Skip to main content

Facts about the National Open University of Kenya

 National Open University of Kenya set to operationalize as from September 2023 will be a game changer in the history of Kenya's higher education.

President William Ruto in his Madaraka Day speech stated that the open university was to receive a charter at the course of June 2023.

The President reiterated his desire to make university education "more affordable, more accessible and attainable.

The Open University of Kenya is meant to provide distance learning. Potential students will be able to apply for academic progams from the comfort of their locality. 

8 Programs offered by National Open University of Kenya

Courses to be offered are of strategic importance to the country. The virtual university will offer both degrees and diplomas in:

  • Data Science

  • Cyber Security and Digital forensics

  • Technology Education

  • Business and Entrepreneurship

  • Statistics 

  • Economics

  • Food Systems 

  • Agricultural technology

Open University of Kenya will also offer diploma in Leadership Management.

Aims of the National Open University of Kenya

  • The primary goal of the virtual university is the address the issue of the increased cost of attaining varsity education in Kenya.

  • The use of modern technology to ease the pressure exerted on physical facilities in universities.

  • To eliminate the rigidity on the need to attend classes at fixed places within a specified timeframe.

Plans of establishing the Virtual University

President Uhuru Kenyatta's cabinet under the auspices of the then education cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i ratified a proposal to establish a National Open University in August 2016.

Since 2016, the virtual university is still a mirage.

October 2022, President William Ruto, who succeeded Uhuru, appointed Ezra Maritim to oversee plans to establish a virtual campus.

On his first Madaraka Day address in June 2021, he promised Kenyans that Open University of Kenya would receive a charter at the course of that month.

How Kenya has expanded University admissions

The government of Kenya, during Uhuru Kenyatta's era, lowered University entry grade from B to C+. Previously C+ students were admitted as self-sponsored and was a preserve of the esoteric few who could afford the collosal fees demanded for admission on parallel basis.

Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS) allowed private universities to admit government sponsored students when the grade was drastically lowered to accomodate students, who would otherwise have been admitted on module II basis.

Popular Universities offering Online Programs

Online Distance E-learning services (ODEL) have been adopted by most universities in Kenya. 

However, only two universities have a variety of courses that are anchored on virtual system.

The two universities are:

  1. Kenyatta University: Bachelor of Security Management, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Education (Arts), Bachelor of Education (Science) and Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Development).

  2. Daystar University: BA(Biblical and Religious Studies), BA(Communication), BA(Community Development), BA(English), BA (Journalism), BA(Peace and Conflict Resolution), BA(Psychology) and Bachelor of Business Information Technology.








Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Human Brain will replace Smartphones in communication

Elon Musk envisiges a future where smartphones are obsolete and communication happens directly through the brain.  According to Musk, Neuralink the brain-computer interface that his company is developing, could eventually replace phones entirely. Imagine navigating the internet, sending and receiving text messages, or even making calls, all with just your thoughts. This sounds like fictional science. However, Musk believes the integration of humans and artificial intelligence is a necessary mileage for human evolution.  Neuralink’s potential extends far beyond convenience; it could disrupt the field of medicine, communication and the way we interact with technology forever. The future Musk envisions is not just coming, it's already in the pipeline. NEURALINK will make Smartphones completely obsolete. Neuralink is a company that was found by billionaire Elon Musk and develops brain-computer interface technology. Its goal is to connect the human brain to computers so as t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why Matiang'i comeback threatens Ruto's re-election bid

  Former Interior cabinet secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i is a great rival to President William Ruto in his 2027 re-election contest. Matiang'i is set to give Ruto a run for his money, owing to his track record as a cabinet secretary in the previous regime.  Former President Uhuru Kenyatta trusted Matiang'i more than any other cabinet secretary due to his workaholic nature and might be forced to finance his presidential quest.  The former Interior CS is reportedly eyeing the presidential seat on a Jubilee ticket, as alluded by the party's secretary general Jeremiah Kioni. Ruto's dalliance with the doyen of opposition politics and ODM party leader Raila Odinga had complicated the opposition's quest to unseat the sitting Head of State. Matiang'i comeback seals the vaccum left by Raila's departure. Why Ruto might lose Kenya's presidential seat in 2027 Ahead of 2022 general elections in Kenya , President William Ruto promised Kenyans heaven on Earth onl...
Post a Comment
Read more

Uproar after armed goons infiltrate women press briefing at KHRC

Armed militia stormed KHRC, causing lots of chaos, confusion and mayhem. Goons disrupted Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHCR) press conference in Nairobi on Sunday, and accused the organizers for planning Saba Saba protests . Mothers had convened at the KHRC offices to address issues related to seeking Justice for victims of police brutality. The attack prompted the conveners to scamper for safety. According to Standard Media, one journalist attached to them lost a phone which was snatched from him by one of the goons. Former Chief Justice David Maraga condemned the Sunday attack.  Maraga voiced his criticism on his social media account and advised the president that such acts might lead to anarchy. “I vehemently condemn the violence against mothers gathered at KHRC to speak up against the use of violence at tomorrow’s Saba Saba commemoration,” Maraga wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter).  He added that President Ruto should cease using armed militias against Kenya...
Post a Comment
Read more