Tertiary units urged to invest to attract more learners
By Clement Kamau, July 26, 2025Institutions of higher learning in the country have been advised to invest heavily in academic programs which attract local and international learners.
Commission for University Education (CUE) Chief Executive Officer Mike Kuria says that it’s unfortunate to see thousands of local learners travelling abroad to join universities and other tertiary institutions because academic programs of their choice are not available locally.
He said that local institutions should change and align themselves with internationally recognised programs in order to attract both local and interest students.
Speaking at St Paul’s University, Limuru, he said, “Every year, a lot of students leave our country to study different courses abroad at different universities. It is not bad, but we need to improve our programs so that they are felt locally and internationally, and the situation will also see international students joining our universities”.
The CUE boss said that if the same is done, Kenyan students will be globally competent and can also get a job locally and internationally.
“The bottom line is competence. What one can do. What they can handle and deliver, but are we producing what’s needed locally and internationally?” Kuria asserted.
Kuria was the chief guest at the private institution during the launch of its 5 years strategic plan.
The strategic plan aims to run from 2025 to 2030, and will be guided by a theme, “Building resilience through innovation and digitalisation”.
Hosted by the University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof James Kombo, he noted that universities hold the key to an improved and developed society.
“Universities have a big responsibility to ensure all students leave them as creative and innovative as possible. The university’s contributions towards everything need to be felt in the society,” he said.
He also challenged the universities to come up with strategies to support students financially instead of depending on government funds.
The CEO spoke at a time when the SPU’s strategic plan, which was launched, has a provision of starting an endowment kitty to support needy families.