Government to launch university for research and innovation students
The government through the Ministry of Higher Education is set to launch a university for research and innovation students.
The Open University in Kenya is expected to provide accessible higher education to many learners. It will offer flexible learning opportunities through online courses and distance education programs, empowering individuals across Kenya to pursue their educational aspirations.
According to Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, Principal Secretary State Department for Higher Education and Research Ministry of Education, the Open University will give a chance to those who have always wanted to pursue university education but have been locked out due to poor socioeconomic conditions.
This will be achieved through the flexible admission criteria, flexible learning modes, and affordable programmes.
In other higher learning institutions, the Ministry of Higher Education has also targeted to increase enrolment from the total 20 % in total students to 60% in set related in a bid to improve access to science and technology programmes.
She added that the government will support and strengthen researchers and innovators across all universities in the country so that they can create jobs for others among other contributions.
“I urge you to join this field, which is our pillar in nurturing the bottom-up economy transformation agenda”, said PS Beatrice.
On his side, Vice Chancellor Meru University of Science and Technology Prof Romanus Odhiambo challenged the government to set aside funds for postgraduate researchers in various universities across the country saying that the government should have a strategic way to fund students so that they can dig deep in the research and innovation industry.
They were speaking during the launch of a three-day 2nd annual international conference that had attracted more than 100 researchers and innovators at Meru University.