University News

REMARKS OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR OF THE CO-OPERATIVE UNIVERSITY OF KENYA PROF. KAMAU NGAMAU ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE CUK’S CULTURAL DAY ON 16TH JUNE, 2017 AT CUK, 9.00AM Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic affairs, Prof. Emily Akuno Deputy vice Chancellor, Finance, Planning and Administration, Prof. Esther Magiri Deputy Vice Chancellor CDR&I, Prof. Isaac NyamongoOur guest speaker from the National Cohesion and Integration CommissionMembers of the University Management Board,Members of staffStudents’ leadersStudentsDancers from the Bomas of KenyaLadies and gentlemen, Today we gather here to celebrate an important aspect of our lives we live every day. I am certain this will be an exciting day for all of us. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me before we divulge into the agenda of the day, to congratulate our Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Prof. Emily Achieng Akuno on her election as the World President of International Music Council some few days ago in Pafos, Cypress. Emily is a Professor of Music, a great asset to this University and I believe that her expertise in music should be able to place CUK strategically in the Global map. As you are all aware, this is the first cultural day we are celebrating as The Co-operative University of Kenya after award of Charter last year. We will make greater efforts to make this a one week-event as time goes by because we may not achieve all we need to in a day. I know the planers of the event have made significant efforts to make this day a success. Ladies and Gentlemen,This year’s theme of our cultural day is ‘Promoting Peace, National Unity and Cohesion through our Cultural Diversity’. The theme is well chosen to rhyme with the activities lined up for the day. It has come at a time when we are gearing towards general elections on 8th, August, 2017. We are all called upon to shun ethnicity and be one Kenya, one people.Ladies and Gentlemen,Whereas culture is the dress of life and the beauty of our identity as human beings, it is one of the most misunderstood and misused concepts of humanity especially here I Africa; for instance in Kenya, we are over 45 million people. It would be such a boring country if we all spoke the same languages, ate the same food, wore the same or similar clothes, and had the same heritages among others. Then what would we learn from each other. None of us is born with culture; instead we are born in a cultural world. This we use to tell our story. We are a beautiful nation with the Ohangla of the Nyanza, the Chakacha of the Coastal Kenya, the Kamba dances in the lower Eastern parts of Kenya, the Mwomboko dance of Central Kenya, and the Isukuti dance in Western Kenya etcetera; This is truly a magical Kenya. Aspects of our culture including our foods, our languages, music, our natural heritages, historical facts and stories, our day-today economic activities define who we are. Ladies and gentlemen, these facets of our culture both tangible and intangible are the cornerstone of our nation building; we use them to reconstruct and soothe the soul of our Nation. Culture can also be used to deconstruct a nation and societies. No community’s culture is superior to the other. When our forefathers initiated our practices, they had ideas and reasons why. I wish to encourage all of us to use the lessons of our culture to live in harmony with one another. Ladies and gentlemen,As I conclude, let’s go back to the basic of our culture. All of our cultures are strong in morality, strong behaviors, strong friendships and strong family values. I have not seen a culture that entertains moral decadence, drug and substance abuse among others. Ladies and gentlemen, with those few remarks, I declare this cultural day officially open. God Bless you all.

The Co-operative University of Kenya has launched its 5 –year Strategic Plan with a strong focus to growing its academic and infrastructure in the next five years. Speaking at the launch of the ambitious blue print on 2nd December, 2017 during the University’s Graduation Ceremony at the Main Campus in Karen, CUE Chairman Prof. Nyagoiti Chacha noted that growth of the University needed a clear focus on the caliber of its graduates. He added that CUK’s strategic plan would give the university council and management a strategic direction to steer the university during the 5-year period. He further congratulated CUK on its ISO 9001: 2015 QMS certification. CUK becomes the 2nd university in Kenya to get this coveted ISO certification.This certification is a result of the CUK’s establishment, implementation and maintenance of effective documentation and high levels of quality management. The University now proudly joins the elite Group of Global Institutions that embrace best practices for business efficiency and customer satisfaction through the provision of quality service.This accomplishment will not only increase CUK’s competitiveness and visibility in the market but also establish a criteria to be used consistently in all areas of its operations. The Co-operative University of Kenya remains committed to continually improve service delivery, as this is one of the key pillars contained in the ISO 9001:2015 International Standards.CUK’s Strategic Plan has been revised to serve the period 2017-2022 from the previous 2015-2020. This strategic plan will develop a Globally Competitive University Excellent in Education, Training, Research and Outreach.At the heart of this Strategic Plan, is an ambitious project of a state of the art Learning Resource Centre which will cost us Kshs. 2.7 Billion. In its entirety, to implement this Strategic Plan, the University will require a total of 7.4 Billion Shillings in the next five years. We believe this dream will come to fruition.To realize the objectives of the strategic plan, CUK has articulated the shared Vision, Mission, Strategic objectives, leadership and governance, implementation, monitoring and evaluation strategies and resource requirements for the period July 2017 – June 2022. In developing the Strategic Plan, the university recognized its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. To actualize the strategies and activities outlined in the Strategic Plan, the University will continue to engage key stakeholders and the operational processes will be reviewed continuously to provide any necessary strategic adjustments.

An In-depth Interview With Mohamed M Maie, President And CEO Of Malaq Maye Cooperative Institute(MMCI)

Rachel Kerubo, a student at The co-operative University of Kenya taking a  bachelor’s degree in cooperative business fourth year majoring in Finance, is a hockey maestro who has beaten the odds to be on top of the game in Kenya having been selected to the national team. from humble beginnings as a junior hockey player at Kisumu Girls’ High school in form 1 third term, she ended up as the team’s captain while in form 2 being the youngest to lead the team to the nationals.  While playing as a defender. All the four years in high school, hockey was her game. Joining CUK in the year 2014, this gave her exposure to join Amira Sailors which is sponsored by chase Bank. In early 2016 she was spotted by the national hockey team and called up to join the under 21 team taking up as the goalkeeper.  The U21 failed to go for the tournament they were to go. Determined, she was called join to the ladies national team and kept on with vigorous training as a goalkeeper. She managed to make for the final cut of the 18 players for the national team. We went for the round 1 hockey qualifiers in Accra, Ghana. Kerubo is set to play for Kenya national team again in Ismailia, Egypt for the African cup of Nations which will also act as a world cup qualifier which is to take place in 2018. The African cup of Nation will take place from 22nd to 29th October 2017.

The Deputy Vice Chancellors: Academic Affairs, Prof. Emily Achieng Akuno Finance, Planning and Administration Prof. Esther Magiri Co-operative Development, Research and Innovation Prof. Isaac Nyamongo The Registrars,02 The Deans of Schools Directors of Campuses institutes and Directories Members of the academia Other members of staff Students’ leaders present Our new students Ladies and gentlemen,   This afternoon, I am delighted to welcome you to The Co-operative University of Kenya. We are happy seeing young, energetic and enthusiastic men and women ready for higher education. Thank you for choosing this great University to shape your careers. This will be your home for the next couple of years!   Dear freshmen and women, Allow me to congratulate for your performance in KCSE last year. You are the few we selected based on your performance among the thousands who had chosen to be here. As you may be aware this is not just any other university. We are known for the quality of graduates who come out of here for many years.  I wish to reiterate and remind you right from the beginning that quality education is of essence. I am aware earlier in the day; you have interacted with various heads of sections and departments who gave you guidance on your stay here.   I note with appreciation that since you came, we have not had any challenges and complaints. We are a student-centered University with an open door policy. Further take note that we have elaborate structures as you have been advised for communication and handling conflicts in case they rise. As you join The Co-operative University of Kenya, we are all in pursuit of a co-operative family. We live united and happy together. That is the spirit of a co-operative family. We will offer you the best to our ability. I am moved to believe your dreams shall come true if you remain faithful to them. Dear students, We train students not to be job seekers but job creators. We train entrepreneurs.  The earlier you tune your minds to this principal the better. To objectify this, our flagship project of a purely managed students’ Sacco is up and running; the Co-operative University Students Sacco is fully owned and managed by our University Students. This is the first of its kind. I encourage you to learn a savings’ culture, practice responsible and accountable leadership. This will inculcate in you the skills that you will learn in your lecture halls. As freshmen and women joining this University, you are well aware that Universities are centers of academic excellence. Ours is not only a centre of excellence abut over and above all our VISION STATEMENT is very clear; we yearn to be a leading global University in training, Research and Innovation for Co-operative development. Freshmen and Women, As a community of scholars, we value discipline. We value integrity more so academic integrity. I call upon all of you to conduct yourselves maturely. I wish to remind you that you came from your homes alone and alone you will go to the job market at the end of your programme. Most of the times, you start schooling as many but at the need of the session, most of the time some are filtered by the system. I urge you to be our good ambassadors in and out of this University. I am confident that The Co-operative University of Kenya is committed to provision of quality education as our core mandate remains unmatched. Once again welcome to The Co-operative University of Kenya. I wish you a prosperous academic life ahead.

2015 graduates who have not confirmed their names to do so before Tuesday 1st December 2015 at their respective Faculties to enable processing of their certificates. No certificate will be processed if the name is not confirmed. 2014 and 2013 graduates who have not collected their certificates to do so before 18th December 2015. Storage charges will be introduced for certificates that have not been collected within 6 months after processing. Graduates will be required to produce a duly filled clearance form (Revised clearance form) in the examination office for them to be allowed to collect their certificates.

The 4th Graduation ceremony of The Co-operative University College of Kenya comes shortly after the university college has completed four years since elevation to a Constituent College of JKUAT on 4th November, 2011, being the first University College in Kenya focusing on training, research and consultancy in the field of co-operative. A total of 548 students were awarded various diplomas and certificates in Cooperative Management on the 20th November, 2015. The ceremony was presided over by the chancellor of JKUAT Prof. Geoffrey Ole Maloiy. Being a young institution, this was an important event in the University calendar. When the institution was elevated to a Constituent College 4 years ago there was only one diploma programme offered in the institution; the number of programmes offered in the University College has been increased to 16 programmes, four degree programmes, 12 diplomas and 3 certificate programmes. This is while maintaining the unique niche in the field of Co-operative training, research and extension. Over the period, the institution has witnessed a steady increase in student enrolment; from a population of about 780 students in 2011/2012, the student- population has grown by over 400% increase in enrollment. Over the 4 year period, the CUCK has established collaborations with different organizations locally and internationally, which are beneficial to progress of the University. Locally, CUCK has signed MOUs with Ministry of Industrialization and Enterprise Development, Meru County Government, Taita-Taveta County Government, Co-operative Alliance of Kenya and SACCO Societies’ Regulatory Authority (SASRA). Internationally , CUCK has collaborated with World Council of Credit Unions- WOCCU, Mondragon University, Spain; Pardview University in USA; International Co-operative Alliance; Union of Somalia Co-operative Movement; These collaborations, through the MOUs signed have direct benefits for our University now and in future. CUCK has further set a firm foundation for research in the wider field of Co-operatives and Co-operative Business Management through establishment of research fund for facilitating academic staff in the University to do research and disseminate their findings for use in improving operations of co-operatives and related businesses. Towards this end, in the 2014/2015 financial year, CUCK has funded 8 different studies focusing on Co-operative Business. CUCK has further made bold first towards an inclusive University; open to all persons living with different disabilities. The University has admitted the first crop of students living with visual disabilities. Working together, the Council, Management, staff and students of The Co-operative University College of Kenya have clearly drawn plans for moving the University forward.

The CUCK Principal Prof Douglas Shitanda and CUCK’s Institute of Co-operative Development, Director Prof. Esther Gicheru attends the African Co-operative Ministerial Conference, Gaborone; Botswana, from the 11-15th October, 2015. The Ministers’ Conference brings together governments and Co-operative movement leaders to take stock of the achievements made so far. The objective of bringing government and co-operative leaders together is to take stock of the achievements made based on the resolutions of the 10th African co-operative ministerial conference held in Kigali Rwanda and also deliberate on how best the advantages of the co-operative business model can be harnessed to contribute towards the AU agenda 2063 and to engage with the government’s to achieve this objective. The theme of the conference is ‘contribution of co-operatives to AU Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. The proceedings of the ICA Africa, Cooperative Ministers Meeting, Prof. Shitanda served as the Programme director during the first day of the conference while Prof. Gicheru led a group session on Reviving Pan Africanism and the vision for African Renaissance using the Co-operative Identity.

The University College in its obligations to promote the 30% uptake of procurement opportunities, under youth, women and people with disabilities, wish to encourage the registration of firms, that have acquired, the relevant certificates from the National Treasury, to forward their applications the University College Procurement Department, for registration to be able to participate in the tendering proceedings as and when required, the requirements for registration are as follows: Certificate of incorporation Pin certificate Tax compliance certificate Provide Certificate under any of the following categories: (a)Disadvantaged group- (Women) (b)Youth Access to Government procurement opportunities (YAGPO)   (c)Persons living with Disabilities (PLD)