The University of Nairobi was mired in controversy earlier this year after its council chose Prof Stephen Kiama to take the mantle.
Education CS George Magoha dissolved the council and revoked the appointment, and Kiama went to court.
He rode the storm to retain his seat. The Star caught up with him to discuss the controversy and his vision for the university.
The Star: Your appointment was met with backlash and opposition from the executive and undertones linked it to the Deputy President. Have you ever met him?
Prof Kiama: No, I have not met him. I have no relationship with the number two and I'm not a political project. I was the chairman of the department [of veterinary anatomy and physiology] and associate dean of the faculty. Since 2003, I have been on administration of this university, a member of the senate since 2003.
I finished that, moved to director, Wangari Maathai Institute, then moved to be the principal of the college, then became deputy vice chancellor in charge of human resource and administration and acting DVC, finance planning and development, and then I went for interviews and I emerged top and was appointed as vice chancellor of the university.
I was shortlisted and it was in the public domain but nobody said anything until my appointment. The minute you’ve been shortlisted it means you have what it takes to take up the position. Any of those shortlisted could rise to be top candidate.
As you begin the journey, what do you plan to do for the University of Nairobi?
The first thing I’d love to ensure is the university brings a positive impact to the Kenyan community. Universities run using public resources and they must feel that it is bringing value back to them. This will be attained by making sure the scholars are given opportunity to contribute to the agenda of the nation without interference.
As a country we have been conditioned to certain things, but for a country to grow, there must be that person who is bringing new ideas, new agendas to the table because everybody wants things to remain as they are, the comfort zones. And a country does not invest in university education for students to just get degrees, it has some value addition purpose. And the University of Nairobi can be that institution offering the direction, solutions, innovations and agendas for the community.
Source - Star Newspaper
THE VC DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE STAR NEWSPAPER
he University of Nairobi was mired in controversy earlier this year after its council chose Prof Stephen Kiama to take the mantle.
Education CS George Magoha dissolved the council and revoked the appointment, and Kiama went to court.
He rode the storm to retain his seat. The Star caught up with him to discuss the controversy and his vision for the university.
The Star: Your appointment was met with backlash and opposition from the executive and undertones linked it to the Deputy President. Have you ever met him?
Prof Kiama: No, I have not met him. I have no relationship with the number two and I'm not a political project. I was the chairman of the department [of veterinary anatomy and physiology] and associate dean of the faculty. Since 2003, I have been on administration of this university, a member of the senate since 2003.
I finished that, moved to director, Wangari Maathai Institute, then moved to be the principal of the college, then became deputy vice chancellor in charge of human resource and administration and acting DVC, finance planning and development, and then I went for interviews and I emerged top and was appointed as vice chancellor of the university.
I was shortlisted and it was in the public domain but nobody said anything until my appointment. The minute you’ve been shortlisted it means you have what it takes to take up the position. Any of those shortlisted could rise to be top candidate.
As you begin the journey, what do you plan to do for the University of Nairobi?
The first thing I’d love to ensure is the university brings a positive impact to the Kenyan community. Universities run using public resources and they must feel that it is bringing value back to them. This will be attained by making sure the scholars are given opportunity to contribute to the agenda of the nation without interference.
As a country we have been conditioned to certain things, but for a country to grow, there must be that person who is bringing new ideas, new agendas to the table because everybody wants things to remain as they are, the comfort zones. And a country does not invest in university education for students to just get degrees, it has some value addition purpose. And the University of Nairobi can be that institution offering the direction, solutions, innovations and agendas for the community.
Source - Star Newspaper
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