SPEECH BY MR. ALI NOOR ISMAIL, THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, STATE DEPARTMENT OF CO-OPERATIVES, MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND CO-OPERATIVES ON THE OCCASION OF OPENING OF THE 2ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR THE CO-OPERATIVE UNIVERSITY OF KENYA, HELD ON MONDAY, 26TH MARCH 2018 AT 09:00AM AT THE CO-OPERATIVE RETREAT & CONFERENCE CENTRE, KAREN.

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 gives me great pleasure to join you this morning on the occasion of the opening of the 2nd Annual Conference for The Co-operative University of Kenya, 26th – 27th March, 2018. I take this opportunity to thank the Co-operative University of Kenya for organizing this conference at this prime time of the year.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This year’s conference under the theme “Innovations for Sustainable Co-operative Development” is in line with the International and National’s development plans to revive and make the Co-operative sector profitable and sustainable for livelihoods. Therefore this conference serves as a forum for interdisciplinary interactions among academia, researchers, Policy makers, Government and business leaders to exchange ideas with a view to finding suitable solutions to some of the challenges facing the not only the co-operative sector but also the society, private and public organizations.

Ladies and Gentlemen.
Looking into the highlights of the Big-Four Agenda of the Kenyan government strategic delivery in the next five years, the president of the republic of Kenya H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is keen on Food Security, Affordable Housing, Manufacturing, and Universal Healthcare for accelerated social-economic transformation, increased job creation and improved job quality of life for all Kenyans. This agenda is akin to the objectives of the State Department of Co-operatives, including building of affordable housing, food security sustained through improved value-addition on products and increased job creation through promotion of youth and women Co-operatives in the rural setups.
Fellow co-operators and Academia,
As you are aware, the need for increase in capacity and equal opportunity in Higher Education in Kenya today cannot be overemphasized. Access, equity, quality and relevance are fundamental characteristics that define and drive education, training and research systems worldwide. Over the years, the Kenyan Government, through the relevant Ministries, including my Department, has vigorously expanded access to quality Co-operative Education, training and research, which also offers equal opportunity to all, thereby ensuring equity and entrepreneurship.

In the same spirit, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Recently, State department of Co-operatives, enacted a national Co-operative Policy (2017) which clearly provides a clear roadmap for education, training and research in the sector. The policy recognizes research, collaborations and partnership as key vehicle to a collective success for sustainable development.
These efforts are geared towards the realization of the government’s Big-Four Agenda and Kenya’s Vision 2030, which aims at transforming the country into a newly industrializing, middle-income country providing a high quality life to all its citizens.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Kenya’s Strategy is implemented through the execution of a series of projects and policy documents drawing from the National Vision, in some of which the Co-operative movement is expected to play a key role, particularly for the low and middle income households.
The State Department for Cooperatives, integrated in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Co-operatives of the current Government of Kenya, is keen to giving singular focus to the following activities:
⦁ Constantly review legal and regulatory framework to entrench good corporate governance and best Cooperative business management practices.
⦁ Harmonize and improve the quality of cooperative education and training programmes.
⦁ Develop an efficient marketing system through product improvements, value-addition and market research.
⦁ Restructure and strengthen the management of cooperative institutions and organizations.
⦁ Promote new cooperative ventures in disadvantaged areas.
⦁ Incorporate ICT into the sector’s operations among other policy interventions.
In this regard, therefore, our Universities and particularly the Co-operative University of Kenya must constantly seek to provide a globally competitive quality Cooperative education, training and research for sustainable development. The overall goal is for producing relevant entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers to meet the ever-increasing demand in Cooperative development both locally and regionally.
My Department and the co-operative university of Kenya are close associates working under a memorandum of understanding and we endeavour to work closely to strengthen partnerships for partnership in Co-operative sector development and associated development agenda.

Ladies and Gentlemen.
To the up-coming researchers and innovators, Kenya has space for job creators, entrepreneurs and innovators, which I know you are well equipped to the task ahead.

Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to have the pleasure to declare this 2nd Annual Conference of the co-operative university of Kenya officially opened.