Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi (UoN), Professor Margaret Hutchinson, has called for calm and unity amidst growing concerns over the university’s future, assuring stakeholders that the institution remains resilient and focused on its transformation agenda.
In a heartfelt address, Prof Hutchinson dismissed claims that UoN was in decline, affirming its continued commitment to becoming a globally competitive university. “Despite the ongoing challenges, we remain robust, focused, and resilient,” she stated, urging the university community to ignore distractions and unite around a shared vision for institutional excellence.
Prof Hutchinson outlined a five-point transformation strategy to reposition UoN as a regional and global academic leader. This includes the rollout of cutting-edge academic programmes such as the establishment of the Nairobi School of AI, which aims to place UoN at the forefront of artificial intelligence research and education.
She also highlighted plans to strengthen research by setting up a regional Institute for Advanced Health Research to drive health innovations and partnerships. Additionally, fostering industry collaborations is a key priority, with a focus on translating research into practical solutions and spurring innovation.
Digitisation is another major pillar of her strategy, intended to streamline operations and enhance service delivery. Prof Hutchinson also underscored the importance of stakeholder engagement to address issues around governance, funding, and legal frameworks to ensure the university’s long-term sustainability.
“These five pillars are not just theoretical aspirations; they are practical, actionable steps that we are actively pursuing,” she noted, reaffirming her commitment to steering UoN through its transformation journey.
Her address comes in the wake of leadership controversies, including the withdrawal of Prof Bitange Ndemo from the VC race over procedural concerns. Despite these challenges, the university council maintains that due process was followed, with support from the Public Service Commission.
Prof Hutchinson concluded with a rallying call to the university community: “This is a time to come together, to remain steady, and to work collectively towards a future that reflects the greatness and potential of the University of Nairobi.”
