University News

By Meshack M. Ngangi | January 30, 2025 The Co-operative University of Kenya’s community was excited as it welcomed the newly appointed Chancellor, Dr. Bernard William Chitunga, on his inaugural visit. This was no ordinary occasion—it was a homecoming filled with emotion, nostalgia, and an inspiring reminder of the power of perseverance. Once a junior staff member serving as an Assistant Programmes Officer at the University’s Agri and Co-operative Training and Consultancy (ATC) Services Ltd, the Chancellor’s rise to the titular head of the institution was a testament to dedication and growth. His return was met with admiration, pride, and an overwhelming feeling of possibility for both staff and students. The Chancellor’s appointment, effective 10th January 2025, was made by His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, and officially gazetted, marking a significant milestone in his distinguished career. He is the second Chancellor to be appointed since the university was chartered in October 2016, succeeding the late Hon. Joseph Nyagah, the institution’s inaugural Chancellor. His leadership is expected to usher in a new era of transformation and excellence for CUK. Beyond his zeal to elevate the institution’s status, Dr. Bernard William Chitunga has established strong international ties with world economic powers such as China. These connections are expected to open doors for strategic partnerships, research collaborations, and infrastructural advancements that will further elevate the university’s global standing. Before this role, he served as Head of Partnerships, Donors, and Special Projects at the African Development Bank (AfDB), showcasing his exceptional leadership across Africa.  With a passion for education and development, Dr. Chitunga’s academic journey culminated with a doctoral thesis at Selinus University. His motto, “Son of Chegulo and Africa,” reflects his deep connection to his heritage and his commitment to advancing Africa’s progress. Dr. Chitunga envisions establishing strong partnerships for infrastructural and academic developments, ensuring the university remains at the forefront of innovation and excellence. The Chancellor was met with enthusiastic applause as he arrived on campus, greeted by the university’s Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kamau Ngamau, Deputy Vice-Chancellor—Finance, Planning, and Administration Prof. Esther Gicheru, Deputy Vice-Chancellor—Academic, Co-operative Development, Research, and Innovation Prof. Isaac K. Nyamongo, senior management, faculty members, and staff. The atmosphere was electric as colleagues and former mentors exchanged warm words, reflecting on his early days within the institution. Many long-serving employees fondly shared memories of working alongside him, recalling his commitment, attention to detail, and the camaraderie he fostered. As the Chancellor walked through the university’s halls, now in a position of leadership, the moment underscored a remarkable full-circle journey. During his tour of the university’s key facilities—including lecture halls, the cutting-edge environmental laboratories for the School of Co-operative and Community Development, advanced computer laboratories in the School of Computing and Mathematics, and outstanding Agri and Co-operative Training and Consultancy (ATC) Services Ltd—the Chancellor made it a priority to engage with staff. He listened intently to their concerns, celebrated their successes, and reassured them of his commitment to advancing the university’s academic and infrastructural growth. One of the most significant moments of the visit was the Chancellor’s meeting with the University Council. In an impactful speech, Dr. Bernard W. Chitunga spoke about the need for cooperative courage—the ability to stand together in the face of challenges, embrace opportunities, and collaborate toward common goals and the achievement of the University’s mission. He emphasized that the future of The Co-operative University of Kenya depends on teamwork, adaptability, and a shared vision of excellence, the very tenets that form the foundation upon which our core values are derived. In the discourses, the Chancellor emphasized harnessing the “cooperative courage” to scale up the University to incredible heights of excellence as a world-class institution of higher learning. Present at the meeting were Council Members: Ms. Christine Kariuki, a representative of the PS State Department for Higher Education and Research; Ms. Susan Kariuki, a representative of the PS National Treasury; Ms. Elizabeth Kimkung; Mr. John W. Kihara; Ms. Peris Onsarigo, Mr. Christopher  Ogechi Ombati, the Council Secretary & Vice Chancellor Prof. Kamau Ngamau, PhD, EBS. Additionally, the Chancellor addressed pressing concerns related to facilities and infrastructure, highlighting the need for continued investment in modernizing classrooms, laboratories, and student accommodations. Dr. Chitunga emphasized that a university’s strength is not only in its people but also in its ability to provide cutting-edge resources that foster innovation and academic excellence. Perhaps the most moving part of the visit was the Chancellor’s speech to the staff. His words resonated deeply as he recounted his journey from a junior staff member to his current role. He reflected on the values that shaped him—hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in education’s transformative power. “Standing before you today, I am reminded of my humble beginnings within these very walls. This journey has been one of resilience and continuous learning. Let this be a reminder that every role in this institution, no matter how small it may seem, is significant in building a thriving academic environment,” said the Chancellor, Dr. Bernard William Chitunga. His words were met with nods of agreement and bursts of applause as staff members felt both seen and inspired. He went on to outline his vision for the university, pledging to champion academic excellence, prioritize staff development, and advocate for improved welfare. He assured everyone that his leadership would focus on fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and empowering work environment. In addition to discussing cooperative courage, the Chancellor also spoke passionately about cooperative genius—the collective intelligence and creativity that emerge when individuals work together toward a shared vision of CUK. He encouraged staff to harness their diverse skills and ideas to drive innovation and excellence, and make The Co-operative University of Kenya a university of excellence in education, research, innovation, and cooperative training.

By Meshack M. Ngangi | January 24, 2025 The Co-operative University of Kenya continues to be a global leader and trailblazer in academia, especially with particular emphasis on cooperative training. This January 2025, we had the privilege of hosting Ms. Julia Beideck, a doctoral student in the Faculty of Management, Economics, and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne in Germany.  In an interview with Meshack Ngangi, a public relations officer at the university, Ms. Beideck, a Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) scholar, identified her keen interest in cultural cooperatives, which form the basis of her doctoral dissertation. She noted that there are cultural cooperatives in Germany, which are a relatively new subtype of cooperatives, giving examples of cinema cooperatives, theater cooperatives, and museum cooperatives, among which handicraft cooperatives exist. With an unquenched thirst for knowledge beyond borders, Ms. Beideck expressed academic curiosity about handicraft cooperatives triggered by a scientific paper she had engaged with. Given that Kenya’s cooperative movement is ranked the leading in Africa and seventh globally with an asset base of over 1 trillion Kenyan Shillings, her interest in collecting data on Kenyan handicraft cooperatives and enhancing a deeper understanding of them by attending (doctoral) courses has been further established. The data collected in combination with the insights gained from the university professors and faculty staff would essentially inform her planned scientific study paper, which would provide a comparative case study of a handicraft cooperative in Kenya and a handicraft cooperative in Germany. Expounding on her fulfilling experience, Ms. Beideck noted that both purposes of her academic exploration had been accomplished since she had the chance to collect the data and attend a few courses. “I met a few people. I had several conversations, for example, with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kamau Ngamau, with different professors, PhD students, and the Co-operative Alliance of Kenya (CAK), and with several stakeholders here at the campus. So I’m really happy and glad to be here because I could fulfill both of my purposes,” said Julia. Further, Ms. Beideck highlighted that she achieved beyond her expectations because the opportunity to be in Kanya afforded her a chance to interact with many people, exchange ideas, and experience the kind and warm hospitality of everyone she met on a personal basis and in her research endeavors. The stay at the University was a golden opportunity for her to expand her network, especially scientific networks, by connecting with Kenyan scholars on diverse research perspectives. “I would recommend it to every PhD student, not only from Germany but maybe from the whole world, to apply for a DAAD scholarship. A lot of things are new and different, but if you are open and interested, respectful, and kind, you will experience the same, and things will come back to you in the same way,“ said Ms. Beideck. As her parting shot, Ms. Julia Beideck expressed that greater and groundbreaking achievements would be attained if researchers (worldwide) like her interested in cooperatives worked together since they have so much that connects them in terms of ideas, expertise, competencies, and interests.

Strengthening Leadership, Collaboration, and Organizational Excellence for Future Growth The Co-operative University of Kenya recently hosted a high-level workshop for the University Council and the University Management Board (UMB) under the theme “Strengthening Leadership, Collaboration, and Organizational Excellence for Future Growth”. The workshop was aimed at equipping participants with critical leadership skills, enhancing board governance practices, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability within the institution. The sessions focused on developing leadership skills that drive innovation and sustainable growth, improving governance structures, and strengthening the collaboration between the board and management. Participants explored strategies for increasing productivity and organizational performance, with an emphasis on fostering a results-driven culture. Additionally, the workshop provided insights into financial management, reporting, and the external auditing process to promote transparency and accountability in decision-making. The workshop featured distinguished facilitators who led engaging sessions on various topics. FCPA Dr. John Mudany delivered an insightful session on Effective Leadership and Finance for Non-Finance Managers, equipping leaders with essential financial acumen. Ms Damaris Ndungwa shared expertise on Building High-Performance Teams through Organizational Culture, highlighting the significance of a strong institutional identity in driving success. FCS, Jeremiah Karanja, CEO, ICS, led an engaging discussion on Team Dynamics & Collaboration in Governance and Emotional Intelligence for Cohesive Teams, emphasizing the need for synergy in leadership. Ms. Jacqueline Manani from the Public Service Commission (PSC) guided participants through the complexities of Labour Laws & the Legal Framework for Human Resource Management, ensuring a thorough understanding of compliance and best HR practices. Ms. Jane Maina from the National Productivity and Competitiveness Centre (NPCC) provided valuable insights into Productivity Management in Public Service & Productivity Improvement Strategies, focusing on operational efficiency and service delivery. Mr. John Karingithi from the Office of Auditor General (OAG) elaborated on the External Auditing Process, outlining the critical role of audits in ensuring accountability and the emphasis that the government has on zero-fault audits. Additionally, a session on Risk Management by Mr. Griffine Songole from the Institute of Internal Auditors highlighted the importance of proactive risk assessment in strategic planning with the organization. This workshop was an invaluable opportunity for leaders to refine their skills, align their strategies with best practices, and enhance collaboration for future growth. The discussions and insights shared during the event will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening leadership, governance, and overall institutional excellence at the university. The Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Jeremy Bundi, gave the firm commitment the university council has in steering CUK to greater heights and ensuring that they provide effective leadership to fast-track the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2022-2027. “The full implementation of the ambitious and bold strategic plan 2022-2027 will ensure that the University goes into the future stronger and financially stable,” he noted.