Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology on Thursday December 7, 2023 convened an external stakeholders’ forum to review and provide input into the draft strategic plan covering 2023-2027 period. Representatives of the community, research institutions, suppliers, trade unions, alumni, parents, industry, government and development partners attended the meeting.

Chairman, Kiambu County Coordinated Stakeholders Association, Kimani Kangethe commended the University for coming up with the Strategic Plan; noting that it will be key in reforming the operations of JKUAT. The blueprint, he added, provides good benchmarks for sustainable and strategic collaborations with the host community.

Kangethe further lauded JKUAT for spearheading development of Juja town with regards to housing which has seen investments to provide accommodation to staff and students in the last seven years.

Patricia Wambugu from Kiambu County government noted that JKUAT continues to play an important development role in the devolved by transforming Juja into a business hub. Because of the University, Patricia said that Juja sub-county is now the best performing sub-county in Kiambu.

African Institute for Capacity Development Executive Director, Prof. Dominic Byarugaba, said community occupies a central place in the effective implementation of a university. He challenged JKUAT to open its doors to the community for continued engagement and impact.

Prof Ngumi (left) and DVC Academic Affairs Prof. Robert Kinyua engages Patricia Wambugu (right) during the forum

According to Chege Thuku who is a Juja community thought leader, the community and population around Juja are resources that can be tapped by JKUAT to advance its training, research and technology transfer objectives.

Welcoming the participants, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi noted that strategic planning had become part of JKUAT’s operations as a way of ensuring effective delivery of its mandate, efficient and sustainable use of resources as well as compliance with the set regulations governing operations of state institutions.

“We are very deliberate about our efforts to mainstream your views because you are the very stakeholders that will help JKUAT to achieve its mission and vision,” the Vice Chancellor told the participants.

Reinforcing the critical role that stakeholders play in the life of JKUAT, Prof. Ngumi nudged the participants to learn about and utilize the different training, research, innovation and community outreach programmes, activities and products offered by JKUAT.

The draft JKUAT Strategic Plan has six key results areas namely Policy, Leadership and Governance; Market-Driven Training; Research, Innovation and Extension; Administration and Operational Services; Financial Management; and Resource Mobilization.

The Plan was developed in conformity with the revised guidelines issued by the State Department for Economic Planning in June 2023.

Stakeholders attending the strategic plan validation workshop at SAJOREC