Egerton may lose World Bank funding Due to closures – Nabukwesi.
University Education and Research Principal Secretary Simon Nabukwesi has warned that frequent closures endanger Egerton University’s future World Bank funding.
The World Bank awarded Sh600 million in research funding to Egerton’s Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management (Cesaam) in 2017.
Kenyatta University, according to Mr Nabukwesi, missed out on lucrative World Bank funding to build a hostel due to student and non-teaching staff strikes.
He demanded that the financially troubled Njoro campus reopen immediately so that more than 18,000 students could continue their studies.
The cash-strapped university was forced to close on November 26 due to a strike by lecturers. The dons are demanding that the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) be fully implemented, as ordered by a court on January 15, last year.
“Egerton University risks losing the World Bank’s confidence, (and) other lenders may withdraw donor funding running into billions of shillings due to frequent closures,” he said.
He urged university professors to understand the challenges that the higher education sector faces. He revealed that the massive funding gaps in public universities are not the result of individual institutions.
According to data from the Universities Fund, which directs the allocation of state funds to public universities, the gap has reached Sh27 billion in the current fiscal year, a 107.7% increase from Sh13 billion two years ago.
“Correcting the mistakes of funding gaps is a challenge that has been there for a long time. If Uasu Egerton chapter officials can be patient, we will provide a solution and (the) university will look good,” he added.
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He stated that the Ministry of Education is working to close funding gaps in public universities.
He warned people not to harass university administrators.
Vice-Chancellor Isaac Ongubo Kibwage charged the National Assembly with failing to prioritize national issues, particularly higher education.
Egerton may lose World Bank funding Due to closures – Nabukwesi
