Chuka University held a ceremony to inaugurate the newly elected governing and council congress on Monday, February 5, 2024. The event was led by the Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Henry Mutembei, who administered the oath of office to the new student leaders at the university's pavilion ground.
Among those sworn in include Evans Muchanga as the council chairman, Jebet Faith Korir as the council vice chairperson, James Kariuki as the council secretary general, Novel Ooko as the director academics, Kiplangat Kevin as the director student welfare, Linet koki as the organising secretary and Kirwa Enock as the council treasurer. The Congress, representing different faculties and campuses, also took their oath of allegiance.
In his speech, the VC congratulated the new student council for their victory in the elections and urged them to work together with the administration and the students to enhance the academic and social welfare of the university. He also commended the outgoing council for their exemplary service and achievements during their tenure.
He added that the university was committed to supporting the student council in fulfilling their mandate and addressing the challenges facing the student community. He mentioned some of the issues that the university was working on, such as the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) disbursement, the security situation in the region, and the implementation of the new curriculum.
The VC raised concerns over the gender imbalance in the new student council, noting that only two out of the 7 elected G7 leaders were female. He said that this was a violation of the gender equality rule that requires at least one-third representation of either gender in any elective body. He urged the student council to rectify this anomaly in the next elections but insisted that the few female members of the council and the Congress must be present in major activities of CUSA and even when meeting him, insisting he will not entertain a meeting with no female involved.
The VC cautioned students against engaging in any unlawful or disruptive activities that could jeopardize the peace and stability of the university. He said that the university had a zero-tolerance policy on violence, vandalism, drug abuse, and exam malpractice,
"You people should know that we have put cameras in those exam rooms. If you try to use your phone we will come for you and simply tell you Chuka University is not a place for you. We want our degrees to be valid" .
He warned that any student found culpable of such offences would face disciplinary action, including expulsion.
The new council chairman, Evans Muchanga, in his rather short and precise speech, thanked the VC and the administration for their support and cooperation. He also thanked the students for entrusting him and his team with the leadership of the student council, ignoring the ethnic card and divisive politics. He promised to work diligently and transparently to serve the interests of the students and the university at large, insisting that his leadership will be student centerd, through servant hood.
He said that his priority areas would include improving the quality of education, enhancing student welfare, promoting student participation by organising forums and debates to market the institution, and fostering unity and diversity among the students. He said that he would consult and collaborate with the other student leaders, the administration, and the stakeholders to achieve these goals.
He appealed to the students to support the new student council and to participate actively in the affairs of the university. He said that the student council was open to suggestions, feedback, and criticism from the students and that he would hold regular meetings and forums to listen to their views and concerns.
He concluded by urging the students to uphold the values and vision of the university and to strive for excellence in their academic and co-curricular pursuits.
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