Corporate Social Responsibility

By Meshack M. Ngangi, MPRSK | September 12, 2025 The Co-operative University of Kenya officially welcomed its first-year students through a vibrant five-day orientation programme designed to equip the new cohort with essential knowledge and skills for their academic journey. The programme commenced with opening remarks from Mr. Zachary Njeru, Ag. Registrar (Academic, Co-operative Development, Research, and Innovation), who outlined the key academic engagements awaiting the new learners. This was followed by sessions led by Ms. Hellen Njuki from Examinations and Certification and Ms. Joy Ayuma from Admissions and Students Registry, who sensitized the students on critical processes around admissions, timetabling, and examination regulations. Dr. Charles Wambu, Ag. Director of the Directorate of Academic Quality Assurance (DAQA), then introduced the students to the university’s mechanisms for maintaining academic excellence. Equally important was the guidance provided by Ms. Hellen Njoroge from Student Finance, who explained financial processes, while Mr. Cornelius Mutuku, Mr. Benson Mahiga, and Ms. Megane Anjavo demonstrated the university’s ICT infrastructure, ensuring students became acquainted with the digital resources that would support and enhance their studies. The second day focused on governance, security, and communication. The Registrar (Finance, Planning and Administration), represented by the Principal Human Resource Manager, Ms. Anne Jemimma Mmata, officially welcomed the students and guided them on responsible stewardship of university resources. The Chief Security Officer, Mr. Isaiah Thuranira, sensitized learners on security protocols within and outside the campus, offering practical tips on safety and vigilance. This was followed by a session led by Mr. Victor James Njogu, Head of Corporate Communication and Marketing, who engaged the students on the handling of complaints and compliments, available feedback channels, and the provisions of the Access to Information Act, which empowers learners to seek and receive information through official channels. These sessions fostered responsibility, awareness, and confidence, laying a firm foundation for effective interaction with the university’s governance and communication structures. On the third day, attention turned to digital learning. Dr. Duncan Nyale, Director of the Institute of Open, Distance, and e-Learning (IODeL), together with his team, conducted a sensitization training on the university’s eMasomo platform. Leveraging the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS), this platform equips learners with flexible and seamless access to course materials while nurturing critical competencies such as problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. The session prepared students to fully embrace digital tools as a central part of their learning journey. The fourth day emphasized student wellness and welfare. The Dean of Students, Dr. Lucinda Mugaa, highlighted the role of the University’s AIDS Control and Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ADA) Unit in creating HIV/AIDS awareness and addressing substance abuse challenges. She also encouraged students to participate actively in co-curricular activities through sports, clubs, and societies. This was complemented by a presentation from Ms. Tabitha Kiarie, the in-charge of the University Health Unit, who introduced the learners to the institution’s modern health facility, which provides standard outpatient services to students during academic sessions. Further, the Principal Human Resource Manager, Ms. Anne Jemimma Mmata, sensitized students on the University’s Sexual Harassment Policy, underscoring the institution’s commitment to creating a safe and dignified learning environment in line with national laws and student regulations. The fifth and final day of the orientation focused on information access and academic support. Ms. Miriam Ndungu, representing the University Library, guided students through the wide array of information resources available to them. She introduced both physical and digital platforms, including the RemoteXs system, which grants students access to e-books, journals, and other research materials from anywhere. Through this session, learners were equipped with the skills to effectively utilize library resources to support their studies and research throughout their academic journey. The comprehensive five-day programme ensured that all first-year students were well-informed about the university’s systems, policies, and support structures. By blending academic, administrative, digital, wellness, and information access orientations, The Co-operative University of Kenya successfully laid a strong foundation for its newest members, preparing them to excel both academically and personally. The institution warmly welcomes its first-year students to the CUK community and looks forward to nurturing their success.

By Meshack Ngangi August 1, 2024 The Co-operative University of Kenya yesterday hosted the first series of CUK and University Community Sports Day at the Main Campus, Karen-Nairobi. This event brought together participants drawn from the local University neighbourhood, including CUK Business Community, Naboka Sacco, the BodaBoda Operators, and the University Staff and Students. During the event, a team from the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital provided free comprehensive oral and eye care screening to the participants. This event aimed to establish, bolster, and sustain symbiotic relationships between the University and the immediate community as part of the institution’s initiatives to enhance its corporate social investment. Relationships between organizations and their neighbouring communities through such engagement forums spur discussions, deliberations, and declarations that ensure growth, shared prosperity, and sustainable futures.   The Vice Chancellor of The Co-operative University of Kenya, Prof. Kamau Ngamau, reiterated the need for good inter-relations between the University and the neighboring community citing the infinite opportunities of growth in the perspective of these relationships. “As a University, we are acutely cognizant of the potential of development that lies ahead of us if we present a united front in tackling our challenges, seizing opportunities of growth, and celebrating successes as one community,” acclaimed Prof. Ngamau. The day’s sports and athletic competitions included football, 100m, 200m, egg race, sack race, and tug-of-war for both male and female categories. Participants in these activities, drawn from the University and the Community, exemplified talent, skill, and innate capabilities coupled with infinite passion for excellence.  The University’s student Football Team emerged as the winners after beating the Staff team 1-0 in the heated finals, thereby crowned the victors in the male category. In the tug-of-war, the CUK Business community vanquished the University’s team to clinch a triumph in the women’s category, whereas the University men tug-of-war emerged victorious in their cadre. The following were the winners of different individual competitions: Maureen Simiyu (staff) and Collins Odhiambo (student) won the sack race, Maureen Soyandet (staff) and Lawrence Mutiso (community) emerged victorious in the egg race, Neville Ochieng (student) and Millicent Chepkorir (student) claimed victory in the 100m, and Brian Mutuse (student) and Millicent Chepkorir (student) won the 200m. The awarding ceremony was presided over by Dr. Edna Musyoki, the acting director of the Institute of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (I-TVET). She congratulated the winners of the day’s event and challenged the defeated participants to keep grinding and develop their craft to finesse.

The DVC CDRI – Prof Isaac K Nyamongo Members of the University Management Board and Senate present Chairperson of the Student Governing Council – Collins Otundo Other members of the Student Governing Council present Invited Guests Ladies and Gentlemen Good Morning, I am truly honored  to be here this morning to take part in this Tree Planting exercise where we shall be planting and nurturing 1,500 trees, a fraction of the 10,100 trees donated to CUK by The Equity group under their 35 Million Tree planting Campaign across the country. The trees we will be planting today will include the eucalyptus, blue gum, pine and assorted indigenous trees. Prof. Isaac K. Nyamongo, Deputy Vice- Chancellor (CDRI) planting a tree In this regard, I would like to thank the Equity Group PLC for including us in this amazing campaign that is aimed at making the world and the environment better going into the future. I would also like to thank the Public Relations and Marketing Department for organizing this tree planting exercise and give a special thanks to the Environmental Club for the commendable work that you have been doing in the university with regard to environmental conservation. I also want to most sincerely appreciate the Student Governing Council for mobilizing the students to take part in this very important activity. Hongera! We are delighted to take part in this initiative that will boost the university’s, neighboring community and Kenya’s tree cover as a whole whilst serving as a reminder of the responsibility we have of improving, managing and leaving our ecological footprints within the communities where we live and operate. Through this exercise, all of us will be greatly contributing to to providing  green spaces for CUK, creating a cleaner, healthier and sustainable environment for ourselves and for our neighboring communities. Ladies and gentlemen, The environment really plays a vital role in healthy living and the existence of all living  organisms on planet earth. Earth is a home for different living species and we all are dependent on the environment for food, air, water, and other needs. It is however very sad that a great number of people have forgotten to maintain a sustainable relationship with the environment. By focusing on satisfying our food and shelter needs at the expense of the environment, trees have been cut down to pave way for population explosion, development and infrastructural needs which in turn has led to deforestation, biodiversity loss and air & water pollution which has greatly contributed to climate change. I would like to challenge each one of  us, and especially the CUK fraternity, to think  more about our environment & keep in mind that it is very important for every individual to save and protect our environment because if we neglect the environment, we will suffer the consequences of extreme weather patterns, drought & famine  which is a reality in the modern world. We must urgently do something to safeguard and protect the environment. Let us be encouraged & encourage others as well  to plant trees, conserve  the water bodies, practice sustainable waste management by reducing, reusing and recycling what we buy and use. Let us also volunteer for clean up activities in our communities and beyond and let us all research and educate ourselves on how we can conserve the environment in alternative ways leaving our planet earth a better place than we found it. Once again, I would like to thank the Equity Group, for thinking green and taking an initiative to green Kenya. I also want to thank the Environmental Club of The Co-operative University of Kenya, and all of you here today in a special way for taking part in this tree planting exercise. Ladies and gentlemen, Let me crown my remarks by wishing you all an enjoyable tree planting exercise and end with these wise words by Mohith Agadi – “The Environment is no one’s property to destroy; it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect”. God Bless you, God bless The Co-operative University of Kenya