Kisii University and the University of Embu accounted for the highest number of degree programs with no student enrollment, according to Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) data from the latest placement exercise.
Unpopular Programs Highlight Educational Challenges ¶
Of 107 degree programs that failed to attract applicants, 16 were offered by Kisii University and seven by the University of Embu. Courses in environmental studies, theology, agriculture, and fisheries dominated the list of neglected programs.
Kisii University's unclaimed programs included Bachelor of Arts in peace and conflict studies, Bachelor of Business Administration, and specialized science degrees in aquatic resources and natural products. The university also saw no interest in applied linguistics, translation, and horticulture programs.
The University of Embu's unenrolled courses included environmental science, wildlife management, and agricultural economics. Other institutions with significant numbers of unclaimed programs included Meru University of Science and Technology, Presbyterian University of East Africa, and Kirinyaga University.
Calls for Institutional Reform ¶
Public university leaders acknowledged systemic issues, with Prof Francis Aduol, chairman of the Public Universities Vice-Chancellors Committee, citing program duplication as a key factor. He urged institutions to innovate and align offerings with market demands.
Cabinet Secretary for Education George Magoha criticized the lack of diversity in academic programs, stating that 50% of staff at some universities originated from the same community. He directed the Commission on University Education (CUE) to review unclaimed courses and align them with national development goals.
While some officials argued that certain programs, like theology, target mature students rather than recent high school graduates, Magoha emphasized the need for universities to match enrollment with capacity and funding levels.
