Dedan Kimathi University of Technology: Difference between revisions
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|coor = {{Coord| -0.395307|36.962371|type:edu|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |
|coor = {{Coord| -0.395307|36.962371|type:edu|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |
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|former name = Kimathi Institute of Technology (K.I.T.), Kimathi University College of Technology (KUCT) |
|former name = Kimathi Institute of Technology (K.I.T.), Kimathi University College of Technology (KUCT) |
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|nickname = Kimathi, KUCT, KuCity |
|nickname = Kimathi, KUCT, KuCity, DKUT, DeKUT |
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|colors = Gold, Red and Green |
|colors = Gold, Red and Green |
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|athletics = Kenya Hockey Union National League,<br />6 varsity teams |
|athletics = Kenya Hockey Union National League,<br />6 varsity teams |
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Revision as of 20:10, 3 September 2013
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| Motto | Better Life Through Technology |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1972 |
| Chancellor | Prof. Shellemiah O. Keya |
| Vice-Chancellor | Prof. Eng. Paul Ndirangu Kioni |
| Undergraduates | ~1,600 |
| Location | , 0°23′43″S 36°57′45″E / 0.395307°S 36.962371°E |
| Campus | Sub Urban |
| Colors | Gold, Red and Green |
| Nickname | Kimathi, KUCT, KuCity, DKUT, DeKUT |
| Affiliations | College of The Rockies, Starbucks, Kenya Wildlife Service |
| Website | www.kuct.ac.ke |
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DKUT) is a public, coeducational technological university in Nyeri, Kenya. It is one of 24 public universities in Kenya, having been a constituent college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology since the year 2007 until it was chartered to become a fully fledged public university on 14th December 2012.
It was the first university in Kenya to be chartered under the new univesities act of 2012 and the eighth public university to be established in the country.
It started as a middle-level national technical and business-oriented learning institution in 1972 and was elevated in 2007 to a constituent university college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology through a Kenya Gazette notice to become a full-fledged university in three years.[1] However, this came later on 14th December 2012 when President Mwai Kibaki officiated and awarded the institution a charter in a landmark ceremony attended by key government officials and higher education stakeholders.
It is located approximately 6 km from Nyeri along the Nyeri – Mweiga highway. The entire college land spans about 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) consisting of 350 acres (1.4 km2) of natural forest, 350 acres (1.4 km2) of mature coffee and 300 acres (1.2 km2) of open space for expansion
On 26th November 2008 construction of a modernistic, multi-purpose resource centre began. The second phase, out of four, of this project reached completion in late 2010. It serves as the main hub for most activities and events in the college.
History
DKUT's predecessor, Kimathi Institute of Technology (KIT), was established as a Community Project beginning in 1972 and opening doors to its first students in 1978. The institute aimed at equipping the youth with technical and business skills in an environment fostering entrepreneurship to enable them enter gainful employment upon graduating.
By the time it was upgraded, it had graduated to offering diploma programmes and, as an accredited centre of JKUAT, was rapidly building university-level capacity. The first degree students in B.Com and B.IT were admitted under these arrangements in May 2006 and they were expected to complete their studies in 2009.
Academics
DKUT is a technological institution is made up of three schools: The School of Engineering, School of Computing and Information Technology, and the School of Business offer 5, 2 and 2 degrees respectively with the School of Computing and Information Technology offering a diploma in Information Technology.
To graduate, the School of Engineering students must successfully complete five academic years while those in the other schools must complete four academic years.
The university's academic calendar is not uniform as the last three classes have joined the institution at different times of the year. Each academic year consists of two semesters.
Administration
Being a government institution, it is run through an appointed University College Council. The chancellor, principal and permanent secretaries in the Ministries of Higher Education and Finance are members of the council. The current council chairman is Dr. Dulacha Galgallo Barako.
Campus
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology is located about 6 km from Nyeri town. The campus includes education facilities, a vast coffee plantation and a forest.
The campus is basically divided into two. The University Centre where the library, departmental offices and resource centre are and what was the home of Kimathi Institute of Technology consisting of lecture rooms, workshops, hostels facilities and a football field.
Academic facilities
Facilities that were used by the Kimathi Institute of Technology are still the most used for academic purposes thus far. However the library and resource centre are situated at the University Centre.
The resource centre which features great architecture and design is divided into four phases with the two phases complete. The first phase includes a library, lecture theatres and laboratories that were due to be completed in June 2009 and supporting infrastructure. It is funded by the government of Kenya. Subsequent phase of development comprises two academic blocks – one to house ICT labs, lecture rooms and offices and the other to house engineering labs, workshops, and supporting physics and chemistry labs.
Student life
The quality of life at the institution is gradually increasing as students elect to live near and on campus.
Hockey is the most popular and successful campus sport. The hockey club dubbed The Titans Hockey Club participates in the Kenya Hockey Union's Men's National League. Rugby and football follow closely.
Popular clubs and societies include the Christian Union, Catholic Action, entrepreneurship club, wildlife club, the gym club, art for youth development, Actuarial Association of Kimathi and the ICT Club. The ICT Club is particularly known for organising and hosting the most enticing ICT conference in the history of the school.
The students are represented by Kimathi University College of Technology Students' Organization that is elected every year.
Housing and sports facilities
Kimathi has six halls of residence, one of which houses female students. Off-campus housing is very popular; the larger portion of students choose it. Transport is provided by the school to and from Nyeri and its nearby towns where some students reside. Off-campus accommodation near the school is available as private developers are investing hugely near the school.
Campus meals are served by the school mess and a few off-campus food joints. Self cooking is not very popular amongst the students. A students centre is also available for students to socialise, watch TV and play pool.
Sports facilities include a rugby football field; volleyball, basketball and badminton courts; and a field hockey pitch.
References
- ^ "Kenya: Six Institutions Made Campuses". AllAfrica.com. 29 August 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2008.