#02 / 2006 - January 26, 2006

Daystar University Carries Out Mombasa Campus Survey

A team of seven faculty members led by the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences Dr. Nyambegera, last week carried out a 5-day feasibility study in Mombasa.

The study, which was aimed at establishing the educational needs of the people in Mombasa and determining the availability of physical facilities required for university education, saw the team visit various institutions and interact with various community leaders.

Institutions visited included educational institutions such as Bandari College, Mombasa Polytechnic, Busy Bee Preparatory School, Oshwal Academy, and the former Aga Khan High School and Junior Academy.

The team also visited Mombasa ACK Methodist and Pentecostal Churches. Other institutions visited included the National Social Security Fund, Bombolulu Workshops and Polana Hotel (which is under receivership).

The group also carried out various interviews with the Bishops of ACK Methodist Churches, several pastors, School Proprietors, and deputy principles ad registrars of colleges and polytechnics. Questionnaires were also given to a total of 34 people.

Information collected revealed that there are three universities currently offering various courses in Mombasa, namely;

· University of Nairobi: Bachelor of Commerce and MBA

· Kenyatta University: Distance Learning

· Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology: Computer courses up to diploma levels.

The team also learnt that Egerton University is offering degree and diploma programmes at Kilifi Institute of Agriculture, which is several kilometers away from Mombasa Town.

It was noted that these universities are not adequately addressing the learning needs of the people of Mombasa at higher education levels. Among the recommendations made by the committee are:

· Daystar University to open a campus in Mombasa

· Daystar to launch the campus in August 2006 during the Management Retreat.

· The university to acquire former Aga Khan schools or former Oshwal Academy or rent premises at NSSF building or Reinsurance Plaza. However it would be better to have our own buildings.

· Polana Hotel seems to be central but a little noisy hence not quite ideal.

· The negotiations on the possible premises are done by end of March 2006 to give time for restructuring and /or preparation of the sites.

Daystar Represented in Ministry of Education Workshop

Daystar University DVC (Academic), Prof. Samuel Katia and DVC (FAP) Dr. Dr. Philip Kitui early this month attended a Ministry of Education workshop of Kenya Education Sector Support Programme.

This was the first series of meetings planned for Vice Chancellors and Deputy Vice-Chancellor's.

The second series of the workshop targeting Deans was attended by Dr. Stephen Nyambegera, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences.

The Workshop was held at Maseno University, Kisumu City Campus and covered topics on university investment programmes, articulated challenges in higher education and free primary education arising from establishing centers of excellence and quality assurance.

Daystar University Anti-Drugs Club To Be Launched During NACADA Week

The NACADA / HIV week (4th to 16th February) led by the National Coordinator Mr. Joseph Kaguthi will see the official launch of the Daystar University Against Drug Abuse (DUADA) club.

The club will be led the Programme Manager, Clement Nganga and 14 other officials. Daystar community members are invited to the launch, as the club will seek to involve all Daystarians in the continuation of the fight against drugs after the NACADA event.

Daystar Staff Speaks in Church Meeting

Daystar University's Assistant Chaplain Rev. Mary Kinoti early this month addressed a Thanksgiving and Commissioning Meeting of newly elected leaders of PCEA Tumu Tumu Parish, Nyeri.

She also addressed parents in the area on opportunities available at Daystar University. The audience showed great interest and appreciation for Daystar's mission of training servant leaders and requested that the university consider opening a campus in the area or collaborating with an institution in the area. They also requested for an opportunity to receive training through Daystar's ICMT programme.

New Staff Members

Two new academic staff members have joined Daystar University during this semester. They are:

Geoffrey Kariuki Kinuthia

Geoffrey has joined Daystar as a Lecturer in the Science department. He previously worked with Eldoret Polytechnic.

Patrick Kanyi Wamuyu

Patrick joins the Computer Science department as a Lecturer. He has previously worked with Kenya Christian Industrial Institute (KCITI).

Hope Presbyterian Church Members to Visit Daystar

Four members of the Hope Presbyterian Church of Richfield, Minnesota will visit Daystar next week. The team, which is led by the missions coordinator, Peggy Turnbull and accompanied by their senior pastor, David Lenz, will be in Kenya for the dedication of Kinyango Dandora Secondary School. While in Kenya, the team, which has had a long relationship with Daystar University, also plans to visit their ministry partners.

The group will be at the Athi River campus on Monday, 30th January and at the Nairobi Campus on Tuesday, 7th February where they will attend chapel.

Dr. Achoka Laid To Rest

Dr. John Daudi Achoka, the former Head of Science Department in Daystar was laid to rest in his home in Nambale. Tears flowed freely as the late academician was escorted to his final resting place in a ceremony witnessed by a huge crowd.

Present during the function were staff from Daystar University, Moi University and Western University of Science and Technology (WEUCO) where Dr. (Mrs.) Achoka teaches.

Reading a message of condolence on behalf of Daystar's Vice-Chancellor, the Dean of Postgraduate Studies Dr. James Kombo paid great tribute to the late Dr. Achoka saying that he rendered exemplary service to Daystar University. He went on to wish the family strength during the trying moment.

Dr. (Mrs.) Achoka thanked Daystar University for standing with the family during the illness of her husband. She said that the university had taken great care of her husband when he was working at Daystar even when his health started deteriorating.

Dr. Achoka joined Daystar University from Moi University. Before his death he had received high academic recognition when his works were published in the World Health Organisation publication "WHO is WHO". He is survived by a widow and four children.

Kidnapping

The husband of Florence Munyao, an evening student at the Valley road campus, was among the people who were kidnapped in Iraq. Florence is the sister to Dorothy and Margaret Muthoka both of who work at Daystar as accountant and lecturer respectively. Mr. Munyao, a telecommunications engineer, was kidnapped on Wednesday 18th January and no reports on him have been communicated.

Let us pray for the family at this trying moment.

Announcements

Library Notice

Daystar Valley Road campus library is encouraging students to check for their names on the notice board concerning lost and found cards, overdue fines and overdue books. Faculty and staff are also encouraged to return their overdue books or renew them.

Registration for January 2006 Semester

All students are advised that, as per the current catalogue (pp 52), the last day for registering for the January 2006 semester is Friday, 27^th January 2006. Thereafter, the university will consider you NOT registered for the semester and will expect you NOT to attend any classes. In addition, from Wednesday, 18^th January to Friday, 27^th January, a late registration fee will be charged as stipulated in the catalogue.

Please note that the registration process involves:

Correctly choosing your courses and obtaining an invoice from the registrar's office that reflects your course choices and the expected fees requirements for the semester. Making the necessary payments, as per your invoice, to the finance department and obtaining a receipt and a stamp on our invoice. (Students who are in need of the installment plan will have to see the credit controller before or on Friday, 27^th January 2006 to ensure that they have been considered.)

No changes will be made to your invoice after Friday, 27^th January 2006.

Please note that you are NOT registered unless the finance department has stamped your invoice.

Students are strongly urged to endeavor to follow the outlined guidelines in order to avoid further inconveniences of your semester registration.

Obituary

Stephen Ochanda from Administration department has lost his mother in law, Mrs. Rose Mombo Olukunga.

Mrs. Rose Olukunga died on 23rd January 2006 and will be buried on Saturday, 28th January 2006. Please remember the family in prayer as they mourn the death of their beloved.

Chapel Diary

This year, the semester begins on a high note with the theme "Rejoice in the Lord", based on the book of Philippians.

Chapel activities this week are as follows:

Sunday, 29th January

Speaker: Rev. Mary Kinoti

Tuesday, 31st January

Speaker: Rev. Mary Kinoti

Thursday, 2nd February

Prayer Day

May the semester be full of Joy and gladness for each one of us.

Bible Verse:

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)