Prof Laila named new TUM vice chancellor after topping interviews

Prof Laila Abubakar pictured in past function. The Ministry of Education has named her the Technical University of Mombasa vice chancellor after she emerged top in the interviews. PHOTO | GALGALO BOCHA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Prof Laila has been the acting VC for two years.
  • She was appointed following the sacking of then VC Josphat Mwatela.

Prof Laila Abubakar has been confirmed as the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) vice chancellor after serving two year in an acting capacity.

She was appointed acting vice chancellor after former Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i sacked Prof. Josphat Mwatela.

Appointed in February 2016, Ms Laila has brought to a halt students’ unrest after facilitating the accreditation of Engineering Programmes by the Engineers Board of Kenya in August.

Some of Prof Laila’s achievements as acting VC include establishment of a School of Medicine that is set to be commissioned end of this year, new hostels at Kwale Campus and a modern customer care centre.

Early this year, TUM was acknowledged and listed as a UNESCO centre of excellence.

The move by CS Amina brings to a halt over two months of anxiety following interviews held in mid-February that attracted five candidates with Laila, who was the only woman, emerging tops.

Interviewed alongside Laila were Isaiah Omollo (Kenyatta University), Colins Ouma (Maseno University), Machakos University’s Douglas Shitanda, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Deogratius Jaganyi, Maurice Amutabi of Lukenya University.