The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has appealed to Institutions for Higher learning in Africa to utilize the various ways of generating funds and resources to cater for the rapid growth of the university students’ population.  This was during the Mount Kenya University 14^th Graduation Ceremony held on 03^rd August 2018, at the Mount Kenya University, Graduation Pavillion Grounds Thika- Garissa.

In a speech he made on; Financing of Higher Education in Africa for Quality and Sustainability, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe said that the rapid growth in University students’ population is a challenge to the sustainable financing of higher education in Africa; in spite of the public investment in the higher education sector in the last 15 years.  

“At the same time, our economies are struggling with many priorities to bring our countries out of poverty. Therefore, Universities are under pressure to increase financial base and control costs,” he explained.  

He highlighted crucial areas that have enhanced Higher Education in Africa and among them included: 

• Government Sponsorship of both public and private university students.
• The Governments’ commitment to offer Free Primary Education and Free Secondary Education in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa,
• Scholarships and Grants for enhancing education in Africa,
• Indirect External Aid,
• Diversification of Financing Sources,
• Scaling Faculty Research Revenue,
• Consultancy Services,
• Third stream revenue generation,
• University-Industry Partnerships, and
• Prudent financial management.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe acknowledged the founders of Mount Kenya University for the vision of contributing to Africa’s emancipation from marginalization and poverty. He congratulated all graduands upon reaching the tremendous milestone and encouraged them to live a life that is focused to a noble cause. 

“My gratitude goes to all the graduands. I commend you for the great triumph as well as achievements in your academics.  Indeed, I am delighted to celebrate this occasion with you and I bring you warm salutations from Makerere University,” he said.  

“I encourage you to take the idea of freedom that you have found at this Great University and make it ideal. continue with your interest in education. We are living in a global knowledge economy and Africa’s hope is in young people who have acquired a good education. You may not all become professors, engineers, accountants or any of the other white collar destinations, but you have been empowered to think and live responsibly and create jobs for yourselves and others,” he added. 

On 19^th September 2017, Makerere University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mount Kenya University; were the two institutions agreed to improve higher education in the region.

The MoU stipulated that the two parties will; 

1. Stimulate communication, cooperation, and partnerships between the two Colleges including exchange of students and faculty and to develop twinned curriculum thus enhancing the educational quality and resources of both Colleges.
2. Provide information on academic programmes of both Colleges so that students take full advantage of existing international education opportunities.
3. Create a collaborative relationship between MakCHS and MKUCHS in which either party will recognize the other as a partner in training and research.

Attached is the Vice Chancellor’s Speech  

Article by : Mak Public Relations Office