omo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has for the third year running emerged as the most preferred University at the just released placement for the first year students where Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes attracted the highest number of students.
In the announcements by Education Cabinet Secretary, Prof. George Magoha on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, JKUAT attracted 6,006 students compared to University of Nairobi that attracted 5,894 with Maseno University closing up the top three position with 5,716 admissions.
This is a repeat of last year’s (2019/2020) exploits where JKUAT was the most preferred academic destination, attracting 5,901 students compared to University of Nairobi which came second with 5,432.
Kenyan universities have been playing catch-up since the 2018/2019 admissions when JKUAT started taking the lead by attracting the largest share of students joining university. The uninterrupted pattern then, which has become synonymous with JKUAT, saw the university admit 4,886 students where polled students pointed to quality faculty, modern teaching and research facilities as well as impressive and functional collaborations with industry as some of the reasons why JKUAT remained a top magnet.
Commenting on the placements, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, who openly exhibited her excitement, applauded the youngsters for their choice to study in JKUAT as their preferred institution saying, they have indeed chosen the right institution that would mould them into future leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.
She said the trend that has seen the University attract the largest number of students for the third year in a row, was indeed; “a show of confidence in the training offered by her institution.”
Since inception, JKUAT has been guided by a clear vision aimed at projecting the institution as a University of Global Excellence in Training, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Development. It has gone through desirable transitions and realized growth that has resulted in the diversity of academic programmes, research and innovation enterprise as well as the number of students enrolled.
College of Health Sciences students during a lab practical class
JKUAT has five colleges, offering over 400 academic programmes. The colleges are: Engineering and Technology, Pure and Applied Sciences, Health Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Sciences and Human Resource Development.
Apart from the main campus in Juja, JKUAT programmes which are accredited by both Commission for University Education and professional regulatory bodies, are accessible through her nine campuses located in Kenya’s main towns of; Nairobi, Karen, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisii, Kakamega, Kitale, Eldoret, and Keiyian.
