The University Vice Chancellor Prof. Teresa Akenga officially ushered in the 6th Student Leaders to the University Students’ Council in a successful event that was held from 19th-23rd August, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Conference Center, Kabula in Bungoma County.

In her address, the Vice Chancellor thanked the Student Leaders for being elected in their respective position and urged them to embrace humility within their respective positions and more so be servant leaders. She applauded the Dean of Students Dr. Lelei Kiboiy and his team for organizing such an events, and reiterated that the University Management Board welcomes the initiative, and it will endeavor to ensure that such induction and team building workshops are enhanced within the University curriculum.

Prof. Akenga called upon the Student leaders to act as key representatives of the students’ population, and work to ensure that the University core values and standards are maintained at all times. She called upon them to enhance dissemination of accurate information and also be aware of the impacts of social media in ruining and developing careers. She further advised them to look at the bigger picture of their responsibilities within the University and avoid being fixated on radical leadership, as they are the future leaders of tomorrow.

Her sentiments were echoed by the DVC (ASA) Prof. Maurice Mwamburi who called on the Student Leaders to always be ready to embrace dialogue with the University Management Board, and always work to ensure that the University standards are upholded. The DVC (AF) Prof. Wilson Ng’etich reiterated that the Student Leaders within their roles as representative of the students’ population are guided by the University Constitution in disseminating their duties. He urged them to have knowledge of the University Act of 2012 and University structures (2013) in order to understand the laid down protocols to follow in case of any issues.

The Dean of Students Dr. Lelei Kiboiy on his part highlighted that student leaders within their roles are called upon to embrace honesty and integrity. He called on them to always work together with the University Administration in order to minimize unnecessary conflicts within their term. He further asked the Student Leaders to come up with a budget which will act as a guide to their duties and responsibilities until the end of the year.

The Registrar Planning Dr. Benjamin Mwasi called on the Student Leaders to act as the University custodians. He informed them that the University has numerous projects in the pipeline that will enhance their learning experience, and needs to be protected from unnecessary vandalism. He thus, asked them to ensure that they call on their constituents who are the Students’ population to avoid wanton destruction of school properties and facilities, as these affects the University in its strategic planning measures.

The Ag. Finance Officer Mr. Barnabus Agar on his part advised the Student Leaders to inform their peers that National Bank of Kenya and Co-operative Bank of Kenya are the only two financial institutions that are integrated by the University System. He thus, urged the Student Leaders to ensure that their peers pay University Fees through these two channel in case of any urgency. However, he also highlighted that other Universities bank accounts are functional although they have not been integrated with the University System. He further called on the Student Leaders to inform other students on the need to report through the ERP system once every new academic year begin in order to be able to be accorded automatic invoicing once they pay their Universities fee.

Last but not least, the Legal Officer Mrs. Joyce Maina in her elaborate explanation of the University policies, procedures, rules and laws, called on the Student Leaders to have a thorough knowledge of the University Act (2012), University Constitution and the University Students’ Leaders Constitution in order to be able to dispense their leadership in accordance with the laid down procedures. She further called on them to always be ready to seek legal advice from the legal office when necessary.

The University Management Board sentiments were echoed by the Student Leaders Council Chairman Mr. Bill Clinton who promised to work closely with the administration to ensure that their reign is a success. The Student Leaders Council Secretary General Mr. Lemayan Olenalamae on his part highlighted that they will strive to uphold the University constitution and they will be ready to seek for advice always.