Govt to Establishing National Open University To Enhance Access to Higher Education
The government of Kenya is taking steps to establish the National Open University of Kenya with the aim of increasing access to higher education for all students.
The move is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Education to address the high cost of university education in the country.
According to Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, the National Open University of Kenya will make university education more affordable, accessible, and attainable to students, regardless of their location or income level.
During the 10th Graduation Ceremony of Pwani University, Machogu emphasized that the ultimate goal of the Ministry is to ensure an accessible, affordable, and functional education system that is globally competitive and responsive to the demands of national and international development.
He stressed that the availability of skilled and knowledgeable manpower is vital in solving various needs and challenges of modern society, such as globalization, technological advancement, climate change, poverty, cyber security, and the burden of diseases.
Machogu highlighted the crucial role of universities in training, research, and innovation, which is of direct relevance to the national and regional development agenda.
He called on universities to explore innovative ways of addressing the financial challenges facing them and to develop and strengthen unique niches that contribute to the national and global development agenda in order to attract local and international students for training and research.
The Education Cabinet Secretary also urged universities to boost their online presence and invest in world-class facilities with marketable and relevant programs that can attract students from all corners of the world.
He congratulated the graduates and challenged them to be ready for a labor market that requires critical thinkers with innovative ways of providing practical solutions to the problems facing society.
In conclusion, the establishment of the National Open University of Kenya is a significant step towards increasing access to higher education for all students, and it is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Education to make university education more affordable, accessible, and relevant to the national and global development agenda.
Universities are urged to explore innovative ways of addressing their financial challenges, develop unique niches, and invest in world-class facilities with marketable and relevant programs to attract students from all corners of the world.
Govt to Establishing National Open University To Enhance Access to Higher Education