The Open University of Kenya (OUK), which was first proposed 14 years ago, has now been granted a charter to start operations. President William Ruto signed the charter in the Konza Technopolis, the organization’s future home. With the grant of the charter, it becomes Kenya’s first public open university.
The first group of students will be admitted in September and will pursue online education, according to Dr Ruto.
James Mwangi, CEO of Equity Bank, was appointed chancellor of the university after receiving the honour. The president is the chancellor, but he or she can appoint someone else, according to the OUK constitution.
Prof Elijah Omwenga is the vice-chancellor, and Prof Ezra Maritim is the chairman of the university council.
University students will study via open and distance learning.
Dr. Ruto described the university as a “hustler university,” and said tuition fees would be half of what students pay at traditional universities.
He did not, however, say how much the courses would cost.
The university has relocated from its previous location in the Nacosti building on Waiyaki Way to Konza.
It is now housed in the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), a postgraduate specialist university being established with assistance from South Korea. It was inspired by the Korean Institute of Science and Technology.
Why Ruto Approves
“Kenya makes history by opening the doors of the university to anyone who wishes to receive the highest level of education from the comfort of their home, office, kiosk, farm, or other hustles.” Those who do not wish or cannot afford to abandon their other interests in order to pursue university education can now enrol on more convenient terms,” Dr Ruto said.
He announced that admitted students would be eligible for government loans and bursaries under the recently established higher education financing framework.
“This is a university for herders, farmers, mama mboga, matatu drivers, bodaboda drivers, domestic workers, and trained professionals and graduates.” Nothing says ‘bottom-up’ like The Open University of Kenya; it truly is the People’s University,” Dr Ruto said.
A team of consultants developed the curriculum content for the programmes on offer this year, which was later approved by the Commission for Higher Education.
Bachelor of Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, Bachelor of Data Science, Bachelor of Technology Education, Bachelor of Science in Business and Entrepreneurship and Statistics, and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Food Systems are the initial courses offered by OUK.
The university will also offer postgraduate diplomas in leadership and accountability, as well as learning design and technology.
