The 3rd Graduation Ceremony of CUCK saw a record of 401 students graduate with various Diplomas and Certificates on Friday 5th December 2014. The CEO of National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovations Dr. Moses K. Rugut presided over the graduation ceremony representing the Cabinet Secretary for Education Science and Technology Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi. Dr. Moses ailed the varsity’s efforts in the establishment of e-learning as a fast for the new era. He noted that the University’s role in championing the vibrant Co-operative movement in Kenya is an epic of the moment that will turn around the Kenyan economy towards attainment of the vision 20130 by training the professional to manage the sector.
On his part the JKUAT chancellor Prof. Geoffrey noted that The Co-operative University College of Kenya is mature and ready to attain a charter any time. He noted that over the last one year since the 2013 graduation ceremony, the university had grown in leaps and bounds.
The Council chairman Dr. Gladys Mwiti noted that the university college is determined to continue with its mandate to train the much needed human resource needed in the vibrant co-operative movement, “It is in recognition of these facts that higher ethical and professional management standards are demanded for the Co-operative sector to perform better and increase its share of socio-economic contribution. This calls for promotion of an academic centre of excellence for the professional development of Human resources for the Co-operative movement both locally and internationally. The Co-operative University College of Kenya was established with that vision in mind. Consequently, my Council shall spare no effort to ensure that this University College realizes its full mandate and moves to the next state of being a fully-fledged Co-operative University of Kenya.”
The Principal of The Co-operative University College of Kenya Prof. Douglas Shitanda noted that As a Constituent University College, the University College had witnessed a steady increase in student population. From a population of 780 students in 2011/2012 academic year, the student population now stands at 2,561, which represents above 320% increase in enrollment.
As the University College is looking forward to transit to a fully-fledged University, the population of students in the University is expected to increase tremendously. Increase in students’ enrolment has created need to expand and modernize facilities in the University; towards this end, the University College management has undertaken several immediate measures:
- Putting up modern lecture theatres which will be able provide learning facilities for about 2000 students at a go. The block is expected to be completed at the end of this financial year.
- Constructed high quality prefabs to provide learning space for about 400 students to meet current need for space.
- renovated and converted 8 staff houses into hostels to provide accommodation for increased number of students and 6 houses into offices to cater for the increased number of staff
Apart from the projects being implemented now, the University College has identified flagship projects to be carried in the next five years:
The University College has commenced plans to construct of an ultra-modern Learning and Research Resource centre with sitting capacity of 6,000 persons, estimated to cost Kshs 1.2 billion. The university college is also set for a mega ICT project; this project is aimed at a paperless system and enhancement of ICT application in the college- at Kshs 1.3 billion.
Guests hailed The Co-operative University College of Kenya’s remarkable steps towards development of new programmes, hiring of senior administrative and academic staff, infrastructural expansion, online distance learning, all under the new dispensation. It is worth noting that despite financial constraints and inadequate physical facilities, the University College endeavors to deliver on its mandate without compromising academic standards.