Prof. Joseph Bosire Assumes Role of Vice-Chancellor at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University (JOOUST)
Prof. Joseph Bosire is the new acting vice chancellor at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University (JOOUST).
Prof. Bosire succeeds prof. Stephen Agong, who has served as the university’s vice chancellor since the institution’s charter was granted in 2013.
At a special senate meeting presided over by the chairman of the university council, Professor Shem Wandiga, the outgoing VC transferred the instruments of governance to Prof. Bosire, including the mace, seal, and essential documents.
Prof. Bosire, who was among the candidates interviewed by the public service commission earlier this week for the position of substantive vice chancellor of the institution, will serve in an acting capacity until a new vice chancellor is appointed.
Bosire, who has served in numerous top managerial positions at JOOUST for over ten years, including his most recent position as Deputy Vice chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, continues to hold out hope that he will be appointed to the position of full VC at the institution.
Prof. Bosire thanked the government and the JOOUST university council for granting him the opportunity to serve as acting vice chancellor and entrusting him with the institution’s leadership.
The university president praised his predecessor, Professor Agong, for his shrewd leadership, humility, and ability to provide leadership even during challenging times, deeming it admirable and worthy of imitation.
The acting vice chancellor stated that he is prepared to assume the mantle that has been dubbed the “hot seat” and that he intends to resolve challenges at the university through teamwork, communication, and the instillation of a positive mindset in both faculty and students.
Prof. Bosire stated that he is eager to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor in ensuring that the university continues to develop, adding that the goal is to ensure that the student population, which is currently around 10,000, reaches 20,000 as outlined in the university’s strategic plan.
Bosire expressed his satisfaction with the progress made by the university under the leadership of Prof Agong, the founding Vice Chancellor.
He reported significant growth in academic collaborations and professional partnerships, along with an expansion in both student enrollment and infrastructure.
Bosire emphasized the university’s intention to deliberately increase the student population to reach the targeted goal of twenty thousand students.
He assured the university community that he will work with all staff members to ensure that they deliver on the university’s mission to become a beacon of excellence.
The outgoing vice chancellor, who will be taking a one-year sabbatical, is anticipated to return to the university, where he will serve as a professor and be proposed to lead the newly established blue economy research hub.
After a decade at the helm, Agong requested the incoming VC to maintain the university’s high academic and research standards, which have earned it regional and international recognition.
As a former Deputy Vice Chancellor at both Jomo Kenyatta and Maseno universities, he recalled how he founded the institution from inception.
“When I was sent here to start the university back in 2009 from Maseno university there were virtually nothing, I was the first staff member with a student population of about 200, now there are over 500 employees here and the student population has surpassed ten thousand resulting to economic transformation of this region” he said
Agong requested that all employees assist the incoming acting VC in achieving the university’s mission.
Prof. Wandiga, who witnessed the ceremony, described the event as a sign of the university’s development.
He was confident that the Interim Vice-Chancellor was up to the challenge and would steer the institution in the correct direction.
Prof. Wandinga lauded the outgoing VC for devoting his life to the expansion of the university, from its humble beginnings to its emergence as a financial powerhouse by attracting numerous research grants.
In contrast, he encouraged the senate to develop courses that provide practical solutions to societal problems and have the potential to yield greater returns for the students.
Prof. Joseph Bosire Assumes Role of Vice-Chancellor at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University (JOOUST)