Higher Education and Research Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala is now calling on both public and private universities to formulate alternative sponsorship deals for funding.
Speaking on Tuesday during the launch of an Informatics and Computing laboratory at the Taita Taveta University in Taita Taveta County, PS Inyangala said alternative sources of funding will ensure universities do not depend entirely on government sponsorship.
“It is high time that universities and colleges come up with alternative sponsorship programs instead of waiting for government disbursements,” said Inyangala.
She also called on universities and colleges to invest in various professions to uplift education standards.
On his part, Taita Taveta Vice-Chancellor Professor Simiyu Barasa lauded the launch of the research laboratory at the university.
He said the move will strengthen the teaching of science-oriented subjects including engineering and technology.
“This cutting-edge lab is set to revolutionize the learning experience for students, providing them with the tools and skills needed to excel in the digital age. With a focus on empowering the next generation of tech leaders, this new facility will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the future of Informatics and Computing Laboratory education in the region,” he said.
The completion of the laboratory has been made possible through the partnership of the institute with a Chinese university.
“As an institution, we are however grappling with insufficient staffing. I ask the government to intervene,” the VC pointed out.