Kimathi University college of Technology is soon being elevated to full university status.
This is an assurance given by the Minister for Higher Education Margret Kamar when she visited the institution on Monday to commission the water testing and fluid mechanics laboratory. The project which was financed by economic stimulus program phase two will now make the institution boast of an equipped laboratory in addition to its advanced design and manufacturing training center which houses mechanical workshop used by majorly mechanical and mechantronic engineers.
Kimathi which was initially an institute of technology before it became a constituent college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in 2007 has undergone several infrastructural development such building a modern resource center, dinning hall and currently working on their road network. The university has also opened two campuses, one in Nyeri town and the other at Nairobi CBD. The university also boasts of being the first institution to have a conservancy in Kenya.
The laboratory which will be used majorly by civil and mechanical engineers will see the students learn at home unlike previously where they had to go to JKUAT.
Kamar also congratulated the institution for their focus and determination which has made their 2010 candidates ahead of others in other university since they have already started their second year studies whereas some still wait to join. She attributed this to liason between the university and the business community which provides hostel services at an affordable rate allowing the institution to focus on its core activity. The Professor challenged other universities to learn from Kimathi so as not to admit students based on their bed capacity.
Kamar however challenged the students to make good use of the facilities lest they be useless to the community. Education secretary challenged the being nurtured engineers to be job creators and not job seekers. The minister even ridiculed that she is waiting to product written 'made in Kimathi' as the country currently import most things which can be made locally.
Other colleges of technology in the list are Kenya Polytechnic and Mombasa Polytechnic. Others in attendance were-: chancellor for JKUAT Francis Gichanga, Education secretary, Kimathi University principle Ndiragu Kioni amongst other guests.
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