Driving Change: Garissa University leads efforts to transform varsity education

A Leaders’ Forum, convened by Garissa University, brought together the MPs and Principal Secretaries from North Eastern to explore the strategies for promoting, enhancing and expanding university education in the North Eastern region.

The meeting discussed ways in which the leadership of the region and the university could collaborate to expand university education to Wajir and Mandera counties through the development of facilities, infrastructure and resources.

The forum emphasized aligning academic offerings with the distinct requirements of the North Eastern region and suggested creating customized academic programs.

"Key areas for program development were identified, including Health Sciences, Agriculture, Law, Engineering, and others, reflecting a commitment to address the specific demands and opportunities of the region," stated the University.

In the aftermath of the summit, the university has been assigned the responsibility of formulating a Master Plan to outline the strategic framework for the future expansion and advancement of Garissa University.

The strategic document will be instrumental in ensuring that infrastructure and resources align seamlessly with the institution's vision for academic excellence.

Garissa University Council and Management expressed gratitude for the unwavering commitment demonstrated by the leaders.

The leadership from NEP pledged to support resource mobilization efforts from the County and National Governments, as well as local and global institutions.

Fifteen elected representatives, Principal Secretaries and senior national government officials from the region who attended the meeting acknowledged the financial challenges faced by some students.

They stressed the urgency of providing scholarships and bursary support.

“A collective pledge was made to assist struggling students from respective constituencies to enrol at Garissa University,” said GAU.

The only public university in the vast expansive region said their commitment reaffirms a shared dedication of making quality education accessible to all deserving individuals.

“The aim is to secure the necessary resources to advance the development and expansion of higher education in the North Eastern region.”

A sub-committee comprising not more than six members from the Northern Eastern Kenya Parliamentary Group would be constituted to spearhead this process.

Mohamed Dekow Barrow, the MP for Garissa Township, said the meeting between NEP legislators and the Garissa University council was aimed at enhancing our region's sole university.

“The discussions primarily focused on advancing its infrastructure and bolstering resources to facilitate larger-scale operations,” he said.

The forum, hosted at a Nairobi Hotel on Wednesday was attended by key legislators and principal secretaries, alongside representatives from Garissa University including Dr. Margaret Mumbi Gikuhi and Prof. Ahmed Osman Warfa.

The Garissa University Council and Management in a statement sent to newsrooms thanked the leadership's commitment to the institution.

GAU is planning to engage with Governors and other relevant stakeholders to further support the university's vision.

“Together, we aim to foster collaborative efforts that will propel the institution towards greater heights of excellence and community service,” said the establishment.

The office of the Auditor-Generals in a report released in 2022 said the university was facing constraints due to limited physical infrastructure and insufficient academic staffing levels to adequately train students in various fields.

“However, there is optimism about growth potential if adequate funding is provided through government support and donor contributions,” noted the auditor-general.

Prof Ahmed Osman Warfa, Vice Chancellor of Garissa University and Secretary to the Council, called on the Government of Kenya to increase funding to facilitate the establishment of essential infrastructure, especially considering the university is in its initial stages and requires substantial resources to commence operations.

He said the institution is also seeking alternative revenue sources to reduce dependence on government funding and student fees.

Farah Maalim, Dadaab MP, speaks at the Leaders' Forum hosted by Garissa University. The gathering included MPs, Principal Secretaries from North Eastern, and the university's Council and Management focusing on improving education in the region. (Yunis Dekow)

Warfa said the school secured support from the Swiss Embassy in Kenya for projects in the Institute of Peace and Security Studies, aiming to enhance the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

A cutting-edge Geospatial Innovation Center was established at the university last year in collaboration with Mercy Corps.

It serves as a central hub for analyzing spatial data, creating dynamic visualizations, and providing insights into social, economic, and environmental patterns.

The university was founded to address the significant educational disparity in the area and to foster higher education, research, and socio-economic progress, particularly in Northern Kenya and beyond.

Currently, 2,313 students are enrolled for postgraduate, undergraduate, diploma and certificate courses.

Its charter was awarded on October 23, 2017, by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

It was first established as a constituent college of Moi University on August 12, 2011. It was referred to as the Garissa University College before it became a fully-fledged public university.

Garissa University's primary activities encompass teaching, research, and community outreach. Its mission is focused on cultivating talent through research, innovation, consultancy, community engagement, entrepreneurship, and the dissemination of knowledge and skills to address societal requirements.