in Kenya further gave her an additional recognition in the same year. In the year 2016, Prof. Gicheru received another presidential award, Order of Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW). Prof. Gicheru takes over from Prof. Esther Magiri who served in the capacity of the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance, Planning and Administration from March, 2017

VARSITY GETS VICE CHANCELLOR , The Vice Chancellor of The Co-operative university of Kenya, Prof. Kamau Ngamau . The Cabinet Secretary for Education Ambassador Dr. Amina Mohamed has appointed Prof. Kamau Ngamau as the Vice Chancellor of The Co-operative university of Kenya. Prof. Ngamau has served as the Ag. Vice Chancellor of The Co-operative University of Kenya since March 2017. Before this appointment by the University Council, Prof. Ngamau served as the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs at The Co-operative University of Kenya, having served as the Deputy Principal Academic Affairs of the former CUCK. He is a Professor of Horticulture at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He served in various capacities at JKUAT rising through the ranks from an Assistant Lecturer in 1993, to Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor and Professor in 2013. Administratively, Professor Ngamau has held the positions of Chair of Horticulture Department, Dean Faculty of Agriculture and Director Board of Postgraduate Studies at JKUAT among other responsibilities which he performed with distinction. He has numerous publications in internationally refereed journals, supervised many Undergraduate, Masters and PhD students successfully. He is recognized research scientist and consultant in Horticulture. He has further attended and presented seminar papers in various Local and International workshops and Conferences on cross cutting issues in Higher Education and in his area of expertise. Prof. Ngamau, an alumnus of Nairobi School, is a holder of Doctor of Philosophy in Horticultural Sciences of the University of Hanover, Germany, a Master of Science degree in Horticulture and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture of the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He holds a second Master degree in Organizational Development from USIU, Kenya.

Co-operative University DVC (Academic Affairs) Prof. Emily Achieng’ Akuno, giving address at the 45th Association of European Conservatories annual Congress in Graz, Austria. Prof. Akuno spoke about the 5 Music Rights and their impact on higher music education.

VC CALLS ON DISCIPLINE AS CUK CELEBRATES 2ND ANNIVERSARY The Co-operative University of Kenya has celebrated its 2nd Anniversary since the award of a University Charter in October 2016. The function celebrated in a high note Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and Interdenominational Church Service on Sunday 11th November, 2018 brought together University community led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Kamau Ngamau. Addressing the staff and students at the University’s Main Campus, the Vice Chancellor thanked the university staff, students and stakeholders for their dedication and teamwork towards building a reputable University. He noted that since the award of a University Charter, CUK had attracted a high number of students pursuing various programmes at the University. Down the memory lane, the VC noted that, “We are gathered here today as a people of God to thank Him for the Good he has granted us as a University and to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary since award of a University Charter in 2016. Those who know the journey we travelled to get a University Charter, have a clear picture how bumpy the road was. Tough as it was, by the Grace of God we managed.” Prof. Ngamau asked the CUK students to step up to challenges facing the world and especially the youth and remain strong moral champions the world can emulate while routing for strong moral education starting in families, “It is incumbent upon all of us especially, we the community that is at a higher institution of learning to lead by example. We cannot afford to bury our heads in the sand and not follow the example of Christ the Good Shepherd. As you step out and start families, let your families be the first Church. Moral decadence starts from families; a strong family with moral and Christian values means sane communities and nations. Let charity begin within us and in our homes.” Others who attended the function included the University’s Management Board’ Registrar Academic Affairs David Otiende, Deputy Registrar CDRI Dr. Lydia Mutua among others.

POSTPONEMENT OF SPECIAL/ SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS Greetings, Please note that Special/ Supplementary examinations for undergraduate/Diploma and /Certificate programmes have been postponed to a later date. A new date will be communicated in due course. Most likely from 22nd October. Any inconveniences this may have caused is highly regretted. Masters exams will however go on from Monday 15th October 2018. AR, Examinations

REMARKS BY DVC, CDRI PROF. ISAAC NYAMONGO ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE CO-OPERATIVE UNIVERSITY OF KENYA’S 2ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON INNOVATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT 26TH MARCH, 2018 AT THE CRCC The PS, State department of co-operative development, Mr. Ismael NoorThe Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Ibrahim M. AliMembers of the University Council present,The Acting Vice-Chancellor, The Co-operative University of Kenya, Prof. Kamau NgamauThe Deputy Vice-Chancellors & Members of the University Management Boards and Senates present,CEOs of NACCOs, Co-operatives Societies and other organizationsThe Co-operative University of Kenya Staff and StudentsInvited GuestsColleagues,Members of Staff and students;Ladies and Gentlemen,I take this opportunity to welcome you all to our 2nd Annual Conference on Innovations for Sustainable Co-operative Development here at CUK today. Various cross-cutting issues will discussed around the themes and subthemes thereof. We are glad that you made time to be with us for the two days of this conference. This is the 1st Conference we are holding since we were awarded a University Charter on 7th October, 2016. The Division of Co-operative Development, Research and Innovation endeavors to have a sustained Annual Conference without fail in future. These for a will provide a appropriate opportunity especially for the Co-operative sector and academia to exchange ideas, take stock of the progress of the movement and share knowledge and research findings. We are hopeful that this conference goes a long way to achieve its objectives at the end of the 2 days.   Our Chief Guest,Co-operative enterprises are very important to Global Economic development; they are sure vehicles for socioeconomic transformation of a society and Nation. Kenya has a long history of Co-operative development that has been characterized by strong growth and resilience thus making a significant contribution to the overall growth of the economy. The government of Kenya recognizes Co-operatives as a major contributor to National Development; as such co-operatives are found in almost all sectors of the economy. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is important to note that the greatest contribution of co-operatives to Kenya’s social and economic development is in the financial sector where financial co-operatives (savings and credit co-operatives [SACCOs], Co-operative Bank and Corporative Insurance Company of Kenya (CIC) hold substantial savings’ portfolios, accounting for over 31% of Gross National Savings. Bearing this in mind, it is paramount that this sector is given keen interests particularly in its management and sustainability.   Ladies and gentlemen,This conference we begin today provides a forum for interdisciplinary interactions among academia, researchers, Policy makers, Government and business leaders to exchange ideas with a view to finding suitable solutions to some of the challenges facing the society, private and public organizations. Finally Ladies and Gentlemen, I sincerely appreciate, the management of CUK, the division of co-operative development, research and innovation for their support to make this a success. I also wish to appreciate the conference planning committee for their contribution and efforts for this day. I wish all the participants a fruitful stay in CUK and a lasting experience from this conference. At this moment allow me to invite the vice chancellor to give his remarks and later invite the Chief Guest to officially open the conferenceThank You and God Bless You All.

The Co-operative University of Kenya CUK wishes to advise students of revised opening dates as follows New Students 5th September  Continuing Students 11th September

REMARKS OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR OF THE CO-OPERATIVE UNIVERSITY OF KENYA PROF. KAMAU NGAMAU ON THE OCCASION OF THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE INDUCTION WORKSHOP OF CUK’S STUDENTS’ LEADERS AT DON BOSCO YOUTH EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, KAREN ON 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2017 AT 3.25PMLadies and GentlemenThis afternoon marks the end of your three-day training here at Don Bosco Youth Education services and it is my hope you have had a good interactive and education session. Allow me to start by thanking the organizers of this induction workshop for you as students’ leaders; the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs through The Office of The Dean of Students’ and her staff and also extend my thanks to you for being here and enduring the chilly weather over the last three days.Allow me to start by congratulating you on your election to various positions of students’ leadership in last academic year’s students’ elections. Sometimes political campaigns can be gruesome at the University but I hope you have gotten over it. The students entrusted you with the leadership perhaps because of the issues you articulated during your campaigns but most likely because of the potential they saw in your individual selves. They believed in you. You should not let them down by not believing in yourselves and delivering quality leadership.Ladies and Gentlemen,I challenge you to be critical thinkers and take your leadership style to a higher level. Approach issues with solutions and not with troubles. A University must produce leaders for a Nation who can guide the populace across the Globe. The Management of the University is convinced that by holding this workshop of students’ leaders, we are going to have a greater good for the entire students’ body.Further, I call upon you to now get to work. Work as team, move together. Talk to one another. Have round table discussions. Listen to each other. You will disagree, but do not be divided on a good course. If you do that, we are certain that petty issues of ethnicity, insecurity, probable radicalization of University students, miscommunication, and fights will be a thing of the past.I urge you, as you enjoy the privileges of being a student leader and great cultural diversities of a University life, strike a considerably healthy balance with the academic life. At CUK we need to build you as a whole person and not just one side.At the end of your tenure as a leader, you need to sit back and look at what you did, listen to criticism and perhaps once another opportunity arises in future you do better. If you fail this test, that will be a tragedy of enormous scopes.Ladies and Gentlemen,I will remind you the story of the United States Navy Admiral William M. H., the commander of the forces that organized a raid to kill Osama Bin Laden; While addressing Graduates at the University of Texas, he once said, “If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day; it will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. And by the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.”Young Men and Women,You are not leaders to be irresponsible citizens and students. You are to show the way. I am certain you are aware of a number of university policies. It is your duty and moral obligation to come to us as we do to you once you realize things are moving in a manner not prescribed. We have an open door policy and students, you are our priority; call on us anytime.Lastly, I trust you remain good ambassadors of The Co-operative University of Kenya as before and fly high our flag as an internationally reputed University. We trust that our research and teaching as a University build you to come out of the University as the others have, as an intellectual per excellence.I wish you a fruitful stay at the University and success in your academia,Ladies and gentlemen, with these few remarks, I now wish to declare this induction workshop officially closed. GOD BLESS YOU.