MKU Awarded ISO Certificate, Says it Will Enhance Growth
The Kenya Bureau of Standards has awarded Mount Kenya University (MKU) a quality assurance standard (KEBS).
According to University Council Chairman Prof David Serem, ISO Certification will boost growth and improve educational quality at the university.
“MKU has campuses, marketing and Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL) Centres across the country and in the wider East African region.
“Moreover, other partner institutions will desire to collaborate with an ISO Certified institution,” Prof Serem said.
Eng Zachariah Lukorito, Kebs’ chief manager of standards development and trade, presided over the ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management System recertification ceremony.
Prof John Struthers, the university chancellor, stated that as a member of the university leadership for several years, he understands the enormous work that has been put in to achieve ISO 9001 re-certification.
“This standard in the educational field evaluates and certifies all processes related to teaching and student learning in order to guarantee the quality of the educational institutions,” he said.
The chancellor stated that this is critical in an increasingly competitive environment in Kenya and around the world.
“Given the ever-increasing competition among universities in the world today, the ISO 9001 Certified institutions are able to compete strongly in the face of this competition,” he added
KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari lauded the University saying, “It will boost the university’s mission of providing world-class education, research and innovation for global transformation and sustainable development.
“With this certification, you are squarely putting the university in the world map in terms of quality academic programmes and graduating of students with international quality standards,” Ngari added in a speech read on her behalf by Eng Lukorito
Ngari stated that in a world recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving the UN Agenda 2030 (SDGs) and Kenya’s Vision 2030 requires accelerated and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders and government agencies.
“One important lesson stemming from the covid-19 pandemic is that we need to build and strengthen our resilience to the risks associated with extreme events of such nature,” she said.
According to Ngari, post-pandemic policies must incorporate resilience and risk management planning.
“The biggest risk is losing years of growth efforts to one major external shock. To build back better, over the medium and long term, this ISO certification provides a viable framework and solution,” she noted.
Prof Serem stated that the university council will continue to support the university administration in developing policies, implementing best practices, and establishing systems and structures that will position MKU as a quality assurance behemoth.
“MKU is committed to provision of world class education, research and innovation for individual transformation and sustainable development.
"Pursuit of this commitment, the university shall continually monitor its context, ensure compliance with all applicable requirements and continually improve on its effectiveness by implementing a quality management system based on ISO 9001:2015,” he added.
Dr. Jane Nyutu, a founding member of MKU’s board of directors, expressed gratitude to the university’s leadership, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof Deo Jaganyi, for achieving ISO certification.
“I recognise the support KEBS has given us since 2012 when we got the first certification of ISO 9001:2008 standard version.
"I commend Madam Esther Ngari for the support and promise that the Board will continue to support the University Management through injecting resources especially ICT infrastructure necessary to ease the service delivery and promote quality delivery.
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“Our directorate of quality assurance conducts surveys and evaluations every semester to receive feedback from our students on the standards levels of our service delivery,” he said.
Dr Vincent Gaitho, pro-chancellor of MKU, stated that the certification means the university’s management and staff are taking on more responsibility in the institution.
“The drivers of this programme, led by Prof Jaganyi, have continued to have the zeal and commitment. The board has provided the infrastructure.
"But without the staff who are the carriers of this vision, it will of no use,” he said, urging the staff to be ready to take the extra responsibilities.
MKU Awarded ISO Certificate, Says it Will Enhance Growth
