University Education and Research – Ministry of Education

State Department for University Education and Research

Functions of the Department

University Education Policy
University Education Management
Management of Continuing Education (excluding TVETS)
Public University Management
Education Research and Policy

University education is one of the most rapidly expanding sub-sectors of the Education sector in Kenya. Demand for university education has continued to increase with many students who are unable to be absorbed in Kenyan Universities seeking admission in institutions of higher learning outside the country.

The Directorate of Higher Education in the Ministry if Higher Education, Science and Technology has taken this challenge in stride. Constituent University colleges and campuses affiliated to universities have been established to expand access to higher education.

Currently we have 7 public Universities, 18 private Universities of which 11 have received university charter and the rest are on letters of interim authority. This number is expected to increase.

Some middle level colleges have been upgraded to campuses and constituent colleges of public universities. They include:

Chuka University – Egerton University
Kisii University College – Egerton University
Kimathi University College – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
Pwani University College – Kenyatta University
Kenya Polytechnic – University of Nairobi
Mombasa Polytechnic – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
Kenya Science Campus – University of Nairobi
Taita Taveta Campus – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
Kabianga Campus – Moi University

Other efforts in the pipeline for making Kenyan higher education competitive and of high quality standards include:

Restructuring and strengthening of the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) and Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Establishment of an Open University of Kenya.
Improvement of governance in public universities.

Functions of the Directorate of Higher Education

Formulation and review of policies on Higher Education in collaboration with Commission for Higher Education (CHE), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and other relevant institutions and departments.
Co-ordination of plans and budgets from public universities in collaboration with CHE and other departments.
Initiation, promotion and implementation of Cultural, Technical and Scientific cooperation with other countries in liaison with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Administration of scholarships offered by friendly countries.
Coordination of matters related to local and overseas universities education.
Disbursement of grants and bursaries to local and overseas university as well as regional and international institutions and organization that are linked to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology.
Joint formulation and implementation of policies on East Africa Community, Inter-University
Council of East Africa (IUCEA) and African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD).
Coordination of admission to public universities in liaison with Joint Admission Board (JAB).
Facilitation of appointments of Education Attaches to Kenya Missions in Paris, Moscow,London, Delhi and Washington
Coordination of Student Exchange Programmes for university students, and clearance of students proceeding for university education overseas.
Facilitation of acquisition of travel documents for students wishing to travel outside the country for studies.

The Directorate of Higher Education collaborates with Higher Education Loans Board, Commission for Higher Education and Joint Universities Admissions Board in its delivery of service. The three bodies offer the following:

Higher Education Loans Board Products:

Loans for undergraduate
Loans postgraduate ( Masters B PhD) studies
Bursaries for undergraduate studies
Scholarships for postgraduate studies

Joint Universities Admissions Board

Admissions to public universities
Commission for Higher Education
Quality assurance and standards in higher education
Higher Education policy formulation and review
Coordination of plans and budgets from public universities