Laikipia University reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence, student-centred service delivery, and institutional accountability through the successful hosting of its inaugural Academic Open Week 2026, held from 20th to 24th July 2026 at the Vision 2030 Hall.
Organized by the Office of the Registrar (Academic Affairs) under the theme "Enhancing Student Support, Academic Excellence and Parental Engagement," the week-long initiative provided a centralized platform where students, parents, and guardians accessed academic and administrative services efficiently under one roof.
Leadership Commitment to Quality Service
The event was officially launched by Professor Guyo Sarr Huka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic, Research and Student Affairs), alongside Professor Robert Mwebi, Registrar (Academic Affairs).
In his keynote address, Prof. Huka emphasized the University's commitment to quality education, responsive service delivery, and continuous improvement. He noted that the Academic Open Week created an opportunity for students and parents to engage directly with University leadership and staff, enabling timely resolution of academic and administrative matters. He encouraged students to fully utilize the centralized service model, which brought together all key student support services in one convenient location.
Prof. Huka commended the Office of the Registrar (Academic Affairs), Schools, TVET Directorate, and participating departments for demonstrating teamwork, accountability, and a shared commitment to enhancing the student experience.
Comprehensive Student Services Under One Roof
Welcoming participants, Prof. Robert Mwebi described the initiative as Laikipia University's own "Huduma Centre", designed to ensure that no student is disadvantaged by administrative challenges which are avoidable. He urged staff to deliver professional, timely, and customer-focused services while encouraging students to present all outstanding academic concerns for immediate attention.
Services offered during the week included academic advising, missing marks resolution, examination record verification, transcript enquiries, programme consultations, unit registration support, graduation clearance, academic progression guidance, and credit transfer consultations.
Students also accessed counselling and psychosocial support, career guidance, welfare services, academic mentorship, fee payment guidance, financial clearance, fee statements, government funding and banding information, ERP support, student portal assistance, password recovery, and ICT support.
Lasting Impact and Future Direction
Strengthened Leadership Engagement. Throughout the exercise, Prof. Huka and Prof. Mwebi interacted directly with students, parents, and staff, reinforcing the University's leadership culture of accessibility and customer-focused service. In addition, direct interactions between deans, Chairpersons of Departments, students, parents, and staff reinforced transparency, accessibility, and a customer-focused culture, strengthening stakeholder confidence in the University's service delivery.
Fostered Resolution of Academic Matters. Numerous long-standing issues, including missing marks, examination records, programme requirements, unit registration, and transcript queries, were successfully resolved during the exercise. Cases requiring additional approvals were documented for follow-up, ensuring accountability and continuity.
Enhanced Interdepartmental Collaboration. Bringing academic and administrative departments together under one roof significantly improved coordination, enabling faster decision-making, streamlined service delivery, and more effective resolution of student concerns.
Improved Student Welfare Support. The Academic Open Week identified student welfare challenges, including substance abuse and limited digital accessibility among a small number of students. Some students didn’t have mobile phones to track their academic records or to contact their parents while at the University. These cases were promptly referred to the Counselling Department for intervention and continuous follow-up, reaffirming the University's commitment to holistic student development and success.
Increased Institutional Visibility and Stakeholder Confidence. The initiative showcased Laikipia University's dedication to accessible, efficient, and student-centred services, strengthening communication with students, parents, and guardians while enhancing the University's public image.
Continuous Improvement in Service Delivery. Valuable lessons and stakeholder feedback gathered during the exercise will inform future Academic Open Weeks, enabling the University to continually refine its academic support systems and deliver even more responsive services.
The success of the inaugural Academic Open Week marks another significant milestone in Laikipia University's journey towards delivering accessible, efficient, accountable, and student-centred academic services.
- Log in to post comments