While several local universities are struggling financially due to a huge debt crisis, others are enjoying stability and high enrolment rates, due to among others the introduction of market-driven programmes.
Zetech University according to the Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene, has introduced several programmes and has seen its population soar as evidenced by the opening of the Mangu Campus in Juja, among several other infrastructural programmes that the institution is undertaking.
According to Prof Munene, responding to market demands by producing employable students, and ensuring students complete their programmes in time makes institutions attractive to students.
He said some of the programmes are under review with the Commission for University Education (CEU), while others have been inspected and are ready for mounting.
The new programmes, he said includes Bachelor of Education (Science), degrees in Nursing Data Analytics, Law, BioMedical Science and International Relations both Masters and PhD level.
He added that the University in August this year introduced Masters and PhD programmes in Computer Science, Doctors in Philosophy and Masters of Science in Information Technology and the demand has been huge.
“We have more than 20 scholars who have enrolled in the Masters and PhD programme in Computer Science which we launched in August. Kenyans have also shown a huge interest in these other programmes that we have introduced. We want to give them a great choice and we hope this will push our enrolment rates up,” he said while speaking to journalists on Monday on the academic progress of the institution.
The VC called on students to enroll in programmes that boost their employability once they graduate, noting that some still pursue outdated programmes that leave them ill-prepared for today’s job market.
“The CUE and other stakeholders have been vocal in encouraging students to pursue market-driven academic programmes. Students need to have mentors to help them choose these programmes appropriately as this will reduce joblessness after they graduate,” said Prof Njenga.
