Low funding of universities compromising the quality of education -University of Embu VC

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Embu Prof. Daniel Mugendi has called upon the government to increase the universities funding to save them from operational crisis.

Speaking during the fifth charter anniversary celebrations and the annual customer service week at the university, Mugendi said the expenses for universities are increasing every day and the funding has never been enough to facilitate their operations.

''The expenses for universities have been increasing year in year out then you find the budget is declining. That has been a big challenge and that is why we are calling the government to increase the university funding,'' said Prof. Mugendi.

The VC noted that many universities in the country have not been in position to meet their financial needs due to dwindling finances from the exchequer.

Gov’t intervention

He called upon the government to intervene by developing a financing framework for universities in order to ensure smooth operations of the higher institutions of higher learning.

Prof. Mugendi said the stoppage of parallel degree programmes for about four years which was one of the sources of money for universities worsened the situation as those funds used to top up what the government was providing for universities.

“It is not practical to expect universities to continue giving quality education and services without proper funding,” noted Prof Mugendi.

Nonetheless, the don said the university had initiated several income-generating projects for alternative funding.

He said they had made investment in projects such as detergents and sanitizers manufacturing as well as production of yoghurt from their dairy farm to remain financially stable.

Bishop Samuel Nginyi from Redeemed Gospel Church who was the guest of honour during the celebrations challenged the government to create opportunities for the youth especially graduates joining the job market.

Last year the University of Embu was recognized as the best performing public institution in performance contracting in all state corporations.

STORY By BRIAN MUSYOKA, EDITED By MUSYOKA NGUI