Accreditation report

Abstract

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology is situated in Juja, 36 kilometres North East of Nairobi, along Nairobi-Thika Highway. It was started in 1981 as a Middle Level College (Jomo Kenyatta College of Agriculture and Technology (JKCAT)) by the Government of Kenya with the generous assistance from the Japanese Government. Plans for the establishment of JKCAT started in 1977. In early 1978, the founding father of the nation, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta donated two hundred hectares of farmland for the establishment of the college. The first group of students were admitted on 4th May 1981. H.E. Daniel Arap Moi formally opened JKCAT on 17th March 1982. The first graduation ceremony was held in April 1984 with Diploma Certificates presented to graduates in Agricultural Engineering, Food Technology and Horticulture. On 1st September 1988, H.E. Daniel Arap Moi, declared JKCAT a constituent College of Kenyatta University through a legal Notice, under the Kenyatta University Act (CAP 210C). The name of JKCAT officially changed to Jomo Kenyatta University College of Agriculture and Technology (JKUCAT). It was finally established as a University through the JKUAT Act, 1994 and inaugurated on 7th December 1994.

The Universities Act No.42 of 2012 Act repealed all the seven Public Universities Acts including the JKUAT Act. Accordingly, all Public Universities existing before the commencement of the Universities Act No.42 of 2012 were required to take steps prescribed under this Act (section 13 (1), including the an institutional audit, to obtain a Charter in accordance to section 72 (1). The purpose of the audit was to verify if JKUAT had met the expected requirements for the award of Charter.

The Commission then established a panel of professionals to study the JKUAT’s Self-Assessment Report and use it as a basis for carrying out institutional audit (verification of the physical facilities and academic resources) at JKUAT, and thereafter to develop and submit a report and recommendations for CUE’s consideration and adoption.

The Commission for University Education audited JKUAT in February 2013 and was satisfied that the institution had met minimum requirements in governance, Academic Programmes, and Academic resources. The University was expected to implement recommendations contained in the Accreditation and Audit Report in order to enhance the quality of teaching it offers to its students and play a greater role in the development of this country. A summary of the Commission's findings including an update of the current status is contained in this report. The Commission for University Education recommended that JKUAT be awarded a Charter.