NOW JKUAT TAKES OVER KITI

By Our Team

The Jomo Kenyatta University of Agricultre and Technology has signed a Memorundum of Understanding with the Nakuru based Kenya Industrial Traioning Institute in which analysts depict as a strategy of consolidating the local middle level training institute.The Nakuru Post can now reveal.

During the recent occasion at the college, the JKUAT Vice-chanchelor Prof.Mebboh Imbuga in her speech repeatedly dwelt on denial that the higher learning institution was not intending to take over KITI but rather aimed at helping develop it, but in between contradicted her self when she hinted out that JKUAT would eventually work towards seeing KITI elevated to a higher learning centre in the near future.

By giving example to other middle level colleges in the country that are affiliated to University,the Vice-Chancelor said that the colleges were on the verge of attaining University statutes. These she said include;The Mombasa Polytechnic, Kimathi Institute, Multi-Media College, and Meru Institute.

Prof.Imbuga affirmed that the University was committed towards realizing the Vision 2030 by working with the Ministry of Industrialization. According to the MOU that was witnessed by the Parmanent Secretary Eng.Karanja Kibicho the two institutions will enjoy exchange of resources in teaching, research, human resource and technology transfer. “Both students and staff of the institutions will benefit from exchange programmes and incentives like field attachments and training” she said

The PS on his part said that his ministry would be committed towards ensuring the success of the M.O.U.He announced that the ministry had already allocated sh.68million to expand teaching facilities and the completion of stalled projects at the institution.This MOU will boost research, training, marketing, consultancy and technology transfer” He said.

The occasion was also witnessed by the college Board Of Governors led by its chairman Mr.Charles Lumanda,the Principal Mr.Francis Maloti ,JKUAT deputy vice-chanchelor Research and Extension Prof.Esther Kahanji and deputy vice-chancelor Academic Affairs Prof.Romenus Odhiambo.

KITI-Nakuru branch was established in 1965 with aid and collaboration from the Japanese government to offer specialized training in industrial technology.

The MOU however comes in the wake of an outcry by pundits in the country over the increased manner in which higher learning institutions in the country were absorbing middle level colleges. According to the pundits this will create a vacuum in middle level training as form four levers who fail to qualify for University training will be stranded.