The core objective of SocialPRO clubs is to educate, impart knowledge & skills on various disciplines of social media to the university students and faculty. These clubs will also provide companies with a talent pool of graduates with a solid understanding of new media to help fix the knowledge gap in the corporate world. These clubs will also enhance collaboration between universities, exchange of ideas among the students and the industry and nurture creativity because students shall be exposed to the limitless possibilities online and learn how to tap into that potential therein. SocialPRO clubs will help university students refine their business ideas and find a high-potential commercial opportunity, gather resources such as talent and capital, figure out how to sell and market the idea and manage rapid growth. How? All the key partners they need for their start up ideas are on social networking sites. SocialPRO clubs will also create a platform that will enhance product and consumer engagement through creativity and innovation. The faculty will also benefit from these clubs as they’ll learn how to create and share digital content in various formats with the students across platforms thus ease content sharing and make learning more fun!

1. UoN receives grant to renovate
Taifa Hall

2. VarsityFocus
Our Vision
A world-class university committed to scholarly
excellence.
Our Mission
To provide quality university education and training and
to embody the aspirations of the Kenyan people and the
global community through creation, preservation,
integration, transmission and utilization of knowledge.
Our Core Values
• freedom of thought and expression;
• innovativeness and creativity;
• good corporate governance;
• team spirit and teamwork;
• professionalism;
• quality customer service;
• responsible corporate citizenship and strong social
responsibility;
• respect for and conservation of the environment.

3. s VarsityFocus
VarsityFocus
Published By
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
Public Relations Department
University of Nairobi
contents
P Box 30197 - 00100 Nairobi
.O.
Tel: 020 - 020-318262 Ext 28263
Telefax: 020 2246369
Email: pr@uonbi.ac.ke
www.uonbi.ac.ke
Copyright
profile
University of Nairobi, 2012
All rights reserved
Editor
State of the Tropics:
Charles E. Sikulu
Life shorter in the
Sub-Editor
tropics
Njeri Muhoro
Contributors The launch of a Regional
Surgical Skills Centre
Mariam Wachera Maina
Wallace Chwalla
Webuye H.O.D at UoN
Nzilani Muhia
Joseph Thuku
Ireri Kinyua Chinese to help build Centre for
Photography Seismological Training
David M. Syuki
Charles Muriuki
and Research
Creative Design
outbox communications School of Journalism
+254-020-2317477 to collaborate with China
info@outbox.co.ke Communication University
VF DEC 2012 1

4. VarsityFocus EDITORIAL
A year full of many
achievements
O
ur final edition of others, have either formally Secretary General, Ban Ki
the 2012 Varsity signed memorandum of Moon, while three School
Focus highlights understanding or began of Business students were
some of the recent activities collaboration talks with named worthy Google
of the last quarter of this UoN. Ambassadors, for seizing
year and in a nutshell, the opportunity to use
The University also hosted
reflects on some o f the technology to promote
local and foreign dignitaries
major accomplishments. sustainable development.
in intellectual discourse
This year we recorded The Women Student
with students and staff.
the highest ever number Welfare Association
The President of Ford
of graduates from the (WOSWA) through the
Foundation, Antony Louis
University of Nairobi - the Chairperson Nzilani Muia,
Ubiñas, the Chief Justice,
47th and 48 congregations participated in regional
Dr. Willy Mutunga and
have released over 13,000 forums which advocate
representatives from the
degree and diploma for faster development by
On this front, UN, IMF and World Bank
integrating women into key
holders into the job market,
Universities have interacted with the
highlighting the strategic decision making positions
UoN Community in recent
from the US, UK, importance of University of
times. The Ford Foundation
in grassroots organizations
Nairobi in providing quality and at a national level.
China, South human resources to drive
President, while giving his
The Psychology Club in
talk also announced a grant
Africa, Uganda the country towards the
of USD 500,000 to refurbish
conjunction with other
and Sudan attainment of the Kenya
Taifa Hall and modernize
stakeholders, engaged
Vision 2030. in corporate social
among others it to suit the academic
responsibility activities by
The University has also activities it has become
have either increased collaborations synonymous with.
helping needy children
in Kawangware, through
formally signed with leading international
Students on their part have counseling and mentorship.
universities to raise
memorandum of resources that will aid
been active in participating These and other stories
in international forums and
understanding research, student and staff
constitute our 2012 final
engaging in innovative edition of the Varsity Focus.
or began exchange and scholarships
ventures. Wallace Chwalla, I hope you enjoy reading it.
among others. On this
collaboration front, Universities from the
an engineering student, Do not hesitate to give us
was privileged to share your feedback.
talks with UoN. US, UK, China, South Africa,
a forum with the UN
Uganda and Sudan, among
Charles E. Sikulu
2 VF DEC 2012

5. VICE-CHANCELLOR VarsityFocus
Maintaining International
Links
I
n 2012, the University
of Nairobi took up a
fundamental part of Prof. George A.O. Magoha, Vice Chancellor
its business, which
is to maintain and forge
programmes and links The outcome of such links
with universities and other
institutions worldwide. This
was sharing expertise,
year, the university entered professionalism and common
over 15 new international
experiences and solutions to
collaborative arrangements.
problems
Education with an
international component is security, engineering, A third exciting and
necessary to equip students architecture, economics, major collaboration
with knowledge and skills and the arts. For instance, link is that with the
to survive and grow in a Lanzhou University, China, Chinese Earthquake
competitive labour market. is working with teams in the Administration, and the (USHEPiA) Advisory
Most links and collaboration areas of dry land agriculture department of geology. Committee Meeting, held
activities included and new agricultural Under the MoU, there will in October 2012, at our
institutional capacity technologies. be, the establishment of University and with partners
building (staff training and
An example of a major a Centre for Seismological drawn from :Universities
development, infrastructure,
and very international Training and Research in of Botswana, Cape Town,
equipment and donations of
collaboration is the link East Africa. The Centre will Dar es Salaam, Nairobi,
consumable) collaborative
project with University of be the base for expanding Zambia, Zimbabwe,
research, book donations,
Witwatersrand in South the four seismic stations Makerere University and
joint publications, journals,
Africa, which is centred on running in Kenya and Jomo Kenyatta University of
international and local
components of teaching, will also serve to train Agriculture and Technology,
conferences, workshops,
research and community international and local noted that since its
seminars, symposium,
engagement in public postgraduate students in inception, 52 persons had
contribution to the world of
health, engineering, social order to increase the human been awarded degrees.
science, colloquia etc.
sciences and palaeontology. resource base in earthquake A further eight fellows
Again through such links, mitigation technology and are on the completion
academic members of staff Another example of a major research. list, indicating that higher
and students have avenues ongoing collaboration education in Africa is
project is that between It is not in doubt that
through which to further being impacted on. The
the School of Business promoting collaborations
their research activities and Progromme sponsors, The
and the Switzerland and links has strengthened
at the same time jointly Rockefeller Foundation,
Management Centre, which the institutional and
source for funds in order to the Carnegie Corporation
aims at strengthening human capacity in
promote research activities’, and the Andrew W Mellon
training and applied African universities.
institutional capacity Foundation have indeed
research at PhD level, We are delighted that
building and exchange of done a wonderful job with
with online programmes the University Science,
publications and journals. funding of fellowships in
in Entrepreneurship and Humanities and Engineering
Some of the areas identified the humanities and social
Human Resource Capital. Partnerships in Africa
include agriculture, food sciences.
VF DEC 2012 3

6. VarsityFocus RESEARCH
State of the Tropics: Life shorter
in the tropics
A
world-wide initiative
to define the
challenges facing
the peoples of the tropics
was launched by 13 leading
research institutions across
12 countries. The group
released an early insight
of its planned State of the
Tropics Report with details
of why life expectancy is
lower in the region than in
the rest of the world.
The full report to be
published next year will
shed light on the critical
importance of the people on UoN among 13 institutions involved in the
issues of the tropical world,
and contribute to efforts
study of life in the tropics
to improve the lives of the
peoples of the Tropics and University and the Nanyang Technological University; Infant mortality in the
their environment. tropics fell from 161 deaths
• Organisation for Tropical Studies, Costa Rican hub;
The 13 institutions involved • University of Copenhagen, Denmark; per 1000 live births to
are: 58 over the same period.
• University of Hawaii – Manoa – USA;
• University of Nairobi, However in the rest of the
• University of Papua New Guinea; world it is 33 and the rate
Kenya;
• University of the South Pacific, Fiji; and, of improvement has been
• Escuela Superior
• Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Brazil. greater.
Politiécnica del Litorial,
Ecuador; According to Professor George Magoha, Vice Chancellor of As a general rule, regions
• James Cook University, the University of Nairobi, the facts and figures relating to life that have experienced large
Australia; expectancy in the Tropics show significant improvements over falls in the absolute infant
• Liverpool School of the past 60 years. But there is still a substantial gap between mortality rate also report
Tropical Medicine, the Tropics and the rest of the world. large improvements in life
England; expectancy.
The insight reveals that life expectancy in the Tropics has
• Mahidol University, increased by 22.8 years to 64.4 years between 1950 and 2010 “The exception is Central
Thailand; and the gap between the life expectancy of women and men & Southern Africa, where
• Singapore’s National has widened in favor of women over the same period. although infant mortality
4 VF DEC 2012

7. RESEARCH VarsityFocus
expectancy; Central and Southern Africa
extreme include:
poverty; poor
Madagascar reported the
educational
largest improvement in life
outcomes;
expectancy between 1950-
environmental
55 and 2005-10, increasing
degradation;
by 29.1 years to be 65.8
and, in some
years in 2005-10, with large
cases, political
reductions in both infant
and economic
and adult mortality rates.
instability. The
key objective Life expectancy in
of the project Zimbabwe declined by
is to enable two years over the period,
a better to be 46.6 years in 2005-
understanding 10. Zimbabwe was the
of the tropical only nation in the world
world, the key to record a decline in life
challenges of expectancy. In regional
the region as terms, Zimbabwe has a low
well as the infant mortality rate, but a
opportunities very high adult mortality
it provides. rate (it is the highest in the
world). In 2008 more than
Professor
half the deaths in Zimbabwe
Magoha said
were related to HIV/ AIDS
rates have fallen significantly, lives in the Tropics and this that in Africa, the reality
(again, the highest rate in
high mortality rates in the is likely to be close to 50 per was that there was still a
the world).
non-infant population, cent by 2050. The region considerable health ‘deficit’
largely related to HIV/ generates around 20 per relative to other regions of Of the ten nations with the
AIDS, have constrained cent of global economic the world.“Greater national lowest life expectancy in
overall improvements in output and is home to some and international efforts 2005-10, seven are in the
life expectancy,” Professor 80 per cent of the world’s are necessary to improve tropical region of Central &
Magoha said. biodiversity. However, the the health, living conditions Southern Africa.
resources to sustain larger and security of the tropical
Professor Sandra Harding, It is intended that the State
populations and economic African population,”
the Vice Chancellor of of the Tropics Report will be
growth are imposing ever-
Australia’s James Cook Life expectancy in Kenya published every five years
increasing pressures.
University which initiated has increased by 12.7 with a annual State of the
the State of the Tropics Issues of concern include years to 55.0, a modest Tropics paper focusing on a
project, said that over relatively poor health improvement relative to key issue.
the past half-century, the outcomes, with more than the region, where life
Tropics has emerged as an one billion people suffering expectancy increased by
increasingly critical region. from tropical diseases, 16.0 years to 52.8.
More than 40 percent of unacceptable levels of infant
Other findings relative to
the world’s population now mortality and reduced life
VF DEC 2012 5

8. VarsityFocus RESEARCH
surgery, general surgery,
gynecology, orthopedics,
general practice, theatre
nursing and other disciplines
at basic, intermediate and
advanced levels. The course
will be led by a faculty made
up of renowned local and
international experts.
Speaking during the
Launch ceremony, Ag
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Peter
Mbithi, said that the Centre
is a welcome addition to
enhancing medical practice
in Africa and is also a perfect
example of Industry/Public
cooperation. Prof. Mbithi
pledged the full support of
the University to ensure that
the Centre’s operations are
not derailed.
The launch of a regional The Chairman of
NSSC, Prof. J. O. Mulimba,
Surgical Skills Centre
thanked the University
of Nairobi, Johnson &
Johnson and Philips
Healthcare Technologies
A
new surgical skills ceremony presided over by skills amongst medical
centre has been the Acting Vice-Chancellor, practitioners in the Sub- The Centre will
established at the Prof. Peter Mbithi. Saharan Africa. Indeed,
University of Nairobi to offer recent studies indicate address the
Located at UON’s
training in the region. The
Chiromo Campus in the
that these countries have acute shortage
Nairobi Surgical Skills Centre less than one surgeon
(NSSC), a joint initiative
Department of Anatomy,
per 100,000 people,
of specialist
the state-of-the-art facility
between the University of
will impart practical surgical
which is below the WHO skills amongst
Nairobi, Johnson & Johnson
experience among health
recommendation of one medical
and Philips Healthcare surgeon per 5000 people.
Technologies, was officially
care professionals in Kenya practitioners
and Sub-Saharan Africa. NSSC will provide a
launched in November,
The Centre will address the wide range of skills in
in the Sub-
2012, at the University
acute shortage of specialist open and laparoscopic Saharan Africa.
of Nairobi, in a colourful
6 VF DEC 2012

9. ALUMNI VarsityFocus
for ensuring the successful
establishment of the UoN alumnus named ‘Hero
of Chemistry’
Centre, while Mr. Steve
Brockie, General Manager,
Johnson & Johnson, Sub-
Saharan Africa said that
D
the Centre is part of the r. George Njoroge, a scientific Award for Professional Achievement in
company’s commitment researcher based in Indiana, United Industry and the Thomas Alva Edison
to support professional States, was recently inducted into Patent Award for emerging therapies.
education in Sub-Saharan the coveted scientific ‘Hall of Fame’, when
Varsity Focus congratulates
Africa and that it will he was named the 2012 Hero of Chemistry,
Dr. Njoroge and his team on this
help advance the skills of by the American Chemical Society (ACS), the
achievement.
health care professionals world’s largest scientific society.
in the region. Besides
The honors come in the wake of
providing the physical
the discovery and development of the
facility, the partnership will
Hepatitis C drug Victrelis by Njoroge and
see the University acquire
a team of scientists working at the global
and prepare cadavers
pharmaceutical firm, Merck Research
and source local faculty.
Laboratories. The drug, which is the first oral
Johnson & Johnson will
Hepatitis C virus protease approved by the
provide equipment to
FDA, has been approved in 43 countries,
facilitate training, ensure
and is in the market in 23 of these countries.
availability of cadavers and
provide external staff. Njoroge, an alumnus of the University of
Nairobi, graduated with a first class honors
Also present during
in Organic Chemistry, and pursued further
the launch ceremony
studies graduating with a PhD in Organic
were: Mr. Mukesh Mehta,
Chemistry from Case Western Reserve
Group Managing Director,
University, Cleveland, Ohio in 1985. In
Phillips Pharma Group
1988, Njoroge joined the Schering-Plough
of Companies, Prof.
Corporation (SPRI), as a researcher and
Bernard Aduda, Principal,
focused on the design and synthesis of orally
College of Biological and
bio-available small molecules for treatment
Physical Sciences, Prof.
of viral diseases and cancer.
J.O. Mulimba, NSSC Board
Chairman, and Dr. Chris A prolific scholar, Njoroge has published
Samkange, President, extensively in professional journals on
College of Surgeons in East, synthetic organic chemistry and drug
Central and Southern Africa design. To his credit he has authored and
(COSECSA). Also present co-authored more than 120 scientific
were representatives from publications and been granted 78 US patents.
the Ministry of Medical Further, Njoroge is a recipient of numerous
Services and Kenyatta awards including the meritorious Emerald
National Hospital.
VF DEC 2012 7

10. VarsityFocus PROFILE
Meet the legendary Mathematics in 1966 at Allahabad, and
again in Physics at the same University
Mathematician in 1968, and graduated with a PhD
in Mathematics in 1971 from Benares
Hindu University. Pokhariyal was able
to submit his DS.c work from Nairobi
I
and he was examined and awarded the
t is a fine afternoon do you need from an organization?
degree from Benares University in 1988.
You must always in life show you
in November, with appreciation for an entity that does not A devote Hindu, Pokhariyal traces
birds chattering, ignore you, and this is what will make his humility and discipline to the
chirping, and your life so much more important. inspiration and support that his parents
students briskly Prof. Pokhariyal was born over
gave; his father was a popular advocate
moving along the sixty years ago in India; the former
and freedom fighter and indeed his
uncle and four brothers have followed
corridors. Inside Uttrra-Pradesh state, his family’s home
that line. He was tutored by Prof. R.
one tiny but cozy overlooked the Himalayan range, Uttra-
S. Mishra whom he describes as a
cubicle, Ganesh kand, his home town, is at the foot
heels of the Himalayas and is a religious
philosopher and scientist extraordinaire.
Prasad Pokhariyal pilgrimage state for Hindus. Again,
In Kenya he has continued to draw
is extolling on the the state also has an institution that
inspiration from Samuel Kinyanjui - his
landlord whom he says is a peaceful
virtues of discipline, trains Islamic philosophers at Devband.
man, he only comes to the house
commitment and Pokhariyal remembers his early life
when invited. He makes life easy.
hard work. growing up in the hills. “Life was tough,
we walked everywhere, that hard life
It is intriguing that, rising from the
G. P or Pokhariyal as he tells me, is
. line of law, Pokhariyal would chose
always gives you a humbling effect.
Professor of Applied Mathematics at the mathematics as a course of study.
The huge mountain always in front
University of Nairobi and unlike what Quickly, he assures me that his desire
reminds you, making you appreciate the
you expect from a don of surliness, to study mathematics stems from high
heavens and the creation of God, and
cold eyes and a perpetual, I have been school where he was a mathematics
the environment reminds you that you
misused bowed shoulder, Pokhariyal and physics scholar-the general theory
should never dare challenge the rules.
is a happy man. I am happy, I like the of relativity (Eistein theory) is actually
This was always a lesson in humility.
scholarly environment and the best based on logic “I tell my students
Pokhariyal studied Physics, that math’s is the most logical and
part of this is the fact that whatever
Chemistry and Mathematics for his the simplest discipline because it is self
suggestion or what I get to put across
B.sc degree at Allahabad University; verifying -you immediately know if you
is taken and implemented. What else
he pursued a master’s course in are going on the right track. You
8 VF DEC 2012

11. PROFILE VarsityFocus
do not need anybody to verify the path
for you”. According to Pokhariyal, maths
According to Pokhariyal, math’s matches with mythology; mans-energy
matches with mythology; mans-energy
relationship, is akin to the body and soul relationship, is akin to the body and soul
relationship and it matches mortal and
immortal. It is therefore important for
relationship and it matches mortal and
students of mathematics to realize that
the discipline streamlines your thought
immortal.
process to have logic and that is
transformed into your life and becomes
more or less in your habits. This makes
your life easy and smooth.
Pokhariyal has been living in Nairobi
and has worked for the University for
the last thirty eight years, and he has
never wavered from continuing to work
here “you do not live in a country for
38 years if you do not have mutual
liking and respect. My interactions
have been enjoyable indeed, when I
meet ordinary Kenyans and they
identify me as mwalimu at the
University, immediate affection
threads are sewn, this makes
life fantastically enriching
outside the University”
After graduating
with his master’s
degree, Prof
Pokhariyal taught
at Benares
Hindu
University.
The
tradition
at
VF DEC 2012 9

12. VarsityFocus PROFILE
city, the dazzle of
life complicates
and makes them
so emotional that
it will take time for
them to catch up.
Now given that
mathematics and
English were core
and they used to
be given in the two
year period of form
five/six, we now
have to prepare
them in the first
semester, but it
is not only the
system of 8/4/4,
there is perhaps a
Benares was that one could get a problem, with mathematic’s standards
Pokhariyal taught at KUC between
research position and still teach. What and moral aspects of teachers globally,
1974 and 1979, he started teaching at
drew him to Benares however was that teachers seem to lack dedication, they
UON proper in 1976, at the time for
his supervisor, Prof. Mishra, shifted to have not made the effort to teach
the Faculty of Engineering, where he
Benares. “When he approached Mishra mathematics and in the spirit of taking
taught the geometry course. In 1978,
to supervise him for his PhD, destiny shortcuts inculcate a spirit of hatred for
he was offered a full time position at
matched so much with what his father, the discipline. I do not see any reason
Chiromo and finally joined the UON
who had studied at Benares wanted why girls and boys cannot do well in
on 1st April 1979. “When I joined the
me for me. My father was very happy math’s and physics. I know that in high
University, remuneration was okay; our
with me. He had been given an offer school, teachers tell girls that math’s
students were so good that we were
to join the philosophy department, but and physics are not for them.
proud to be associated with them. I
opted to look after family property.
believe that the same holds today, that The conversation is heating up,
Pokhariyal taught at Benares in any part of the world our students and Prof. Pokhariyal gives me what is a
between 1968 and 1970 and was would do well. If we are mean enough new thread, that training of teachers is
enlisted on a post doctoral research to give them a B+, they get A+ at not adequate in terms of the teaching
position, where he also helped junior Harvard and Stanford. Again when I methodology and the subject content.
research fellows. In 1970, he saw an joined we had fairly good interaction “Mathematics should be approached
advert in the “Nature magazine. “I with global academic institutions with its possible applications shown to
simply applied and was offered a job in through external examination, staff was the students, for instance, mathematics
the University. I was born in a big state fairly international. has a fantastic application in every
‘Utter Pradesh, and was supposed to discipline, once this is injected in every
So tell me, I ask, where did the
join politics by consensus of the people. students mind, that hatred will go
rain hit us? Frankly, a misnomer
But my father persuaded me and the down. We should capture students
was introduced with the shift to
community to allow me to first earn at the catchment level at high school.
8/44. The challenge introduced is
and utilize my professional capacity. I At the School of Mathematics, there
that the fresher’s were not prepared
guess if I was still in India, and given is an out-reach progromme that
mentally and academically to take up
the turmoil in Utter Pradesh, I would be goes to schools to demonstrate. One
independent study. The lights in the
in jail.” methodology for teaching that works
10 VF DEC 2012

13. PROFILE VarsityFocus
entrepreneur and has a sharp maths
education can be successful in their
venture, they immediately see the
consequence of numbers, margin of
profit, appraisal of investment risks and
probability”.
Pokhariyal is married to Mohini and
she has played a big role in his life. To
be honest, I don’t worry how my house
is arranged. She arranges my clothes
daily. Her management leaves me
with enough time to interact between
my students and colleagues. Mohini
actually pushes me, she remembers
my diary and allows me to work.
We have two children; the elder son
Shuvranshi did electrical engineering at
the University of Nairobi and works for
well is group study. Methodology question on the tip of my tongue, Intel. Our second son Devesh, studied
should boost morale, upraise uptake, what openings exist for someone aerospace engineering in Arizona, he
design strategy that the weakest of who has done mathematics, is biting. has a master’s degree in aerospace
student’s can understand and pass. “You see, says Pokhariyal, in the late engineering, and an MBA from Thunder
1970, Price Water house etc.” became world. He is a fairly top manager at
Kenya is not doing badly on the Rockwell Collins, the company that
convinced that BSc mathematics
world map of maths. Prof Pokhariyal develops stimulators for defense and
graduates are trainable for economics,
observes that our students are civilian use in Virginia, USA. My children
business, accounting, economics etc.
comparable to any other in the world. are Kenyan and are fluent Kiswahili
The mathematics branch of actuarial
The degree of the UON is globally speakers and were raised as Kenyan.
sciences has drawn students and gets
recognised, for instance when my son
them jobs in the insurance sector. Pokhariyal is very athletic, tall, at
wanted to apply for a green card, they
Industrial maths is designed to suit the 5.11, he is not stooped. He does 45
asked for his course outline in electrical
needs of the sector with mathematics minutes of yoga and exercises every
engineering, and they scrutinized the
tools, while biometry is designed morning. He has played soccer in high
outline and pronounced it globally
to train researchers in the area of school and at university, tennis and
competitive. International exposure,
biomedical and medicine research. chess.
initiatives in teaching, seminars,
Indeed, social statistics at master’s level
conferences for enhancing PhD’s and Pokhariyal observes that if by Gods
is for any discipline, it is essential in
publication can also assist the University grace, he has breath to give and the
research and health disciplines where
to regain its old glory. The interaction University wants him to continue he
data is being analysed. Some of the top
with international experts and the will do so, mentoring, and supervising.
employees of mathematics students are
global community is imperative. He has cleared 5 students to graduate
Kenya Bureau of Statistics, Central Bank,
The tradition at the University Ministry of Finance, Kenya Airways and with PhD, next year he may have 6/7
of Nairobi is one of: identify good those requiring operations research PhD students. “ I believe that if you
students; nurturing them is a tried specializations. devote all your effort to train and
tradition that cements relationships. improve the quality of the children of
“I tell students that one of the the nation, then the almighty takes care
This is the tradition set by the late
most important aspects of maths is of yours”.
Morris Alala, George Saitoti, etc. The
that anyone who wants to be an
VF DEC 2012 11

14. VarsityFocus LINKS
Chinese to help build Centre for
Seismological Training and Research
P
lans are underway
for the establishment
of a Centre for
Seismological Training and
Research in East Africa, to
be based at the College
of Biological and Physical
Sciences (CBPS), and
supported by the Chinese
Earthquake Administration.
This was first revealed
during a courtesy call
by a delegation from
the Chinese Earthquake
Administration on the Vice
Chancellor, represented by
The leader of the Chinese delegation, Mr. Chen Jianmin, Dr. Gladys Kianji and Prof. Isaac Mbeche.
Prof Isaac Mbeche, Deputy
Vice Chancellor, Student international and local the development of a This link will also create
Affairs, in September, postgraduate students in comprehensive proposal will greater understanding
2012. During the courtesy order to increase the human be critical for broadening between the peoples of
call, a memorandum of resource base in earthquake the area of research, training both countries and broaden
understanding was signed mitigation technology and and student sponsorship and deepen cooperation in
and equipment, books and research. under the present MOU. other fields. The University,
USD 10,000 donated to the Further, he noted that on its part, will adhere to
During the courtesy
Department of Geology. the Chinese Earth quake the commitments outlined
call, it was revealed
According to Prof Administration attaches in the MOU and their
that exchange of staff
Barongo, of the Eastern great interest to links implementation.
and joint research to
African Working Group, the with the department of
enhance knowledge and Those present during the
Centre will have a powerful geology in order to share
research uptake will be courtesy call included Prof
laboratory, equipped expertise, professionalism
critical. The leader of the Bernard Aduda, Principal
with hard ware and other and common experiences
Chinese delegation, Mr. CBPS, Dr Gladys Kianji of
tools including a broad and solutions to problems.
Chen Jianmin, noted that the East and South African
band seismic unit. The Seismological Working
Centre will be the base for Group, Deputy Director
expanding the four seismic
During the courtesy call, a memorandum
CIPL, Prof Seth Mcligeyo and
stations running in Kenya
of understanding was signed and
other academic staff from
and will also serve to train
equipment, books and USD 10,000
CBPS.
donated to the Department of Geology.
12 VF DEC 2012

15. AWARD VarsityFocus
dentist. Prof. Kaimenyi has served in
different leadership roles in various
professional bodies including the
Kenya Dental Association, the East
and Southern Africa Section of the
International Association for Dental
Research and the Commonwealth
Dental Association.
Prof. Kaimenyi thanked PFA for the
honour and his family and friends for
supporting him. He said that he was
committed to be in the category of
people who have prepared to live to
the letter and spirit of the Award and
the Academy. He called on professional
colleagues to work towards the greater
good of the community.
Dr. Pankaj Patel, Chairman, PFA
Among those who witnessed
Kenya, Prof. J.T. Kaimenyi and Prof.
P
George Magoha, Vice Chancellor UoN. rof. Jacob Kaimenyi, Deputy the auspicious moment was Prof.
Vice Chancellor (DVC), Academic Kaimenyi’s wife, Stella and their
Affairs, was recently awarded daughter, Ann, Prof. Isaac Mbeche,
the Honorary Fellowship of the Pierre DVC, Student Affairs, Prof. Lucy
Fauchard Award (PFA) in a colourful Irungu, DVC, Research, Production
and Extension, Prof. Isaac Kibwage,
Prof.
ceremony held in the Vice Chancellor’s
Committee Room. Principal, College of Health Sciences
and Prof. Enos Njeru, Principal,
Kaimenyi
The award, which was formally College of Humanities and Social
presented by Dr. Pankaj Patel, Sciences. Representatives from the
Chairman, PFA Kenya, is given to Kenya Dental Association, Ministry of
awarded individuals who have made a valuable
contribution to the advancement of
Medical Services and the Association
of Professional Societies in East Africa
Honorary
the art and science of dentistry. Prof. were also present.
Everlyne Wagaiyu, Dean, School of
Dental Sciences and a PFA Fellow, read PFA has also awarded scholarships to
Fellowship
the pledge and administered the oath three UoN dental students to assist
to Prof. Kaimenyi. the young Kenyans to access university
education in dental sciences.
Speaking during the function, Prof.
George Magoha, the Vice-Chancellor, Varsity Focus congratulates Prof.
congratulated Prof. Kaimenyi for the Kaimenyi and wishes him success as
achievement and described his deputy he strives to maintain and sustain his
as an outstanding and committed contributions to dentistry.
VF DEC 2012 13

16. VarsityFocus COLLABORATION
UON and Wits increase collaboration
During the unique
meeting, Information and
Communication Technology,
mining, financial education
Wits and staff exchange were
University, identified as some of the
Director thematic areas for potential
of Special collaboration.
Projects, Oliver
Seale, Prof. Present during the meeting
Loyiso G. were : Prof. Lucy Irungu,
Nongxa and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor,
Prof. George Research, Production and
Magoha, Vice Extension, Prof. Peter Mbithi,
Chancellor Deputy Vice-Chancellor,
UoN. Administration and
Finance, Prof. Prof. Simeon
T
he University of revealed during a meeting Magoha acknowledged the Mitema, Director, Centre for
Nairobi (UoN) and between Prof. George importance of developing International Programmes
the University of Magoha, Vice Chancellor, training programmes that and Links (CIPL), Dr. Jamen
Witwatersrand (Wits) UoN and Prof. Loyiso G. will contribute to the Were, Director, School
will soon expand the Nongxa, in November 2012. nation’s sustainable growth. of Mathematics, among
scope of the existing He said that the University others. Prof. Nongxa
Prof. Nongxa said that
collaboration between has a long way to go was accompanied by the
African universities need to
the two institutions, especially in research and Director of Special Projects,
engage and participate in
which includes research, development. Oliver Seale.
developmental discussions
teaching and community
on Africa, rather than, sitting African universities need to engage and
engagement, public health,
back as Ivory Towers.
engineering, social sciences participate in developmental discussions on
and paleontology. This was In his remarks, Prof. Africa
Lanzhou University delegation visits UoN
A
s part of the familiarization steps Presiding over a meeting on behalf with the LZU team in various areas
towards the realization of the of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac including dry land agriculture and new
objectives of the memorandum Mbeche, Deputy Vice Chancellor, agricultural technologies.
of understanding (MOU) recently Student Affairs, welcomed the move
In attendance was Prof. Jacob
signed between the University of saying that UoN’s strategic plan is clear
Kaimenyi, Deputy Vice Chancellor,
Nairobi (UoN) and Lanzhou University on partnerships and linkages. He said
Academic Affairs, Prof. Agnes
(LZU), China, a delegation from LZU that through such arrangements, both
Mwang’ombe, Principal, CAVS, Prof.
visited UoN in October, 2012, to firm institutions will benefit especially from
Solomon Shibairo, Dean, Faculty of
up on the collaboration in agriculture each other’s areas of expertise.
Agriculture, Prof. Simeon Mitema,
related projects especially in research,
The College of Agriculture and Director, Centre for International
students and staff exchange and
Veterinary Sciences (CAVS) is working Programmes and Links, among others.
training.
14 VF DEC 2012

17. COMMUNITY SERVICE VarsityFocus
Psychology
Students Volunteer
to teach in slums
F
ollowing the clarion What the club members
call by His Excellency anticipated was that they
the President Hon will only teach the pupils
Mwai Kibaki for free how to read and write.
primary education , many That was not to be so,
children joined the schools these young children had
nearest their residence. psychosocial issues that
These children were mostly required resolution. Pupils
drawn from lowly homes; from classes 5,6,7and 8 had
employed as house helps, different reasons as to why Some of the pupils tutored by members of the Psychology
from single parent headed they were in school. Their Club.
household, HIV/AIDS reasons reflected their family
infected and affected and challenges. Some came to
from dysfunctional families. school for the free meal
offered by the Word Food
The Psychology Club of
Programme at lunch break,
the University of Nairobi
others enjoy escape from
contacted the Kusoma
sexual harassment or to at
Tu Foundation based at
least sleep in class, free from
Kawangware Primary School
brutality at home and other
to volunteer as teachers
child abuse related issues.
in a reading intervention.
This was taken positively The members found
by the Club members who that they have to offer Undaunted by the challenges of tutoring in slum
commute to the school counseling and guidance to conditions, members of the Club arrive for the afternoon
during their free time. The groups and to individuals session.
chairman organized them as they have different
into groups of five to ten psychological and social
performance. The most but has a limited staff due to
students to attend on issues. With the help of the
important service that they the location of the school in
different days of the week. Department of Psychology
offer now is counseling a high risk area.
They meet their travelling and the University of Nairobi
services to the pupils and
expenses because the fraternity, the Club will raise The Club is seeking how
their parent(s) to lift their self
Foundation is nonprofit funds in order to carry out a best the child can be
esteem and help them cope
making. Run by a retired more detailed research that protected and saved from
with daily life challenges.
teacher from the United will reveal the cause and drug addiction and abuse
The school has 1400 pupils
Kingdom. effects of poor education by others.
VF DEC 2012 15

18. VarsityFocus COLLABORATION
UoN and Reading discuss on collaboration
meeting presided over by at the same time jointly
Prof. Isaac Mbeche, Deputy source for funds with their
Vice Chancellor, Student collaborators in order to
Affairs, in October 2012, promote research activities,
where different areas of institutional capacity
collaboration were identified building and exchange of
and discussed. publications and journals.
According to Prof. Among some of the
Steven Mithen, the Pro Vice areas identified include
Chancellor of the University agriculture, food security,
of Reading, the partnership engineering, architecture,
between UoN and Reading economics, and the arts,
T
he University of will benefit from demand with possibilities for
Prof. Steven Mithen, the
Pro Vice Chancellor of Nairobi (UoN) has driven programmes that teaching and research
the University of Reading entered into talks meet the international collaboration and exchange
and Prof. Isaac Mbeche, on collaboration with the market requirements. programmes. Detailed
Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Reading. This discussions on partnerships
Student Affairs. While welcoming the
was revealed during a and collaborations will
initiative, Prof. Mbeche
follow.
said that programmes and
“The partnership between UoN and reading linkages provide avenues The Reading delegation
will benefit from demand driven programmes through which academic was on a one week visit of
that meet the international market” members of staff and various institutions of higher
students can further their learning in Africa, in a bid to
requirements. research activities and identify new opportunities.
School of Business to launch on-line courses
T
he School of Business after the two schools Nzuve, the new method and convenient to all.
(SOB) will launch two signed a memorandum of of delivery will increase
Chairing the meeting,
online postgraduate understanding to share admission of students to
Prof. Isaac Mbeche,
programmes through the academic resources and the School and accord
Deputy Vice-Chancellor,
support from Switzerland develop online programmes many prospective students
Student Affairs, welcomed
Management Centre (SMC). at SOB. a chance to continue with
the initiative by the two
their education devoid
The programmes The SOB will tap into schools and emphasized
of barriers of distance
to be offered are the SMC expertise in developing the importance of
and physical attendance
doctorate and masters and running relevant online collaborations, linkages
requirements. By offering
in Entrepreneurship and programmes. According and partnerships in
on-line courses, the School
Human Resource Capital. to the Dean, School of developing capacities in
will make the much needed
This initiative will be possible Business, Mr. Stephen modern institutions. He
higher education accessible
16 VF DEC 2012

19. COLLABORATION VarsityFocus
School of Journalism enters into talks
with China Communication University
T
he School of Journalism delegation, Prof. Liu Jinan,
and Mass Communication invited UoN to participate in the
recently entered into setting up of the African Media
deliberations with a delegation Centre at the Communication
from the Communication University University of China, noting that
of China, to explore possibilities it would present stakeholders
of collaboration in the field of with a chance to create mutual
communication, research and understanding in development
staff and student exchange. The projects.
collaboration will also focus on
Present during the meeting
projects aimed at promoting women
was Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi, Deputy
in communication.
Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs,
Speaking during the visit, Prof. Enos Njeru, Principal,
Prof. Isaac Mbeche, Deputy Vice College of Humanities and
Chancellor, Student Affairs, noted Social Sciences, Dr. Wambui Kiai,
that the University of Nairobi Director, School of Journalism and
recognizes that education with an Mass Communication, and Prof.
international character is necessary Simeon Mitema, Director, Centre
to equip students with knowledge for International Programmes and
Prof. Liu Jinan and Prof. Isaac Mbeche,
and skills to survive and grow, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs. Linkages.
in a competitive labour market.
The team leader of the Chinese
challenged the stakeholders to Gerald Schwaiger, the Business
share experiences and resources Development Manager, SMC.
to benefit both parties and also
This development will support
grow beyond the School of
the ongoing e-learning efforts
Business.
by the University through the
Speaking on behalf of SMC Centre for Open and Distance
University, the Deputy Vice- Learning and the e- Learning
Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Centre. In attendance was Prof.
Ted Sun said the students will be Jacob Kaimenyi, the Deputy Vice-
elevated to a world class level Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof.
through the quality of on-line Enos Njeru, Principal, College of
education offered, developing Humanities and Social Sciences
appropriate programmes and Prof. Simeon Mitema, Director,
and focusing on research. Centre for International Programmes
Students research through WIFI facilities
He was accompanied by Dr. and Links (CIPL). availed at the campus.
VF DEC 2012 17

20. VarsityFocus DISCOURSE
Ford Foundation to fund renovation of
Taifa Hall
T
he University of
Nairobi (UoN) has
been awarded a grant
of $ 500,000 to renovate
and modernize the Taifa
Hall.
This was revealed during
a public lecture by Ford
Foundation President Luis
A. Ubiñas held at UoN last
month. The well attended
public lecture was part
of the Foundation’s 50th
anniversary in Eastern
Africa celebrations and it
is befitting that it was held
in Taifa Hall, famous as a
place of rich history with
intellectual debates dating
back to close to 40 years Ford Foundation President Luis Ubiñas with Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George Magoha.
ago.In introductory remarks,
Prof. George Magoha their rightful role as leaders was given. In total, Ford on rethinking social
officially welcomed the rather than being used as Foundation has supported movements, and student
guests and audience to the pawns by politicians. He the University in various voices in governance
University and challenged urged Kenyans to embrace activities to the tune of of higher education
the guest speaker to speak the “I can make it” spirit USD 5 million. Among such institutions.
freely to the attentive which calls for people to be activities include supporting
The interaction which
audience. active in choosing all their the School of Journalism
was aired live on Citizen
leaders. This echoes a call and Mass Communication
While reflecting TV was moderated by Julie
being made in all gatherings to hold conferences,
on the five decades of Gichuru of Royal Media
asking the educated to take and build capacity as a
progress, opportunities Services. Also present
charge of how they will be centre of excellence in
and challenges in Eastern was Chief Justice Dr. Willy
governed. communication, media
Africa, President Ubiñas Mutunga, Ford Foundation
training and practices. It
commended Kenya for the The partnership Representative for Eastern
has also supported the
great strides the country has between the Foundation Africa, Maurice Makoloo and
Institute for Development
made since independence. and the UoN dates back to top University of Nairobi
Studies to conduct research
He said that every Kenyan, 1962 when the first grant Management.
young or old has a special
responsibility to make this
The partnership between the foundation and the UoN dates
country better and called back to 1962 when the first grant was given.
upon the youth to take
18 VF DEC 2012

21. DISCOURSE VarsityFocus
World Students Summit for Sustainability 2012
kicks off at UoN
T
he Taifa Hall was once requires governments to
again the preferred promote the formulation
choice of venue and implementation
for the official opening of strategies, policies
ceremony of the World and programs for
Students Summit for the advancement of
Sustainability 2012. The inclusive and sustained
five-day Summit which economic development
had been organized through human resource
by the World Student development and
Community for Sustainable technological innovation.
Development (WSCSD) In this sense, education,
Hon. James Orengo, Minister for Lands and Hon. Chirau Mwakwere,
in partnership with the training and research are Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources arrive for the opening
University of Nairobi (UoN) key drivers of a Green session of the World Youth Forum for Sustainability.
and UNEP’s Environmental Economy.”
economy and sustainable entrepreneurship was
Education and Training Unit
The summit focussed development. held on the last day of the
(EETU) was the first annual
on developing a common summit.
WSCSD summit to be held According to Nickson
understanding of a
in Africa. The theme of the Otieno, President, Speaking on behalf of
green economy and
summit was “Student's WSCSD, the aim of the the Vice Chancellor, Prof.
how youth energy,
leadership and innovation summit was to build the Jacob Kaimenyi, Deputy
action and innovation
towards a green economy." students’ understanding Vice Chancellor- Academic
could be harnessed for
and enhance their actions Affairs congratulated the
Opening the forum an enhanced impact in
towards achieving a green students for dedicating their
on behalf of the Prime sustainable development.
economy and to enhance time and energy on looking
Minister, Hon, James The summit topics were
understanding of the green for solutions directed
Orengo, Minister for energy, waste, water, food
economy concept and towards environmental
Lands congratulated and transport. Apart from
increase action towards sustainability.
students for hosting the keynote speeches, poster
green entrepreneurship
forum and noted that “the presentations and group In attendance was
by providing a platform
transition to a Green discussions, practical Hon. Amb. Chirau Ali
for student-student and
Economy activities were incorporated Makwere, Minister for
student-professional
into the summit to Environment and Mineral
interactions.
ultimately, foster the Resources, Prof. Isaac
formation of partnerships The students also Mbeche, Deputy Vice-
for collaborative efforts got an opportunity to Chancellor, Student Affairs
towards a green share and document their and Ibrahim Thiaw, Director,
sustainability initiatives Division of Environmental
in their various countries Policy Implementation,
while laying a foundation UNEP are among those who
for a green economy. A were present.
special workshop on green
Nickson Otieno, President, WSCSD, delivers his speech
VF DEC 2012 19

22. VarsityFocus CSR
Needy students to benefit
from Rattansi bursaries
The Rattansi Educational Trust recently donated Kshs
12,466,890.00 to support needy students in local
institutions of higher learning.
T
he University of Nairobi was the main
beneficiary getting over Kshs 2.3 million to
support needy students. The donations were
made by the Trust’s Chairperson, Mrs Vijoo
Rattansi in a function at the University of
Nairobi, attended by representatives
of public and private institutions of
higher learning.
Speaking during the disbursement ceremony,
Mrs Rattansi pledged that the Trust will continue
supporting higher education in the country by
financing the needy students. In what is an annual
event, , many institutions of higher learning
in Kenya , have over the last 56 years received
bursaries to support needy students from the
Rattansi Educational Trust. The
Trust has been contributing
The trust to the development of the
country through investing in
has been young people and eradicating
contributing to poverty by funding the
the development education of needy students.
of the country Speaking on behalf of the
through University of Nairobi, the
investing in Vice Chancellor, Prof. George
young people Magoha, thanked Mrs
and eradicating Rattansi for the support she
poverty by has been extending to higher
learning institutions over
funding the
the years and challenged
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George Magoha receives a cheque of 2.3M
education of other Kenyans to emulate her
from Mrs Vijoo Rattansi to support needy students. needy students. example.
20 VF DEC 2012