Gachagua Urges Universities to Eliminate Outdated Courses as Egerton Drops 8 Programs
Yesterday, the DP Rigathi Gachagua, hinted at the imminent abolition of several outdated university programs, citing a decline in white-collar employment.
This could result in the loss of hundreds of jobs as universities struggle to keep up with the rapidly changing requirements of the workplace, accelerated by technological advancements, and the education system is frequently viewed as being too slow to adapt.
Mr. Gachagua spoke at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where he was the guest of honor along with Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, as 4,299 students graduated during a ceremony held jointly by JKUAT and the Pan African University Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology, and Innovation.
This was JKUAT’s fortieth commencement ceremony. “We need to further evaluate the impact of the programmes offered by our universities beyond the prestigious courses. For example, it is no secret that white-collar jobs are shrinking every year. With an unemployment rate of over 60 per cent, graduates are not ripe to create jobs for themselves, ” said Mr Gachagua
Studies indicate that over 80% of retirees are actively seeking employment. Fresh graduates can’t compete favorably due to their lack of experience and knowledge.
He reiterated that there is a clear need for higher education institutions to implement learning models that aim to produce innovative graduates who can create jobs and become independent, rather than focusing on numbers.
According to Mr. Gachagua, it is imperative for tertiary institutions to adjust their educational model to align with the requirements of the evolving system and contribute to job creation.
The focus of tertiary education should no longer be solely on the quantity of graduates or the reputation of their degrees, but rather on the holistic influence of their outcomes—namely, the students themselves.
This pressing situation underscores the immediate necessity to reassess current curricula and revamp them to address present-day needs.
Mr. Gachagua’s statement comes less than four months after Egerton University canceled eight courses and sent over 200 employees home in an effort to survive a financial crisis.
Egerton Drops 8 Programs
According to Egerton ViceChancellor Isaac Kibwage, the discontinued programs failed to recruit students.
– Bachelor of Industrial Technology,
– Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering,
– Bachelor of Science in Soil, Environment, and Land Use Management,
– Bachelor of Science in Dairy Technology and Management,
– Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management and Enterprise,
– Bachelor of Science in Integrated Forest Resource Management,
– Bachelor of Science in Dairy Land Resources Management, and
– Bachelor of Science in Applied Aquatic Science.
The Vice President urged postsecondary institutions to nurture local and international partnerships that can expedite research and innovation for economic growth.
Victoria Ngumi, vice-chancellor of JKUAT, stated that the institution is implementing a number of multidisciplinary research projects that will complement government initiatives for food and nutrition sustainability.
Prof. Ngumi referenced the Belgian-funded legume initiative, which promotes climate-friendly, high-yielding, nutrient-rich bean varieties and bean-based products.
Kenya performs poorly in a World Bank classification based on individual match rates between worker education and required education for the job.
Gachagua Urges Universities to Eliminate Outdated Courses as Egerton Drops 8 Programs