Mount Kenya University (MKU) has been ranked number three out of 15 Kenyan universities that met the requirements considered in a regional ranking for top varsities. This came days ahead of the university’s 26th graduation that is slated to take place Friday December 6. The ranking was done by the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan, which featured 129 universities from 22 countries in the region. Regionally the university was ranked number 32 out of 129 Sub-Saharan Universities stamping its recognition regionally as a top academic destination.
Times Higher Education Ranking is a globally recognised ranking that runs many strategic rankings with an aim of recognising best performing Universities in different disciplines. “Being ranked among the top universities has been due to our continuous implementation of different policies and strategies that have over the years enhanced access to quality and affordable education to all people in the region,” said Prof Degratius Jaganyi, Vice Chancellor MKU.
One of the key methodologies by the ranking was “assess the impact of universities in addressing some of the toughest challenges faced in the region”. Jaganyi said that one of the areas where MKU had notably invested that have seen its climb to the top include state of the art facilities such as the Institute of tropical Medicine, which fosters research towards cross cutting diseases affecting the region.
It also include the Center for Malaria Elimination where MKU acquired the Illumina NextSeq 1000 machine, the first next-generation sequencer to be owned by an educational institution in Kenya.
“This cutting-edge, high-throughput platform places MKU at the forefront of genomic research, uniquely
equipped to tackle critical health challenges. The sequencer machine is utilized in cancer research, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) studies, and the investigation of infectious tropical diseases,” said Prof Jaganyi
At the same time, the university last week successfully hosted an engaging Digital Career Fair on its virtual platforms, bringing together students, graduates, professionals, and global experts to explore diverse career pathways. The event featured a series of keynote speeches, workshops, and panel discussions, underscoring MKU’s commitment to empowering youth with knowledge and opportunities for global success.
Dr. Martin Kimemia Gathiru, Vice-Chancellor of Mount Kigali University in Rwanda, delivered the keynote
speech, emphasizing the importance of leveraging digital platforms to connect with global opportunities.
Stella Mokaya Orina, Kenya’s Ambassador to Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, provided an enlightening session titled “Gateway to Germany: Opportunities and Requirements.” She detailed the pathways for Kenyan professionals to access education and work opportunities in Germany, setting the stage for a day of learning and inspiration.
Participants engaged in handson workshops covering a range of topics, including optimizing LinkedIn profiles, exploring careers in tech, finance, and law, and navigating Germany’s vocational training landscape. Niche areas such as taxation, international law, IT tools, and specialized vocational training for migrants in Germany were also discussed. Expert facilitators included Dr. Juliet Shali Shambi (SAP SuccessFactors), Gaby Wasensteiner (LinkedIn), and Hillary Bett (KWS Group), among others.
[John Muchucha]
