The Acting Vice-Chancellor, held a high-level engagement forum with students and staff at the Mombasa Campus, reaffirming the University鈥檚 commitment to responsive leadership and improved service delivery.
The meeting, defined by candid dialogue and mutual respect, provided a platform for stakeholders to openly share their experiences and propose solutions to ongoing challenges. Students highlighted concerns related to access to learning resources, system inefficiencies, and the need to strengthen digital infrastructure鈥攑articularly for distance learners. Staff members raised issues around administrative bottlenecks, staffing shortages, and the importance of establishing clearer career progression pathways.
In his address, Prof. Okumu emphasized the value of listening as a foundation for institutional growth, acknowledging the concerns raised as critical opportunities for improvement rather than setbacks.
鈥淚 came to listen, not to lecture. A University thrives when its people are heard and its systems work,鈥� he stated.
Demonstrating a commitment to immediate action, the Acting Vice-Chancellor announced several interventions, including the deployment of a rapid-response maintenance team to address facility-related concerns more efficiently. Additionally, the University鈥檚 ICT department has been tasked with enhancing Wi-Fi bandwidth in key areas across the campus to support academic and administrative functions.
Addressing concerns on staffing and administrative delays, Prof. Okumu assured the community that internal processes would undergo review to streamline operations and reduce bureaucracy.
Also present was Paul Okemo, who underscored the University鈥檚 practical approach to reforms.
鈥淲e will not promise the moon, but we will fix what is broken鈥攐ne challenge at a time,鈥� he noted, while urging staff to remain committed to excellence in their respective roles.
Further insights were provided by Bernard Kivunge, who highlighted the strategic opportunity to strengthen marine-based programmes at the Mombasa Campus, leveraging its unique coastal location and existing facilities. He also indicated that efforts are underway to enhance student placement at the campus through Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service.
The engagement concluded with a shared commitment to accountability and progress, with plans to reconvene in the near future to assess implementation of the agreed actions. The session left both students and staff cautiously optimistic, reflecting renewed confidence in leadership and a collective drive toward continuous improvement.