Kenya: INOORERO UNIVERSITY IMMINENT CLOSURE
Posted by African Press International on February 25, 2011
PROF. HENRY THAIRU RUNS BERSERK AT THE IMMINENT CLOSURE OF INOORERO UNIVERSITY.
Early this week, Prof. Henry Thairu the Vice Chancellor of Inoorero University convened a quick meeting of all the current students and employees of Inoorero University to prepare them for the imminent closure of the institution due to serious cash flow problems. In his address to the students and employees of the University, the Vice Chancellor unequivocally admitted that the institution was facing survival threatening financial crisis. Hence, the University is likely to close in about two to three months.
The vice-chancellor was at pains to own up to the fact that the name “Inoorero” has consistently been rejected by the market. In a rebuttal, the vice-chancellor who appeared profusely agitated and for fear of getting into bad books with the Chancellor, told the gathering that the University will not change its name, and asked those uncomfortable with the name to submit their letter of resignation, which he would be more than delighted to accept. The whole meeting was shocked at the audacity of the Vice Chancellor to make such untimely and insensitive outburst. The Vice Chancellor admitted that the Human Resources Manager has been receiving an estimated fifteen resignations every week. However, due to the imminent closure of the university, the Vice Chancellor confirmed that the University Management and Council are currently working out modalities of separation such as severance pay and the liquidation of the staff provident fund, which is grossly under-funded. The Vice Chancellor indicated that he will be sending out a communication on how the university intends to handle staff salaries and benefits once the university is placed on receivership.
The Voice of People Analyst gathered that the Board of the former Kenya School of Professional Studies (KSPS) was strongly advised against adopting the name Inoorero for its university. Further, the Voice of People Analyst was able to confirm that numerous research studies on the efficacy of the brand under “Inoorero” have been done. All the market studies indicate that the market has no place for such a name, which is packed with ethnic connotations. Hence, students have chosen to transfer to other institutions because they do not want to have transcripts and certificates that bear the name Inoorero. With all this insurmountable evidence, the Vice Chancellor is unable to help the university leadership come to terms with what is truly ailing
the institutions for fear of being fired by the Chancellor. This lack of honesty and integrity in matters that are core to the livelihood of the institution makes Prof. Thairu unfit to lead any other organization. The two DVCS are equally not to the task. The Voice of People Operative confirmed that 65% of the total payroll goes with the top leadership of the university, which adds no value to the institution.
Addressing the concerns of the current students, the Vice Chancellor indicated that arrangements are being explored on possible transfers of the current students to other institutions of higher learning in consultation with the Commission for Higher Education (CHE). Reliable sources at the Commission for Higher Education confirmed that discussions with Inoorero University on how to handle the current students have been held and are at advanced stage. Sources at the University confirmed that such meeting with CHE have been held and the minutes of such meeting are available. However, the Vice Chancellor through the Registrar advised the students to start looking for Universities where they can transfer and complete their degrees, diplomas and certificates.
There was a mood of despair at the meeting as the employees and students attempted to synthesize the imminent death of the sharpening place. The Voice of People operative confirmed that 90% of the employees and students are of the opinion that the University could be salvaged if common sense leadership could be given a chance in the University. For example, one senior member of staff whose is very close to the Chancellor confirmed that the Chancellor holds male chauvinist driven sentiments on the name Inoorero, and anyone who challenges his wisdom on the selection of the name Inoorero is given marching orders through hook and crook. Thus, the Vice Chancellor who lacks grossly in common sense consciousness trembles at the possibilities of being asked to initiate the process of name change. Hence, that is why he busted out in the meeting with “whoever is unhappy with the name can walk out”. Hence, one wonders, whether is it about the name or about what makes business sense.
At the end of the meeting, the Vice Chancellor formed a committee to oversee the imminent closure of the University. The Committee is headed by the DVC_ARS: a man who does not get close to the grasp of the gravity of the matter. The DVC_APD was heard in the corridors blasting employees for lack of loyalty and commitment to the Institution. The Voice of People Analyst could not reach the Chancellor for comments as he was said to be in Parliament.
Horseman Ogutu,Esq.
Voice of People Correspondent, People Foundation, Inc, Social Transformation Advocacy Group, 775 River Oaks Parkway, San Jose, CA 95136
David Svarrer said
Was it Mark Twain who said these famous words: “The rumours about my death are very exaggerated…”
And as we speak, 2 years after the “Imminent closure” – we are today writing 26 April 2013, Inoorero is still ‘Grinding on’ – on a positive note – Inoorero has 1000+ students. That does not smell of closing down :-) As any other (!) institution, Inoorero has received both accolades and critique. The positive thing with Inoorero is, that they do LISTEN to both.. Instead of all these negative connotations from the word Inoorero, yes, surely a university can change its name if it is not fit from a particular connotation. I happen to not belong to any tribe – and when I researched, I found that Inoorero means ‘Sharpening Stone’.
So, out of Inoorero, should come ‘sharpened students’. We happen to be working with Inoorero University, or IU as they are now being called.
We are impressed with their work within Problem Based Learning – which we also do embrace in Digital Age Institute Ltd. – PBL is one of the strongest winning training / coaching styles – originating from Aalborg University in Denmark (Professor Dirkinck Holmfeld) – and it has shown to produce some of the strongest candidates with both academic and hands on skills. Professor Niels Arnfred told me recently during a meeting with our Danish Ambassador, that he has worked for some years with IU to implement PBL, and that it has been taken up well.
Thus, if it was up to me, I would from that point of view, keep the name Inoorero, while – naturally – if there are any tribal issues linked to the name, it would maybe be wise to find a similar sharp name – but either in English or Swahili.
I find it remarkable, that someone has the odacity to write about what appears as mere gossip – about a university which has adapted to some of the most challenging, result producing teaching styles – and who has some of the best academic staff one can dream about.
We in Digital Age Institute are happy to work with Inoorero University, and we are proud of that we are sharing not only the vision of excellence – but we also share many principles of how to operate a top training institution – in terms of discipline, commitment, integrity. We expect to grow the ICT sector together with Inoorero University, to enable us to become both continentally and internationally known as a place of choice.
With humble respect for the original author, though, with a different view I remain yours sincerely
David Svarrer,
Principal,
Digital Age Institute Ltd.