CUEA: Catholic University Prepares for Arrival of First CBC Cohort in 2029
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) is undertaking a comprehensive Curriculum and resource preparedness in anticipation of the first cohort of students from Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to join higher education in 2029, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University has said.
The CBC system was introduced in Kenya in 2017 and shifted the education system from the 8-4-4 system to a 2-6-3-3-3 model that emphasizes practical skills, hands-on learning, and a learner-centered approach.
CUEA’s preparedness, therefore, addresses the need for the higher education institution to align with a curriculum designed to produce graduates toward the “next level of growth and socio-economic level of creating wealth, innovators, ethical, and value-based leaders.”
The VC, of the Kenya-based University, Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Mbugua Ngari, emphasized that the university’s preparations are critical for supporting the national goal and aligns directly with the foundational ethos of the CBC, whose vision is to produce an “engaged, empowered and ethical citizen,” and whose core values such as love, responsibility, respect, unity, peace, patriotism, social justice, and integrity are consciously integrated into the educational delivery.
According to Fr. Mbugua, CUEA’s forward-looking approach to the CBC cohort is coupled with infrastructural development, including the construction of a new tuition facility and a planned health facility.
“CUEA is on her growth trajectory. We have developed market and growth-driven programmes. We have purchased more land adjacent to us that will be used to build the College of Health Sciences and a research-based health facility for our people in the AMECEA region and beyond,” the VC disclosed.”
Stressing CUEA’s competency in instilling transformative values in students during the 44th graduation ceremony themed, “Pilgrims of Hope: Consecrated to Transform Nations through Innovative Education,” Fr. Mbugua stressed that “those who graduate from CUEA must fulfil what their status as CUEA Graduates promises, which is being champions of value-based professionalism.”
He added, “Please, stand out to be counted as promoters of these transformative values, since you are the hope of our people today,” in a world facing the brunt of rampant corruption, unchecked socio-economic inequalities, and unprecedented distortion of morality.”
If the graduates of CUEA implement the transformative values instilled in them, the VC said, “This will create opportunities for the society itself in regard to self-sustainability, keeping faith in God, and living honourable lives.”
