Kenya’s First Virtual University Unveiled

President William Ruto on Thursday issued a charter to Kenya’s first virtual university – The Open University of Kenya (OUK) – to commence operations.

Ruto awarded the charter to the Open University of Kenya at Konza Technopolis City in Machakos County on Thursday in a function attended by various leaders including senior government officials such as Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, MPs, Governors among other leaders.

“In accordance with the requirements of the law, I, William Samoei Ruto, the President of Kenya and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces, satisfied that the awarding of the charter to the Open University of Kenya will be of benefit to the advancement of University Education in Kenya,” Ruto said.

President Ruto said the University offers a chance for ordinary Kenyans to pursue professional training of their choice wherever they are. OUK will enroll the first batch of students for the academic year commencing September.

Located at the Konza Technopolis in Machakos, OUK will offer eight online courses in its initial phase. These include degrees and diplomas in cyber security and digital forensics, technology education, business and entrepreneurship, data science, economics, statistics, agriculture technology, and food systems. Additionally, postgraduate diploma courses in leadership and management, as well as learning design and technology, will be offered.

In addition to specialized courses, students at OUK will be required to complete core courses covering topics such as climate change and sustainability, global citizenship, ethics and social cohesion, philosophy, psychology, and basic research.

Admission to the OUK will based on prior learning, which can also be demonstrated through two years of workplace training, two years of relevant work experience, or the completion of short courses in the relevant field.

The varsity will operate under the theme ‘The Innovative University for Inclusive Prosperity’.