Ruto at Ummah University says govt committed to supporting higher education
The Head of State said ongoing reforms in the education sector are aimed at opening up more opportunities for learners to easily access higher education thereby transforming their lives.
President William Ruto said the government is taking measures to empower institutions of higher learning to provide skilled and innovation programmes that will contribute in driving forward the country’s development agenda.
The Head of State said ongoing reforms in the education sector are aimed at opening up more opportunities for learners to easily access higher education thereby transforming their lives.
President Ruto made the remarks today at Umma University where he officiated as the guest of honour during the launch of the Phase II Dr Abdulrahman Sumait Complex.
“We are empowering institutions of higher learning to shape a new generation of graduates — skilled, ethical, and innovative — ready to create jobs, advance technology, and tackle the pressing challenges of our time. To realise this vision, we have strengthened governance in our universities, restructured financing, and introduced the transformative Student-Centred Funding Model,” he said.
“These bold reforms have not only safeguarded the sustainability of our universities and restored financial stability, but they have also reduced fees and opened the doors of higher education to more learners across the nation,” he added.
The President in a group photo with university officials and various Muslim leaders who turned up at the graduation event
During the event, the President commissioned the Dr Abdulrahman Al-Sumait Complex, a landmark Sh1.4 billion, 10-storey building designed to serve more than 10,000 students.
He also officiated at the ground breaking ceremony of the Phase III of the Umma University School of Engineering Phase III — a project which he described as a “significant step toward equipping young Kenyans with the tools to innovate, build, and lead in the industries of tomorrow.”
Umma University is the first Islamic university in the country to be accredited by the government. The institution offers certificate, diploma, degree and post graduate courses. Its academic programmes combine Islamic morals and ethical orientation with practical learning strategies that nurture scholars with ethical approach to leadership
Umma University had its humble beginnings as the Thika Institute of Islamic Studies way back in 1998.
President Ruto’s attachment to the institute goes back to 2010 when as the minister of higher education, he oversaw its registration and recognition of its educational programmes by the Ministry of Education. Previously, it operated as an affiliate institution of the International University based in Sudan.
In 2013, the institution was given a Letter of Interim Authority, becoming the first Islamic university to gain government recognition. Six years later on October 18, 2019, it was granted a charter becoming a fully fledged university.
Umma University is among educational projects spanning 29 countries African run by Direct Aid International (DAI) formerly known as Africa Muslim Agency (AMA). The non-governmental organization was founded by Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait a renowned medical doctor and Islamic scholar from Kuwait who passed away in 2013.
The organization sponsors four universities in Africa, Semad University in Mogadishu, Somalia; Abdulrahman Al Sumait University in Zanzibar, Morogoro University in Tanzania and Umma University in Kenya