Kenya has opened its first open university after the previous administration dropped the plan due to financial constraints.
President William Ruto on Thursday, August 3, awarded a charter to the Open University in Kenya (OUK) at Konza Technology City, Machakos County.
Ruto also appointed Equity Group CEO and philanthropist James Mwangi as the chancellor.
Here’s what you need to know about the OUK:
What is an Open University?
An open university is a higher-learning institution that offers courses to people who might not get the time to attend physical classes.
Open universities offer courses through distance learning that can be accessed by students from all corners of the globe.
How Was It Formed?
The OUK was operationalised following the passing of the Draft Charter for the Establishment of the Open University of Kenya by Parliament.
OUK was also part of the recommendations that were made by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform. The committee was led by Prof Raphael Munavu.
Its formation is based on the Universities Act, of 2012 which provides for the setting up of a specialised university to offer programmes on e-learning platforms.
There were earlier attempts to form the institution with some of the plans dating back to 2010 when Mwai Kibaki was president. The plans fell short due to a lack of funds.
Structure of the University
Similar to other universities, the institution will be managed by a Vice-Chancellor who will be charged with the day-to-day running of the institution.
The VC will also have Deputy Vice-Chancellors, a Senate, a Council and student bodies.
"The funds of the University shall comprise such sums as may be granted to the University by the exchequer and such monies or assets as may accrue to or vest in the University in the course of performance of its functions under this Charter and the Statutes," the draft regulations reads.
Courses at OUK
The university has four schools: Science and Technology, Education, Economics and Business and Agriculture.
OUK has listed to offer seven courses with the majority being degree programmes and postgraduate courses.
The degree programmes include a Bachelor of Data Science, Bachelor of Economics and Statistics, Bachelor of Science in Business and Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, and Bachelor of Technology Education.
Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Accountability and Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Design and Technology are also offered.
In terms of fees - the institution is yet to detail the course fees and additional charges. However, the fee is expected to be lower than other universities.
