History for Lukenya University in launch of Pan-African Institute, 5th graduation

• The university currently offers over 10 degree programs, way up from the initial 2. 
• It has been among the fastest-growing universities in the country. 
• The Pan-African Institute will have a great impact on the University’s position in Africa.

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As Kenya continues to make more strides into the academe world, more universities are becoming world-class centers of innovation and research, providing solutions to society’s lingering problems.

This stands true with Lukenya University, an institution accredited in 2015 and elevated to a fully-fledged university in 2021.

The institution of higher learning has been among the fastest-growing universities in the country. 

To make its training better, the university is launching a Pan-African Institute on November 9, 2023, an event set to precede the university’s fifth graduation, happening on November 10, 2023. 

Lukenya University is headed by Prof. Constantine Nyamboga, the Vice Chancellor and Professor of Information Science (MIS), assisted by three Deputy Vice Chancellors. 

“The University has made remarkable achievements, the memorable one being the award of Charter in August 2022, which gave the university full authority to operate in Kenya and beyond by the then President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta,” says Prof. Nyamboga, who joined the university in 2022.

Academic excellence

The university currently offers over 10 degree programs, way up from the initial 2. 

Dr. Paul Mwania is the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic and Students Affairs at Lukenya University. He is also a Senior Lecturer in the School of Business and Economics. 

Lukenya University currently has four schools: School of Health Science, School of Business & Economics, School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, and School of Education and Social Sciences, which offer certificate, diploma, and degree courses. 

“We have a total of 3150 students from both on campus and off campus. We have international students from Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria and Malawi,” he told Scholar Media Africa in an interview. 

Of them, 428 will be graduating on November 10. 

“We are graduating more students than we have ever graduated before and who are more marketable in the job market because of their subject combinations,” Dr. Mwania explains.

He further notes that the employability of their graduates has increased due to the increased demand for more teachers for the Competency Based Curriculum.

BSc in Dryland Agriculture, Bachelor of Education Science, and Bachelor of Education Arts are some of the degree courses the university has been shining in, according to Dr. Mwania.

Pan-African Institute

The launch of the Pan-African Institute is set to be a major boost to the historical calendar of the university.

To rubberstamp its significance, the event will be graced by the presence of Julius Sello Malema, from South Africa, a renowned orator and the leader of Economic Freedom Fighters, who will be the Keynote Speaker.

Kenya’s renowned Pan-Africanist and global thought leader, Prof. PLO Lumumba, will be the event’s Chief Guest. It’s entirely enthralling how the launch will build up to the Graduation Ceremony on the next day.

“The Institute is timely for Lukenya University as it will enable both staff and students of Lukenya University to exploit opportunities resulting from the Pan-Africa Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme usually supported by the European Union and the Africa Union. 

This will support skills development through promoting academic mobility and facilitating exchanges of experience and best practices among universities in Africa,” says Prof. Nyamboga. 

According to Dr. Mwania, the facility will also “…foster collaboration and networking opportunities among institutions across the African continent. 

Lukenya University can benefit from these collaborations by engaging in joint research projects, sharing knowledge, and gaining access to a broader research community.”

Diversification and internationalization of the university, easier access to financial and information resources, capacity-building through training, addressing contemporary challenges through pedagogy and research, enhanced research-focused collaborations and shaping the future of education in East Africa and in Africa and beyond, are some of the expected fruits of the Pan-African Institute as years go by. 

Dr. Mwania says, “By interacting with a diverse community of students and faculty from different African countries, Lukenya University students are set to gain a deeper understanding of cross-cultural perspectives, preparing them for the globalized world and promoting intercultural competency.”

“The Pan-African Institute will have a great impact on the University’s position in Africa, and we are already excited about this. We will be a center for Pan-Africanism in Africa and, thus, advocate for unity, brotherhood and collaboration in Africa. 

This will benefit not only ourselves, but the future generation. This role corroborates our motto, “Postera Crescam Luade” which means we labor for the esteem of the future generation. 

We need a united Africa for a positive impact on future generations,” explains Dr. Judith Wafula Ag. DVC Research, Collaborations and Community Outreach. 

This facility’s impact will span past the boundaries of Kenya, with the benefits overflowing to countries across Africa and enhancing a seamless permeation of the Pan-Africanism Spirit.

Its launch will equally launch Lukenya University into the space of a global research and Pan-African Center for matters related to Pan-Africanism and African Studies. 

A research hub

Lukenya University has been embracing research, with a niche in dryland research among other research areas in education, community development, business, health, natural sciences, technical studies, economics and social sciences.

Dr. Wafula observes, “In dryland research, the University is collaborating with the International Crops Research for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) on dryland cereals. These include sorghum, pearl millet and groundnuts, of which the best varieties for the semi-arid Kibwezi East Sub-County are determined.”

By joining hands with research organizations and institutions, sensitizing farmers about the crops suitable in their areas, and distributing tested-approved crops to farmers, among other research-driven engagements, Lukenya University has been providing solutions to the surrounding communities, Kenya and the continent at large. 

“Other research areas we’ve tossed ourselves into include vertical farming (hydroponics), nursery establishment through seed harvesting, mulberry propagation and sericulture. 

Further research with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) /CIAT-Alliance for Biodiversity/Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) on animal feed, Melia sp. and forage trials started following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on October 27, 2023,” explains Dr. Wafula. 

The university’s unequaled dedication to research, especially leaning towards agriculture for semi-arid regions, has been a solution-giver to farmers, researchers and the nation at large. 

“In community service, the university is fully involved in climate change responses with our “1 Million Tree Initiative”, in which we have embraced marathon sports for sensitization. The university is giving the communities free seedlings and trainings on planting and growing trees,” adds Prof. Nyamboga.

Collaborations

Lukenya University has constantly collaborated and partnered with like-minded organizations nationally and internationally, the County Government of Makueni, among other entities, in its bid to contribute to impeccable research, realization of SDGs and combating hunger and climate change.

They have also conducted workshops, training and knowledge exchange programs with universities in Kenya and beyond.

“Outside Africa, we have established links with Missouri University and Kansas University in the USA on student and staff exchange programs; Wageningen University in the Netherlands on Food Systems Challenge;

Ironwood Institute in Australia on student exchange, Weihenstephan University and Rosenheim University in Germany on student and staff exchange; 

and Wood Science and Furniture Technology program, among others,” says Dr. Wafula, Ag. DVC Research, Collaborations and Community Outreach.

Leveraging technology

To keep in step with the technology-driven and solution-focused impact universities are embracing, especially in the 21st century, Lukenya University has leveraged the power of technology.

The university offers Open, Distance & eLearning (ODeL) to provide alternative pathways to obtaining quality academic and professional qualifications to those who cannot attend face-to-face mode of learning and enhance access to its programs without geographical limitation.

This complements other digital-driven approaches to education and research the university utilizes, including blended learning and virtual classrooms. 

With only hours to count, “We are very prepared for the launch of the Pan-African Institute and the Graduation, and we welcome all the like-minded individuals and institutions on board,” says Dr. Wafula. 

Great future

The University continues to grow both in research and teaching infrastructure, including modern science and IT laboratories as well as language and computer laboratories.

The lecture halls have also been increased to meet the growing student populations together with hostels since this is a fully residential university.

The University continues to grow both in research and teaching infrastructure, including modern science and IT laboratories as well as language and computer laboratories.

The lecture halls have also been increased to meet the growing student populations together with hostels since this is a fully residential university.

Mutheu Kasanga, Ag. DVC Infrastructure Management, says the institution is seeking scholarships and admission for gifted students to nurture their talent in sports and otherwise.

“We have a growing portfolio of laboratories and specialist areas. We will soon be launching the School of nursing to focus on healthcare and stem-related training,” she says, adding that this will directly boost the healthcare workforce in the county.

She says the university is also equipped with computers and internet connection, among other aspects of digital infrastructure to allow the learners to be tech-savvy and equipped for the 21st Century workplace.

Ms. Kasanga says the university is sufficiently infrastructures not only to accommodate the students’ academic needs, but also to offer them a serene environment to stay in while undertaking their higher education.

“This institute will be a game changer because not many institutions domicile African Studies centers within them,” she says of the Pan-African Institute, highlighting the need for Africans, especially young people, to get involved in matters of Pan-Africanism.

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Concerning the university’s future, “I am looking forward to have Lukenya University an all-inclusive world class university producing cutting edge graduates, research and community service. A university of our days and the University of their days. In the long run, Lukenya University shall be a transformative institution befitting and suitable for humanity,” says the VC.