Islamic University of Kenya Launches Garissa Branch After Charter Approval.
Islamic University of Kenya has officially inaugurated a new branch in Garissa town, marking a significant development five months after receiving its charter. The institution was granted this charter on November 5, 2024, by President William Ruto, affirming its official recognition under the Universities Act (2012).
During a launch ceremony hosted at a hotel in Garissa, the university’s board, under the leadership of Sheikh Mohamed Osman, expressed appreciation to President Ruto for acknowledging the university’s contribution to national education. The board regarded the charter as a major milestone, particularly for North Eastern Kenya, where educational advancement has often faced challenges.
Osman encouraged local youth to seize the opportunity to enroll in a variety of academic programs, highlighting the university’s foundation in Islamic values—knowledge, discipline, compassion, and justice. He emphasized that these principles could help tackle regional issues such as poverty, insecurity, unemployment, and language barriers by empowering and enlightening the population.
The university announced plans to offer academic programs aligned with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Medicine (STEM). Osman revealed intentions to establish a comprehensive medical school offering training in fields such as medicine, dentistry, radiology, and pharmacy, urging the local community to make the most of this educational opportunity.
“We intend to have a fully-fledged medical school where doctors, dentists, radiologists, pharmacists, and many other faculties of medicine will also be offered,” he said.
Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo praised the opening as a historic achievement, calling it a vital step toward realizing the community’s long-standing vision for access, equity, and empowerment through higher education. He characterized the new campus as a symbol of hope and transformation, unlocking opportunities that had previously seemed out of reach.
Mwabudzo stated that through education, children from humble backgrounds could rise to become professionals and leaders—whether doctors, lawyers, or innovators—reflecting the power of academic opportunity to reshape futures.
“This new campus will open doors that were previously a pipe dream for many from the region. It will also inspire dreams that may have once seemed unreachable,” he added.
Relief for Financially Strained Families
Sheikh Abdisalan Mohamed, former Director of the Young Muslim Association, noted that many students from the region who had once dreamed of studying abroad but were hindered by financial difficulties could now pursue higher education locally. He expressed optimism that this new institution would fulfill the aspirations of numerous students who had completed secondary school but lacked the means to continue.
Sheikh Abdullahi Salat, National Organizing Secretary of SUPKEM, highlighted the university’s potential to alleviate the persistent shortage of teachers in the region. He called on the county government to allocate land to the institution, stressing the importance of supporting future campus expansion to accommodate growing educational needs.
Read Also: KUCCPS Outlines Fresh Guidelines for Student Admissions at Universities and TVETs
Former Lagdera MP Mohamed Shidiye urged parents to invest in their children’s education, describing it as the most valuable legacy they could offer. He added that beyond academics, the university would bring economic benefits, including youth employment.
Shidiye emphasized the importance of developing human capital, asserting that global economic success often hinges on effectively harnessing skilled labor, and he encouraged the government to adopt a similar approach for national progress.
Islamic University of Kenya Launches Garissa Branch After Charter Approval
Follow Teachers Updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram. Get in touch with our editors at [email protected].
Discussion about this post