REMARKS BY THE VICE CHANCELLOR, THE CO-OPERATIVE UNIVERSITY OF KENYA PROF. KAMAU NGAMAU ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE CO-OPERATIVE UNIVERSITY OF KENYA’S 2ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON INNOVATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT 26TH MARCH, 2018 AT THE CRCC

The PS State department of co-operatives Mr. Ismael Noor,
The Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Ibrahim M. Ali
Members of the University Council
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, The Co-operative University of Kenya, Prof. Kamau Ngamau
The Deputy Vice-Chancellors & Members of the University Management Boards and Senates present,
CEOs of NACCOs, Co-operatives Societies and other organizations
The Co-operative University of Kenya Staff and Students
Invited Guests
Colleagues,
Members of Staff and students;
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the 2nd Annual Conference of The CUK and also to The Co-operative University of Kenya today. This Conference serves the best interests not only for the academic but also to the expansive Co-operative sector in Kenya and around the region. It is my hope that at the end of this conference, all of us are going to gain extensively in terms of knowledge and sharing of ideas that can positively transform our society and spark innovations. This conference comes at the most opportune time as our Nation is on its heels for an Industrial take-off and at the backdrop of the government’s commitment to the agenda of the Big 4 Action Plan where the co-operative sector is best suited to deliver this top-notch agenda. I wish to thanks the Division of Co-operative Development Research and Innovation for their efforts to see this 2nd Annual Conference a success.

Our Chief Guest,
The Co-operative University of Kenya continues to play a vital role in the success and sustainability of the co-operative movement in Kenya and around Africa by training suitable manpower to manage the sector. I wish to reiterate our commitment to this course for the good of humanity.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The theme of this conference ‘Innovations for Sustainable Co-operative Development’ is key to Universal Challenges Facing Co-operatives in Africa. Arguments have been advanced that coops in Africa have laid back in terms of innovations and especially in adoption of ICTs in their operations and sustained communications. By co-operatives adopting ICTs, they will be at a position to grow faster, reduce risks, be more accountable and better record keeping. The sub-themes of this conference address what may have ailed the Co-operative movement in this Country and in the Continent over the last few years. I believe by the end of this 2-day Conference, practical solutions will be suggested to revitalize the Co-operative movement in Kenya. Let us not be proud of just being the best in Africa; we need to be the best globally.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
This conference will also will create an immense resource and knowledge pool on Co-operatives, for Co-operatives and by Co-operative scholars. The best papers that will be picked in this conference are going to be published in our African Journal of Co-operative Development and Technology; this journal is an ignition spark into research on Co-operatives in this country. Let this be the iota of the much needed knowledge-based-economy in co-operative movement.

Our Chief Guest,
Technology is a vital element that cannot be ignored in any sector. Its use in transformation of the financial sector enhances efficiency in the rich World of Co-operative enterprises in Kenya and in attracting more investors in its diversified fields. I challenge the researchers here today to think of a transformative and revolutionary use of technology that can help the co-operatives to attract more savings from their members, diversify products, improve service delivery and attract the youth into the movement. This will create a culture of savings amongst your groups and increase your capital bases; further, it will in create new possibilities and frontiers for entrepreneurship in Kenya.

Our Chief Guest,
Allow me at this moment recognize and extend our warm appreciation to the sponsors of this conference; the Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Shirika Sacco Society Limited, National Research Fund, Embassy of Denmark and the Global Communities Kenya. On behalf of the University Council and the Management Board, we are grateful and happy of your support. We look forward to future partnerships in similar and other endeavors.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am certain that we are all going to put our best foot forward to make Co-operatives thrive in whichever small ways we choose to do it.

Thank you and God Bless you