Pursue medical and education courses, urges Matiang’i

Some of the Aga Khan University graduands during the ceremony held in Nairobi on February 10, 2016. Construction of the Aga Khan University campus in Arusha is set to take off soon, its officials have announced. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Education CS said some varsities lacked adequate facilities for academic work and were unable to do enough research.

  • Dr Matiang’i said they were working on granting the Aga Khan University a charter to operate as a full-fledged university.

  • Aga Khan University President Firoz Rasul said the institution was expanding to have a medical school and a school of nursing.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has decried the small number of people pursuing education and medical degrees, saying the country needs more.

Speaking at the Aga Khan University graduation ceremony in Nairobi on Wednesday, Dr Matiang’i said that due to the huge demand for higher education, the sub-sector was not generating enough skilled manpower.

He said some universities lacked adequate facilities for academic work and were unable to do enough research.

“Poorly equipped laboratories as well as limited Internet and inappropriate teaching methods are some of the challenges we are facing,” he said.

“Academic staff must have adequate staff offices. Staff in some of our universities endure unsatisfactory working environments, affecting productivity.”

The CS said he was working to enforce legislation that ensures innovative leaders are engaged in the universities.

Dr Matiang’i said they were working on granting the Aga Khan University a charter to operate as a full-fledged university.

Aga Khan University President Firoz Rasul said the institution was expanding to have a medical school and a school of nursing.

“Currently, we only train doctors who want to specialise, but we are looking at building a medical school and a nursing school in Nairobi, he said.

A total of 57 students graduated with Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Medicine and Master of Education degrees.