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Kenyatta University hunting for VC to replace Mugenda


Kenyatta University is looking for a new vice-chancellor to replace Prof Olive Mugenda, who is set to retire early next year after serving a 10-year term.

The university put an advertisement in the local dailies on Wednesday, asking qualified candidates to apply for the position.

The deadline for submitting applications is December 31.

The announcement effectively puts to rest speculation that Prof Mugenda’s term will be extended.

COMPLETE PROJECTS

A few weeks ago, a group of students had sought extension of her term to enable her to “complete the many projects she had started at the university”.

Prof Mugenda spearheaded a massive expansion of facilities at the university, raising student enrolment to the current 70,000 — the highest in the country. The university has 3,500 staff members.

She is credited with turning the university from a centre for education training to a multi-disciplinary institution.

Currently, the institution offers courses in medicine, law and architecture, which were never its domain.
In the announcement, the VC is expected to be a full professor with 10 years experience.

POSSIBLE SUCCESSORS

 

Besides, he or she must have training in leadership and management.

Some of the deputy vice-chancellors at the institution who are likely to seek to succeed Prof Mugenda are Prof John Okumu (academic), Prof Godfrey Msee (finance and development), Prof P K Wainaina (administration)  and Prof Fredrick Gravenir (research, innovation and outreach).

“The candidate should have a thorough knowledge for administering university education in Kenya,” states the advert.