In remaining relevant to empowering communities, the Co-operative University of Kenya’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kamau Ngamau, on Wednesday, 15th March 2023, visited Mr. Kello Harsama, the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, State Department of Crop Development, at Kilimo House. The objective of the meeting was to engage and deliberate on the KRTCDP Project. This follows a successful meeting with officials from the Ministry of Co-operatives and MSMEs Development on 8th March 2023. The Agriculture Secretary, Mr. Josephat Mahunyu, and The Co-operative University of Kenya Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kamau Ngamau, at Kilimo House on 15th March 2023. The twin meetings were meant to bring on board the two line Ministries that will oversee the project and agree on a suitable implementation zone. The KRTCDP project, sponsored by the African Development Bank (AfDB), will place farmers in co-operatives on a digital platform that links them to suppliers of inputs, service providers, extension services, marketers, and other value chain players. The project’s successful implementation will be incredibly beneficial to farmer co-operatives since it will prevent exploitation occasioned by information asymmetry and enable them to reap higher fortunes from their produce.         The Vice Chancellor was accompanied by Prof. Kennedy Waweru, Dr. Lydia Mutua, and Dr. Lucy Kiganane. Prof. Ngamau acknowledged the Ministry’s efforts towards making Kenya a food-secure nation and pledged the University’s support towards assisting the government in achieving its plans as itemised in the Agriculture Sector Growth and Transformation Strategy (ASGTS) 2019-2029. From left: Prof. Kennedy Waweru, Dr. Lucy Kiganane, Mr. Josephat Mahunyu, Prof. Kamau Ngamau (Vice Chancellor), Dr. Lydia Mutua, and Mr. Peter Owoko during the 15th March 2023 Meeting at Kilimo House.   On his part, the PS thanked the University for its proactive initiatives and activities geared towards solving the challenges affecting the country. He pointed out that the project would go a long way towards making the country food secure, besides creating market channels and raising farmer incomes. Mr. Josephat Muhunyu, the Agricultural Secretary, echoed his sentiments.

The Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) is an outstanding institution of higher learning due to its observance of integrity in democratic leadership. This upholds and anchors the university’s mission of producing competent human capital through quality education, training, research & innovation, and empowering communities through outreach for socio-economic transformation. In CUK, democracy applies to the staff and students who have a significant role in ensuring a streamlined flow of activities through the Student Governing Council (SGC) and an empowered Co-operative University of Kenya Student Union (CUKSU). CUK students line up to vote during the delegate election process on Wednesday, 8th March 2023.   Over the past four weeks, the University’s atmosphere and surroundings have been adorned with slogans of great leaders as student contestants for diverse positions in the Congress and SGC engaged in an intellectual exchange of ideologies – “The battle of ideas.” The heightened debates on social media and road show campaigns of the two major parties, The Comrades Alliance (TCA) under the captainship of the incumbent CUK President, Mr Collins Brandon, and The Co-operative Revival Alliance (CRA).   The gala and scuffle for supremacy between these two parties culminated on Wednesday, 8th March 2023 Delegate and SGC Elections, where they flexed their political muscles at virtually equal power dividing the delegate’s votes into symmetrical halves. The presidential position attracting all students’ attention was hotly contested between Timothy Saruni of TCA and Amos Kamotho of CRA, each garnering 12 votes out of the 24 delegates. Student casting her ballot on Wednesday 8th during delegate election in the lecture theatre Room A polling station.   The second most senior position in the Co-operative University Student Union (CUKSU), Secretary General, underwent a similar situation, with both competitors securing equal votes. These unique scenarios of vote-tie lessened the tension. These unfamiliar situations made the Chairperson of the CUKSU Electoral Commission, Jeremiah Mugo, announce the winners of the Wednesday 8th elections and declare to announce the re-run election dates within seven calendar days as guided by Chapter five article 28 of the CUKSU Constitution.   The winners of the contested posts were Victor Onyango Juma for Finance Secretary, Francis Musyoka Daniel for Social Welfare and Co-curricular Activities, Caroline Wanjiru Kibuchi for Gender and Special Needs Secretary, and Abdullahi A. Salat for Campus Representative. The elected Congress Members and the SGC reflected the face of Kenya and demonstrated the high-held regard for diversity within the institution. Mr. Jeremiah Mugo, the CUKSU Electoral Commission Chairperson, at Nordic Hall announcing the winners of the SGC elections held on Wednesday, 8th March 2023.   The University maintained its non-partisan position in the students’ elections by ensuring that all Electoral Officials abide by the principles of impartiality. The CUKSU Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jeremiah Mugo, appreciated the efforts and support of the ever-devoted Dean of Students, Dr Lucinda Mugaa. The student elections ran seamlessly; peace, serenity, and jubilation prevailed since the winners embraced their counterparts who lost. “CUK takes pride in the students who have taken the mantle and suited the formation to become the society’s change-makers, taking the responsibility to lead their peers,” expressed (Mrs.) Dr Lucinda.

On Wednesday, 8th March 2023, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kamau Ngamau, met with the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MEMEs) Development, Hon. Simon K. Chelugui, EGH. The meeting was also attended by the PS State Department of Co-operatives, Mr. Patrick K. Kilemi. The University’s top management officials accompanying the Vice Chancellor were Prof. Isaac Nyamongo, The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (ACDRI), Prof. Kennedy Waweru, and Dr. Lydia Mutua. Prof. Kamau Ngamau and Hon. Simon K. Chelugui during the Wednesday 8th KRTCDP meeting at Mercure Hotel in Nairobi. The meeting held in Mercure Hotel in Nairobi predominantly engaged discussions and deliberations on the strategic place of the Co-operative University of Kenya in spearheading the development of farmer co-operatives through Kenya Rural Transformation Centres Digital Platform (KRTDCP) through collaboration with the Ministry mentioned above. This project aims to increase productivity, boost profitability, and uphold sustainability within agricultural cooperatives, integrating small-holder farmers with other stakeholders in the farm input supplies, food production, and agriculture value chain. Representatives of the University Management with CS, Hon. Chelugui, and the PS, Mr. Patrick Kilemi, pose for a group photo during Wednesday’s 8th meeting at Mercure Hotel – Nairobi. PS Kilemi expressed his satisfaction and enthusiasm for the initiative taken by the Co-operative University of Kenya in addressing the gaps within our society and making efforts to turn the situation of our country from a hunger-stricken nation into a food-secure country. He pledged the readiness of the State Department for Co-operatives to support the KRTDCP project since it ensures food security and empowers many Kenyans living below the poverty line through co-operative societies.   Cabinet Secretary Hon. Simon Chelugui signs the Visitor’s book before the commencement of the Wednesday 8th Meeting at Mercure Hotel – Upper Hill, Nairobi. Also, Hon. Chelugui emphasised the intention of his Ministry to work very closely with the CUK in executing primary development goals through mutual engagements. The CS said, “I have gratitude to the leadership of The Co-operative University of Kenya for setting foot in the forefront in leading the reformation and transformation of the Co-operative Movements in this country.” The Vice-Chancellor ascertained that through the endowment of knowledge, skills, and expertise, the University would ensure that farmer co-operatives benefit from the institution’s professionalism throughout the establishment, management enlightenment, and training. “With the support from your Ministry, Hon. Simon K. Chelugui, our university is prepared to gather the arsenal of vastly experienced academicians, including professors and doctors, in attaining this big vision of digitalising the agricultural production and marketing processes,” Prof. Ngamau said.

It is a new month, February is Wrapped, March is here, New beginning but hey, we can’t forget how eventful the month of love was.    February 14th is widely recognized as Valentine’s Day, a day that celebrates love and affection between intimate companions, friends, and family members. This year’s Valentine’s Day was one of a kind since The Co-operative University of Kenya management organized a special breakfast for its staff. The breakfast meeting took place at the CRCC Hall, which was decorated with lots of red roses and well-arranged tables.  The menu included sausages, samosas, well-cooked eggs, fruit salad, as well as a variety of beverages. The breakfast was a way for the university to show its appreciation for the hard work and dedication of its staff. It was also an opportunity for the university community to come together and celebrate Valentine’s Day along with having a very inciteful talk on Mental Health. The mental health talk was facilitated by CUK’s licensed counsellor, who discussed the importance of self-care and stress management.     Many staff members enjoyed the breakfast, taking the opportunity to chat and catch up with their colleagues. The university management expressed their satisfaction with the event, stating that it was a great way to bring people together and promote a sense of unity within the university community. Overall, the Valentine’s Day breakfast was a success, and many are looking forward to similar events in the future.        Cheers to spreading Love & Kindness!

The Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) acknowledges the transformational impact of quality education in training, research, and consultancy for sustainable development. In partnership with the County Government of Kakamega, the spirit and the letter of CUK mission dominated the incredible achievement with a strong belief in the power of our motto, “Quality co-operative training,” the recently concluded Career Expo that ran from 10th to 12th February 2023 was a resounding success. Hundreds of young people, especially the current form four leavers and high school students from across the County were in attendance. The CUK staff and students pose for a photo at CUK’s stand The keynote speaker and the guest of honour during the event was The CUK’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance, Planning and Administration), Prof. Esther N. Gicheru, who gave a rousing speech on the Career Expo’s theme, “Mastering your future.” The varsity’s DVC spoke to the youth about the importance of education, hard work, and dedication in achieving career success in their prospective future. She underscored the need for young people to focus on academic excellence, develop requisite market-seasoned skills, uncompromised moral standing, and cultivate strong work ethics. The DVC.Prof.Esther Gicheru addressing the students Prof. Gicheru shared her journey, highlighting the challenges she faced along the way and the lessons she learned from those turbulent experiences. “I want to emphasise the significance of resilience and perseverance in the face of setbacks, and as youths, you must remain focused on your goals and never despair in pursuing your dreams.” She applauded the bold steps and initiatives by the County government. Moreover, the CUK’s DVC encouraged the youths to take advantage and seize the many opportunities available to them, including internships, mentorship programs, and networking events. The Professor’s speech was a particular highlight, offering inspiring and practical advice on how to master the future and achieve the highest potential success in any career. Additionally, the career expo featured several other speakers and exhibitors, including representatives from local businesses, organisations, and public and private Universities. These stakeholders provided information on career opportunities, job training programs, and other resources available to the young. Remarkably, the event attained a resounding success for the Co-operative University of Kenya since it was top-ranked and awarded the certificate of the best exhibitor among the Public Universities present. CUK staff receiving a certificate for the best exhibitor among the Public Universities present at the Expo Lastly, the Corporate Communication and Marketing Department wishes to appreciate the CUK management for support throughout marketing expeditions and hope for continued support towards enhancing the brand visibility of the institution.

The Co-operative University of Kenya is home to many talented students, and one of them recently made a significant impact on the international stage. Andrew Nderitu Muriithi, a fourth-year student at The Cooperative University of Kenya pursuing a bachelor’s degree of science in Information Technology and his teammates impressed the judges with their innovative and creative solution for the health industry by working on an application that can be used to predict early complications of diabetes while providing self-care routines and diet management. The hackathon, which was focused on using technology to solve real-world problems, brought together close to 603 students from 22 countries across Africa inclusive of India to compete and showcase their skills. Our Co-operative University of Kenya student stood out from the crowd with his unique approach to the health industry and ability to think outside the box. The student’s hard work and dedication paid off, as he and his team were declared the hackathon winners, taking home gold medals, certificates and a good amount of money. CUK Student,Andrew Nderitu (centre) pose for a photo with his team after receiving their award Andrew hopes to create a positive impact on society by building more solutions and uplifting others in the technological field. He also plans to utilise the newly formed friendships and connections to advance in his career and also help his peers grow their skills. The Co-operative University of Kenya is proud to have produced such a talented individual and we look forward to seeing more of our students excel in the future. The win at the hackathon competition in India is a testament to the quality of education offered at the Co-operative University of Kenya and the potential of our students to make a real difference in the world.

Over the years, The Cooperative University of Kenya’s Department of Tourism and Hospitality has developed a favourable learning environment for qualified tourism and hospitality professionals. Tourism and Hospitality students have undergone a rigorous curriculum designed to give them the most professional skills possible through industrial exposure and affiliation to compete in the job market. Tourism and Hospitality students through the department have taken part in a number of successful stakeholder forums and seminars throughout the years across the region. On 29th October, The Cooperative University of Kenya hosted the Interuniversity Sustainable Tourism and Travel Agenda (STTA) stakeholder’s forum, which featured a sustainable tourism seminar across 7 participating universities and 5 governmental and private tourism organizations topic of Tourism and Resilience in Africa’s Protected Areas. In attendance organizations for the forum were; The Cooperative University Tourism & Hospitality – Host Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda STTA – Lead Organization Organizations Global Tourism Resilient and Crisis Management Centre East Africa Kenya Wildlife Service Giraffe Centre Let’s Go Travel Uniglobe Universities Kenyatta University The Technical University of Kenya Muranga University of Technology Machakos University Zetech University Amboseli Institute In this instance, tourism resilience refers to the ability of various systems to handle pressures by preserving the stability of the regional economy’s tourist-related sectors while ensuring the flexibility and diversity required for innovation and continued development. Among the many advantages of tourism, resilience is increased sustainable tourism development through wildlife conservation in protected areas, tax revenue collection, job possibilities, and awareness of the nation’s natural heritage. The theme of Tourism Resilience in Protected Areas led to reviewing the positive impact of having professional knowledge in promoting conservation in destinations and understanding the role of institutions, universities, and companies in creating conservation awareness. Moreover, the stakeholders were able to see the need to develop new mechanisms to mitigate climate change effects and promote sustainable tourism in protected areas, particularly on climate change effects and how to find solutions for tourism resilience. Therefore, if we want to save the tourism industry, sustainability is a practice that must be implemented.

The 7th Graduation Ceremony of The Co-operative University of Kenya was graced by several stakeholders from the government, with Hon. Simon K. Chelugui, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Cooperative and MSMEs Development, as the Chief Guest. The success of our 3019 (with 1937 female and 1082 male graduates) graduating cohort of December 2022 was witnessed with jubilation by the University fraternity, parents, guardians, and benefactors. It was among the few physical graduation ceremonies held in higher learning institutions after COVID-19 ravaged our globe, continent, and mother country, Kenya. CS Hon. Simon K. Chelugui During the Reception at The Co-operative University of Kenya The graduation ceremony theme, “Leveraging on Co-operative Advantage to Drive Bottom-Up Economic Growth,” was strategic in articulating the University’s key mandate and furthering the government’s agenda through the Bottom-Up model of achieving the projected economic development. The chief guest, Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Simon K. Chelugui said, “By the end of 2021, there were over 26,000 registered co-operatives with an accumulated membership of over 14 million. With an accumulated total asset base of over KShs 1.5 trillion, the sector had savings of over KShs. 1 trillion. In addition, approximately 30% of Kenya’s annual savings are through co-operatives. Aware of this potential, the government has set up the Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development.” Cabinet Secretary Hon. Simon K. Chelugui (centre) Pose for a Photo with The CUK Management Board and The University Chair of Council, Dr. Jeremy Bundi             The economic growth in Kenya, Africa, and beyond depends on the requisite skills, knowledge, and expertise acquired through education offered in our learning institutions. “As the titular head of the University, I take great pride in developing new market-driven academic programmes that the university continues to undertake,” Dr. Jeremy Bundi, the Ag. Chancellor of The CUK stated. The University has played a paramount role in harnessing the immense potential of the young people who enrol in academic programmes offered with a clearly defined purpose of producing the much-demanded human capital for our labour market at local, regional, and international job markets. CPA Johnson Njuguna, the Representative of the PS State Department of University Education and Research, Signs the Visitors Book in the Presence of the CUK Council Members and The University Management Board Members. CUK takes diligent initiatives to ensure the relevance of education and training by integrating competency-based programmes into its curriculum. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kamau Ngamau, noted, “The University is also participating in the ongoing conversation around Competency Based Curriculum and is preparing herself to admit the first batch of CBC students into the University in the academic year 2028/2029.” In line with the government’s agenda of ensuring relevance in Kenya’s higher education, the University stays abreast of the developments in the Ministry of Education. Graduates after Conferment of Degrees and Award of Diplomas at The University Graduation Square The University relates very closely with the fact that excellence does not exist in a vacuum but is achieved through diligence and dedication with a ruthless focus on the objective. In this regard, CUK has featured on the global map in academia by producing two students who participated in the UNESCO-India-Africa Hackathon Competition and made it to the finals. Progress can be measured in numerous ways; however, the most definitive way is through meritocracy, whereby achievement speaks for itself. CUK has done this, and its successes defend its credibility to produce competent graduates.

In marking World AIDS Day, the 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility event was held at Cottolengo Children’s Center on 30th November. The CUK management organized the visit in collaboration with the Student Governing Council through the office of the Dean of Students, Dr. Lucinda Mugaa. The institution’s CSR efforts were identified by the dean of Students, who was present at the day’s activity as an endeavour to fulfil the Biblical call to help those in need and as a way of doing what is ethically and morally right. CUK Staff Students before departing for the CSR Activity at Cottolengo Children’s Center on 30th November 2022. The CSR activity was officially convoked by the Dean of Students, who represented the University Management and congratulated the staff and student fraternity for their contribution to the day’s success. “The Co-operative University of Kenya recognizes with benevolence the need for giving back to society through supporting the needy and vulnerable. With regard to this and utmost observance of human dignity, the University engages in corporate social responsibility with the aim of empowering the community sustainably,” Dr. Lucinda stated. The Dean of Students, Dr. Lucinda Mugaa (right), Sr. Ann (Center), and Madam Veronica Mbithe (left), during the dean’s remarks at the CSR Event. The students, led by the SGC President Collins Brandon and Zamzam Bonaya, the Deputy President SGC, participated in cleaning exercises that included laundry, mopping the floors, and tidying the compound of the Center. This was a true gesture of generous concern for one another beyond any possible boundary. Through Sr. Ann, the leadership of Cottolengo Children’s Center appreciated the CUK fraternity’s gesture of love for society and one another. Sr. Ann, CUK Students, and Staff pose for a photo after the cleaning exercise.