Chancellors to have stake in appointment on VCs

Chancellors of public universities are set to have influence on the appointment of vice-chancellors and their deputies.

This is part of proposals made during the second roundtable discussion on policies, regulations and standards for university education.

The meeting was held in Nairobi on Thursday.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the chancellors could chair sessions where prospective vice-chancellors of public universities are vetted before appointment.

“The chancellors can chair forums where a section of the senate of a particular university, the student leadership and alumni may interrogate shortlisted candidates for vice-chancellor positions,” said Dr Matiang’i.

The Cabinet secretary said this would ensure transparency and accountability in the appointment of VCs.

Dr Matiang’i also challenged the chancellors to come up with mechanisms to address internal conflicts facing their respective universities, instead of having the courts get involved in the issues.

He said the politicisation and ethnicisation of universities was undermining the capacities of the institutions to establish and strengthen the infrastructure needed for the provision of quality higher education.

Dr Matiang’i also asked the chancellors to explore ways of building capacities for university managers on leadership.

He said the government had directed investigations into financial mismanagement in a number of public universities.

Dr Matiang’i said the move had been necessitated by an earlier audit that indicated that resources allocated to universities were not being put to proper use.

“A special audit in selected universities will be carried out by the Kenya National Audit Office,” said the minister.

He warned that those who will be found culpable will be prosecuted.

Dr Matiang’i, however, did not disclose the number of universities that are under investigation.