PARTNERSHIP ON ECO-TOURISM, ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, TRAINING AND RESEARCH, HALLER PARK, MOMBASA

COLLABORATION BETWEEN KENYA MARITIME AUTHORITY AND TURKANA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
The Chairman, Board of Directors Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), the KMA Director-General and other officers paid a courtesy call to the Turkana University College (TUC) on 24th February 2021. This was a follow-up to an earlier visit by the TUC Council to Kenya Maritime Authority in December 2020.
The KMA Board Chair, Mr. Geoffrey Mwango in his remarks thanked the TUC Chair Dr. S.J. Muchina Munyua, and the Management for the warm reception and for their interest to collaborate with the Authority. He noted that the Authority had engaged stakeholders in Kalokol who had expressed their desire for education on maritime matters, an opportunity which the University College should take up. He also informed the TUC management on the recent agreement entered into between the Authority and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to fund students in maritime education and training in Kenya.
The Chair of TUC Council, Dr. Munyua thanked the KMA Board Chair and Management for the visit and noted the good cooperation that has existed between the two institutions. He pointed out the niche areas in education which the TUC has identified including virtual technology, drone technology, nursing, and maritime studies. He appealed for support from KMA in order to achieve the TUC vision. He noted that the University College had positioned itself to attract students from northwestern Kenya and the neighboring countries of Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan.
The KMA Director-General Mr. Robert Njue applauded the University College for identifying maritime training as one of its core areas of focus. He briefed the members on the role of the Authority including the implementation of maritime Conventions that Kenya has ratified under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). He noted that the development of the blue economy is the new frontier for growing the gross domestic product (GDP) for Kenya and therefore the University College needs to position itself to unlock the blue economy potential in the Lake Turkana region. Mr. Njue highlighted some of the training that the University College could develop including maritime safety, maritime security, diving, mechanical fishing, refrigeration, fish processing, access to finances, and income diversification by the lake community. He noted that most community members using the lake had challenges communicating in English and did not meet coxswain certification requirements, these being opportunities that the University College can take advantage of. He also highlighted that the University College needs to identify and undertake relevant research for the benefit of the community.
The Principal, Prof. George N. Chemining’wa, thanked the KMA Board Chair and management team led by the Director-General for extending a hand of collaboration to TUC. He noted that the collaboration between the two institutions will open opportunities for the University College to develop and implement maritime training programs and conduct research and outreach activities in the Lake Turkana region. He further observed that academic members of staff in the Schools of Education and Social Studies, Business and Economics, and Science and Technology have roles to play in maritime training, research, and outreach.
Further discussions were held on ways in which the two institutions could collaborate to fulfill their mandates and reach out to the community to improve their livelihoods. It was agreed that a technical team comprising members from both institutions will be facilitated to work on the Memorandum of Understanding. The team would also work on identifying some maritime-oriented courses (plus the necessary infrastructure) that the University College could mount with guidance from the Authority.
Consultative meeting between Chairman Board of Directors (HELB),CEO and Board Secretary (HELB), Chairman Council, TUC, Council Members and Ag. Principal.



PUBLIC LECTURE ON DIPLOMACY
Turkana University College held a public lecture Themed Diplomacy on the 25th February 2020 at TUC Main, Hall.
The lecture on Diplomacy was delivered by Public Affairs Counsellor, Paul Watzlavick , US Embassy
During the lecture the public affairs Counsellor, Paul Watzlavick appreciated the hospitality accorded to him during his visit at the University College. He said that the US Government Embassy has contributed to about 300,000 people leaving in Turkana County through Education, Food, Health and Security and they are also looking forward to expanding more cooperations. He also mentioned that he will be working with Turkana Basin Institute initiative of bringing Scholars, Researchers and scholarships to Turkana University College
He expounded more on # USA MARAFIKI commitment to Kenya’s Prosperity, the offering of exchange programme so that Students from Turkana University College can be able to interact with students from USA.
The Ag. Principal Prof. F. Kassily said that partnership will flourish to a point whereby we can get researcher and Professors from USA to partner with Turkana Basin Institute to promote Education.
PROF. GEORGE MUTHAA TAKES OVER AS ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL (ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, AND PLANNING)
Turkana University College (TUC) Council has, with immediate effect, appointed Prof. George Muthaa as the Ag. Deputy Principal, Administration, Finance, and Planning (AFP) to replace Prof. Stephen Odebero. Prof. Odebero will proceed on terminal leave from 11th December 2020 to 30th January 2021 after which he will resume his duties at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).
The handing over ceremony took place on 11th December 2020 in the presence of the Ag. Principal Prof. George Chemining’wa. Prof. Odebero handed over a report containing notes to facilitate a smooth transition for the in-coming Ag. Deputy Principal. In his remarks, Prof. Odebero thanked the TUC Council and Management for the opportunity to serve Turkana University College and for supporting him amidst a myriad of challenges. He thanked Prof. Chemining’wa for cordially working with him and for providing him with guidance and administrative advice that proved vital in the execution of his duties and responsibilities. He also thanked TUC staff and students for their support in the last 3 years he has served in the office of the Deputy Principal (AFP).
Prof. Muthaa, in his remarks, noted that he had obtained a handover report from the out-going Deputy Principal (AFP) Prof. Odebero. He extended his appreciation to Prof. Odebero for what he had done in the Division and the notes he had given him specific areas of action. He said that he would study the report and implement it for the benefit of TUC. He assured the Council and the Principal of his commitment to effectively play his role in realizing the institution’s target of attaining a Charter in under two years.
Prof. Chemining’wa (Ag. Principal) thanked Prof. Odebero for working hard to ensure that the administrative systems and processes are put in place and for cordially working with him. He noted that Prof. Odebero is leaving the AFP division in the right trajectory. He wished him the very best during his terminal leave and in all his future endeavors. Prof. Chemining’wa further noted that since MMUST is the mentor for TUC, the latter would continue benefiting from Prof. Odebero’s knowledge, experience, and advice even after he has gone back to MMUST.
In the same vein, Prof. Chemining’wa congratulated Prof. G. Muthaa on his appointment as the Ag. Deputy Principal (AFP) and welcomed him to TUC. He assured him of his full support as he takes over a critical division. He emphasized that the division needs to build robust policies, procedures, and processes that would enhance the performance of University College in all aspects. Prof. Chemining’wa noted that he will count on Prof. Muthaa’s honest and unfettered advice. Further, he exhorted the need to work together as a team, promote institutional harmony, and provide efficient services to all TUC stakeholders.
SIGNING OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN TURKANA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE (TUC) AND KENYA MARINE AND FISHERIES INSTITUTE (KMFRI)

