Daystar University
| Daystar University | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Excellence. Transformation. Servant Leadership |
| Established | 1974 |
| Type | Private |
| Admin. staff | 292 |
| Undergraduates | 4,000 |
| Postgraduates | Offered |
| Location | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Campus | Athi River(300 acres (1,214,000 m2) Nairobi, Mombasa |
| Website | www.daystar.ac.ke |
Coordinates: 1°26′32″S 37°02′53″E / 1.442193°S 37.047952°E
Daystar University is a chartered inter-denominational and evangelical Christian University in Nairobi, Kenya. The university has produced over 12,000 graduates since its inception in Kenya in 1974. The current Vice Chancellor is Dr. Timothy Wachira.
The university continues to produce graduates who are serving in various capacities in Africa.[citation needed]
Contents |
History [edit]
Daystar was co-founded in 1964 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, by Dr. S.E. Motsoko Pheko, a political refugee from South Africa, and Dr. Donald and Mrs. Faye K. Smith, an American missionary couple.
During the next four years, they established a Christian publishing ministry under the name Daystar Publications. When Mr. Pheko moved Daystar Publications to Zambia in 1967, the Smiths launched Daystar Communications during the same year in Zimbabwe. They also incorporated the US in hope of finding possible solutions to major Christian communication problems.
The eruption of civil war in Zimbabwe in 1974 prompted the re-location of Daystar Communications' international headquarters to Nairobi, Kenya, where the organization had been incorporated as a non-profit the year before. It was also during 1974 that Daystar Communications acquired a 1.54 acre plot in downtown Nairobi and established a small campus.
But with the ministry expanding rapidly, the need for more room.
Daystar's prayers were answered in 1989 when they chose a 300-acre property at Athi River (39 kilometres East of Nairobi) to set up their new university grounds. On September 19, 1992, Daystar University College - as it was then called - relocated the pioneer class of first year students to the new Athi River Campus.
The campus has since grown considerably and continues to expand both in physical facilities and in student population. The university however has not changed in its vision to develop servant leaders to serve their communities and nations.
Daystar Vision [edit]
Daystar University’s Vision is to be a distinguished, Christ-Centered, African Institution of Higher learning for the Transformation of Church and Society.
Daystar Mission [edit]
Daystar University’s mission is to develop Managers, Professionals and Scholars to be effective Christian Servant-Leaders through the integration of Christian Faith and Holistic learning for the transformation of Church and Society.
Campuses [edit]
The university has three campuses in Kenya: Athi river campus(Main Campus), <Nairobi Campus and Mombasa Campus. Daystar University was first housed at the Nairobi Campus. Diploma courses, pre-university and daytime undergraduate programs are offered at the Athi River Campus situated on the edge of the Athi plains on the slopes of the Lukenya Hills, about 40 kilometres from downtown Nairobi. Evening undergraduate and postgraduate programs are also offered at Nairobi Campus and Mombasa Campuses.
Built on 300 acres (1.2 km2) of land, the University’s Athi River campus is 38 kilometres from Nairobi and is home to about 1,500 students both local and international.
Schools, Institutes and Centers [edit]
Schools [edit]
- Arts & Humanities
- Business & Economics
- Communication, Languages and Performing Arts
- Human & Social Sciences
- Science, Engineering & Health
Institutes and Centers [edit]
- Centre for Quality Assurance and Excellence in Teaching & Learning
- Centre of Research, Publication, Consultancy & Postgraduate Bureau (CRPC)
- Institute of Christian Ministries and Training (ICMT)
Partnerships and Collaboration [edit]
Daystar maintains linkages for academic interaction and exchange with other institutions such as North Western Colleg, Bethel University and Alliance for International Christian Business Education in the US, Kosin University in South Korea, Matongo Lutheran Theological College in Kenya and the Food for the Hungry Go-Ed Program.
Facilities [edit]
The Communication department operates a radio station (Shine FM 103.1), sound, video and television studios as well as a student newspaper, Involvement, so as to provide hands-on experience. These studios and newspaper are run by students.
Library and Resource Centre Services Daystar University has libraries in both its campuses.
The University’s two libraries have a rich collection of books, local and international journals and magazines. The non-book collection includes CD databases, videos, DVDs and a host of electronic resources and online databases available through INASP databases.
Scholarships Daystar University offers a number of academic scholarships. The largest scholarship program is the Work Study program set up by the university and to which it contributes a portion of the tuition fees income every year. In return, students are required to work 10 hours a week. The university also offers the Best Student Award, an exclusive award given to the best student on entry in any given year. The recipient is expected to maintain high grades throughout their study.
Variety of Extra-Curriculum Activities A host of clubs and activities are in place which involve academic, social and spiritual activities.
Student Government The Daystar University Students Association (DUSA) looks after the affairs of the students and represents them in the administration. There are two chapters for the Athi River and Nairobi campuses. The 2012/2013 student government leader is Mr. Kelvin Mucheke who is the Campus chair and student President of the Athi river campus.
Sports and Recreation Daystar coordinates sports and games throughout the academic year. Existing sports and recreation activities include team sports, individual sports, board games and other outdoor activities. Daystar teams compete in the Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA), the Nairobi Fellowship of theological Colleges (NFTC), Nairobi Basketball Association and in other organized institutional sports.
Alumni Association [edit]
Upon graduation, graduates automatically become members of Daystar University Alumni Association (DUAA), which is solely run by the alumni through an executive committee elected annually. Through Daylink, a recently launched job placement centre, the graduates place their CVs with the centre, thus creating a link between the employers and Daystar graduates. DUAA has various initiatives among them the Somesha (Kiswahili for Educate) Scholarship Fund that aims at mobilizing resources for students who are unable to pay their fees. One way of doing this is through fund-raising dinners lined up for the year.
Daystar University Parents Association (DUPA) [edit]
Daystar is the only local university with a parents association. The Association exists to work with the administration to facilitate understanding and cooperation amongst students and the university and also to promote and facilitate socio-economic development of the university.
Leadership The mission of Daystar University is steered by a group of 50 African Christian leaders with a vision for leadership training for the African continent. These comprise the University Company, which is headed by Mr. James Mageria and the University Council, headed by the Chancellor, Dr. Florence Muli-Musiime. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Timothy Wachira oversees the day to day running of the university.
