No student has been sent home over fees, says PS

Principal Secretary in charge of Higher Learning and Research Dr. Beatrice Inyangala has dismissed claims that universities are sending away government-sponsored students over tuition fees.

Inyangala dispelled as fallacious, the information published in some local dailies and on social media platforms saying that no higher learning institution has demanded fees from the students.

Speaking during the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) 12th annual innovation open day, the PS upheld that the Ministry of Education is still categorising students being admitted to universities to determine those who will be fully sponsored by the government, vulnerable, the needy and less needy.

“We are still processing admission to the universities so that we can categorise the students into various categories. The period has been extended so that we serve all students. As it is, I want to unreservedly confirm that no university has sent students away because of tuition fees,” stated Inyangala.

Chasing away students

Having been implicated in chasing away students because of tuition fees, JKUAT Vice Chancellor Prof Victoria Wambui Ngumi cleared that no student is being asked to pay a single penny at the moment.

She stated that out of 6,000 students the university has received so far, none of them has been sent away, adding that the learners are currently undergoing orientation before they start the actual learning.

“We have not and will not ask any student to pay fees. The students are going through their orientation before they start the actual learning. We have received over 6,000 students and are expecting more,” stated Ngumi.

Meanwhile, Inyangala challenged universities in the country to put more emphasis on research and innovation so as to provide solutions to a myriad of problems facing the communities and the country.

While lauding JKUAT for being at the forefront in providing academic programs that are designed to equip graduates with the skills that help the innovate solutions to challenges bedevilling the society, PS Inyangala added that innovations is the way to go in creating new opportunities.

Ivory tower

“We have been encouraging universities to go out of the ivory tower to address the problems that affect our people. This is what we have seen today during the innovations open day.

“We have managed to see the use of drowns in solving food insecurity, creation of useful gas out of recycled materials and so forth. I am confident that if we go this way, we are not only going to resolve our daily problems but also help cut down on imports,” said Inyangala.

On her part, Prof Ngumi noted that the University’s research and innovation model is aligned with the country’s Vision 2030, whose tapestry is woven with threads of science, technology and innovation alongside education development.

“Higher learning institutions in the country have the key to unlocking innovative solutions that harmonise diverse fields, especially agricultural productivity with climate adaptation and mitigation strategies,” said Ngumi.

Among the innovations showcased at the event attended by university and secondary school students among other guests is the establishment of a cough syrup generated from snail slime and which is expected to treat children’s dry coughs.

This, the researchers believe, will be a ground-breaking solution and a game-changer to persistent coughs, especially among children under the age of five.

According to Dr Paul Kinoti, a lead researcher in the snails’ value chain project at JKUAT, his team has also been coming up with an array of products ranging from delicious snail meat, skincare products, organic fertilizers, and animal feeds.

“The JKUAT research project entails the analysis of the constituents of the snail slime to come up with a natural, organic and affordable syrup to address persistent coughs. We are excited that the efforts we have made over the years have not been in vain and have been validated,” he said.