The Executive of the Jomo Kenyatta University Student Association (JKUSA) has pledged to continue its collaborative engagement with the university administration that would guarantee smooth running of the University, especially where students’ issues are concerned.
JKUSA through its Chairperson, Mr. Mark Thiong’o, said his association will work with the University leadership to address challenges students face including mental health and substance abuse among others. Mr. Thiong’o expressed the sentiments when he led the seven-member JKUSA Executive to a meeting with the University Management, November 15, 2022.
He further informed the University Management that under his leadership, JKUSA has disbursed over 7 million in bursaries and has committed two percent of the JKUSA budget to assist in the upkeep of needy students. The two percent supplements the JKUAT staff’s benevolent fund for the upkeep of needy students.
Commending the student leadership for its altruistic leadership, Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi encouraged them to play a vanguard role in sensitizing the students on mental health challenges, COVID-19 and Cholera prevention measures.
“We must take responsibility for each other’s mental health because it is a critical component of our life balance. I beseech you to help the university be vigilant in protecting our mental health by sensitizing the student body on issues mental health,” implored Prof. Ngumi.
On substance abuse, she urged the student leaders to be ambassadors of good behavior and embolden their fellow students to be peer counselors to one another.
“With the rampant drug abuse facing the youth, be your brothers and sisters’ keeper and guide them accordingly,” the Vice Chancellor advised.
While acknowledging that the University is engaging in a number of staff and student exchanges to enhance internationalization, Prof. Ngumi urged the student fraternity to conduct themselves with dignity and decorum while visiting foreign countries.
“As a University, we have made a number of commitments and action plans to enhance global visibility including the increase in the enrolment of foreign students and enhanced exchanges among faculty and staff. It is my hope that the JKUSA leadership will be at the forefront in encouraging our students to take advantage of these exchanges and behave accordingly,” said prof. Ngumi.
The meeting is among a series of breakfast meetings held by the University Management and the JKUSA leadership every semester to strengthen the relationship between the University Management and the student body.
Source: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology