for The Aga Khan University from the chairman of the
Commission for Higher Education, Dr Davy Koech,
yesterday in Nairobi.
|
for The Aga Khan University from the chairman of the Commission for Higher Education, Dr Davy Koech, yesterday in Nairobi. |
A new private university which will offer diploma and degree level courses in health and education was launched in Nairobi yesterday.
The Aga Khan University, to be based in Nairobi's Parklands area, was given a Letter of Interim Authority, at a ceremony attended by President Moi and its Chancellor The Aga Khan, Imam of the Ismaili Muslims.
The issuing of the letter is the first step of the accreditation process, which will culminate in the award of a Charter.
The Aga Khan University, whose first campus will be at a site opposite the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, becomes the tenth private university to receive a Letter of Interim Authority since the government allowed private investors to set up universities.
Others are the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, the Kenya Methodist University, Kabarak University, Kiriri Women's University of Science and Technology, University of Eastern Africa (Baraton), Daystar University, Scott Theological College, Africa Nazarene University and the United States International University of Eastern Africa (USIU).
Africa Nazarene, Kenya Methodist, Kabarak and Kiriri still operate under Letters of Interim Authority, while Daystar, Catholic University, University of Eastern Africa, Scott Theological College and USIU have been given charters.
The Interim Letter of Authority was given to the Aga Khan by the chairman of the Commission for Higher Education, Dr Davy Koech, who said the university could set up a governing body, proceed with construction and recruit academic staff.
The university can also advertise its programmes and admit students.
The Aga Khan said Sh7 billion will have been invested in the university by the year 2005. The existing Aga Khan hospitals and other health facilities will help train nurses and doctors, while the schools will help feed the university with students.
President Moi praised The Aga Khan for investing in Kenya and appealed to other investors to put their money in Kenya.
President Moi criticised Western scientists who were "tampering with god's creation" in the name of research.
The Regional Director for Advanced Nursing Studies Programme at the Aga Khan University, Dr Grace Miller, said the university would offer opportunities for working nurses to study for degrees.
When fully operational, the School of Nursing will offer a three-year diploma course in nursing, a two-year post-basic course and four-year BSc degree in nursing and MSc degree in nursing.