CUEA: New Vice Chancellor promises to Focus on Increasing Students’ number and provide Quality Service at the University
Prof. Justus Gitari Mbae, Acting/New VC-CUEA
The (Acting/New) Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) Prof. Justus Gitari Mbae has said that growing the population of CUEA students is one of the top most agenda of his leadership at the institution.
Prof. Mbae was addressing University Senate Members, Deputy Vice Chancellors, Principles of Constituent colleges of CUEA, Deans and Directors, Heads of Departments, Lecturers, and CUEA Staff in his acceptance speech at the University’s main campus in Langata Nairobi.
“One immediate change that must happen is with respect to the right place of the students in this institution. We must all work even harder to grow our student numbers. CUEA is well capable of accommodating double the number of students we currently have,” he said.
In an event that was attended by the Chairman of the CUEA University Council, Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia, Bishop of Nakuru Diocese in Kenya, as well as AMECEA Secretary General Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo, Prof. Mbae said that there is no need to get more students if the University cannot even satisfy the few that they have.
“In the coming days we shall concentrate among other things on placing the CUEA students at the center of all our operations. After all that is why we are here. And this we will do not only in our thought and in our words but also in action,” he said. He further added that the University must not only provide quality service but also provide an environment of care that enables every one of CUEA students live and cherish the CUEA experience.
While acknowledging the fact that the University is currently experiencing a number of challenges, he encouraged staff members not to give up hope, but see the challenges as great opportunities to do better. “Someone said that for every challenge there is an opportunity, if that is true and I think it is, then we are then lucky we have many challenges and so we also have many opportunities. Let us focus on those opportunities and make a mark as we continue building on the foundation that others have already put in place before us,” he said.
Prof. Mbae is optimistic that the University will overcome the challenges it is currently facing because it is a strong and resilient institution with a clear vision, mission, sense of identity, direction and purpose. “Our task and responsibility in whatever capacity we serve this institution is to help the University achieve its mission which is to become a world class university,” he said.
He encouraged the entire University community to works together in order to achieve its goal and finding lasting solutions to the problems they are currently facing. “I don’t want to make promises even before I take office, however, some things are very clear in my mind. Ours is a University which cannot afford to remain alone in our ivory tower,” he said.
He said that the University must not only produce papers, degrees and certificates, but must also work towards national, regional and international visibility and recognition. It must also have a voice that must occasionally be heard. The University must be fully engaged with the outside world. “It is only when a university is relevant and connected to society that its value is seen and appreciated.”
Prof. Mbae also appreciated the work that was done by his predecessor Msgr. Dr. Pius Rutechura under whose directions he worked for four of his six years at CUEA in the office of DVC Academic. “I am privileged to be taking over from someone whom I consider to be not only a colleague but also a friend and a mentor,” he said.
Among the successes at the University he attributed to Msgr. Rutechura include the completed magnificent Learning Resource Center (LRC) Complex, a Campus in Eldoret, the Nairobi City Campus, two key institutes namely the Canon Law and Institute for Regional Integration and Development (IRID) and a vibrant chaplaincy.
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
