Constructed at a cost of 1.4Billion shillings, the new Confucius Building hosts a number of lecture halls, conference facilities, accommodation facilities, staff offices and Chinese Language research offices and language libraries.
Speaking during a courtesy call to the University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, the Ambassador noted that the institutions of higher learning from the two countries could collaborate on Nano Technology and oil exploration. The Ambassador opined that Iran has over 40 years’ experience in the two sectors and are willing to share with Kenya. He also revealed that they could work on staff and students exchange programs.
Speaking during a demonstration session by the lead engineers and doctors, Prof. Stephen Kiama, the University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor, congratulated the team for the hardwork put in place to ensure that the low cost portable ventilator comes to life. “This demonstrates our value of care. We care for Kenyans”, he said. He added that once the machine is deployed, it will go along way in helping Kenyans with many respiratory problems long after the COVID19 is gone.
These include vaccine development, community outreach, food security, ventilator fabrication, sustainable urban mobility, humanitarian and development interventions, education and rapid response, rapid response to fiscal and economic implications, poverty, psychosocial support, victims and conflicts among others.
Under the able leadership of Prof. Stephen Kiama, the University of Nairobi have been able to produce holistic graduates that serve Kenyan in virtually all sectors of the economy. Graduates from the institution have an employability rate of 38 per cent.
Kenyatta University follows at 30 per cent, Moi (25), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture Technology (JKUAT) 19, Egerton (18), Maseno (18) and Technical University at 10 per cent.
In his 30 minutes address, he pointed out that the University is guided by its core values; innovativeness, care and commitment. He pointed out that the University staff, researchers, doctors and post-graduate medical students have shown great commitment in the fight against covid-19.
Quoting his mentor, the late Nobel Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai, Prof. Kiama urged staff and students to do their part in the fight against the epidemic.
UoN vice-chancellor Stephen Kiama said researchers were burning the midnight oil to find a solution to the pandemic through different approaches.
“University of Nairobi researchers are also writing proposals for research grants required for arresting Covid-19,” Kiama said in a memo dated April 1 to staff and students.
This was revealed when Ms. Veroux Gabrielle from the French Embassy, paid a courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama on March 13, 2020. The building will be co-shared by the College of Architecture and Engineering (CAE) and the College of Biological and Physical Sciences, (CBPS). The building will prioritize safe spaces for women in sciences as well as host joint research programs between the two colleges. High Level Leaders, will also have a chance to share ideas with students on a regular basis.
Speaking during the event, Alumni Association Chairman, Mr. Isaac Awuondo observed that about 4000 students have benefited from the yearly scholarships, since the Alumni Association was established in 2005. He said that the aim to support scholarship beneficiaries get internships, jobs, work study programs and mentorship from the Alumni. The scholarship opportunities are only open to first years, but overwhelming applications were received from continuing students, signaling the need to broaden the list of beneficiaries.
Sadly, on Monday 9th March 2020, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Finance, Planning & Development, Prof. Isaac Mbeche lost his son, Mr. Fred Meroka Mbeche
