University Of Nairobi UoNBI History -

University Of Nairobi (uonbi) History

University Of Nairobi UoNBI History – Details:

As an institution of higher learning, the University of Nairobi has contributed greatly to the development of Kenya. The university, in turn, has benefited much from its location, in the country’s capital, Nairobi, as well as, from the efforts of the nation’s diverse population. Below are some highlights of the University development, as well as, factual information on its setting.

The University of Nairobi owes its origin to several developments in higher education within the country and the region. The idea of an institution for higher learning in Kenya goes back to 1947 when the Kenya Government drew up a plan for the establishment of a technical and commercial institute in Nairobi. By 1949, this plan had grown into an East African concept aimed at providing higher technical education for the region. In September 1951, a Royal Charter was issued to the Royal Technical College of East Africa and the foundation stone of the college was laid in April 1952.

During the same period, the Asian Community of East Africa was also planning to build a College for Arts, Science and Commerce as a living memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. To avoid duplication of efforts, Gandhi Memorial Academy Society agreed to merge interests with those of the East African Governments. Thus, the Gandhi Memorial Academy was incorporated into the Royal Technical College of East Africa in April 1954, and the college proceeded to open its doors to the first intake of students in April 1956.

Soon after the arrival of students at the college, the pattern of higher education in East Africa came under scrutiny. Through the recommendation of a working party formed in 1958, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, Sir John Lockwood, the Royal Technical College of East Africa was transformed. On 25th June 1961, the College became the second University College in East Africa, under the name “Royal College Nairobi.”

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The Royal College Nairobi was renamed “University College, Nairobi” on 20th May 1964. On the attainment of “University College” status, the institution prepared students for bachelor’s degrees awarded by the University of London, while also continuing to offer college diploma programmes. The University College Nairobi provided educational opportunities in this capacity until 1966 when it began preparing students exclusively for degrees of the University of East Africa, with the exception of the Department of Domestic Science.

With effect from 1 st July 1970, the University of East Africa was dissolved and the three East African countries set up their national Universities. This development saw the birth of the University of Nairobi set up by an Act of Parliament.

Since 1970, the University of Nairobi has seen many innovations, which have contributed to its development and that of the nation. It has grown from a faculty based university serving a student population of 2,768 to a college focused university serving over 36,000 currently. To attain this level of educational progress has been no small feat. Recent years have witnessed the following:

Mushrooming of academic programmes in the 1970s;
Establishment of Campus Colleges in 1985:
First double intake in 1986;
Property acquisition resulting in Lower Kabete and Parklands Campuses in 1988; and the
Intake of the first students undertaking the University component of the 8-4-4 educational system in 1990
Introduction of Module II and part-time programmes.

Truly, the University’s development has been as broad as its current wide scope. These developments have realised a tremendous increase in student intake. From a humble beginning as a technical college to the status of a major international teaching and research institution, the University of Nairobi has produced more trained human resources than any other’ institution of higher learning in Kenya, with over 40,000 graduates to its credit.

University Of Nairobi (uonbi) History

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