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The first biennial Kenya universities funding conference will be held this week to discuss sustainable financing for struggling institutions.

During the conference to be attended by over 100  stakeholders, discussions will centre on ways to improve welfare for both public and private universities by enhancing strategic partnerships and exploring effective resource mobilisation techniques.

Basic needs

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu is expected to participate in the conference to be held on Thursday and Friday in Mombasa. It will be attended by vice-chancellors, policymakers, private sector players and development partners.

“Universities in Kenya are facing a financial crisis following years of dwindling government funding in the face of a rising cost of education. So bad is the situation that most universities are struggling to meet their basic needs including payment of salaries and statutory deductions,” states the conference policy brief.

During the conference, participants are expected to deliberate on the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model, which is used to inform the disbursement of funds to universities and generate resolutions on sustainable university financing.

According to the conference brief, the current financial situation has prompted calls for a review of DUC funding model to address the underlying challenges and align it with the national priority areas.

Machogu (pictured) has assured that the government is determined to tackle the crisis in universities in order to promote stability and ensure the quality of education is not compromised.