University Appointments- Chancellor, Council Chair & Member
In compliance with the provisions of the Universities Act No. 42 of 2012, Sec 38 on appointment of a chancellor of a private university and pursuant to the Mount Kenya University (MKU) Charter 2011, Sec 9, MKU Board of Directors is delighted to appoint Prof John Struthers as the Chancellor, Mount Kenya University.
University Chancellor – Prof. John Struthers, MA(Hon), Mphil, FRSA, FHES.
Prof John Struthers is an experienced scholar, respected economist and effective leader with more than 40 years’ experience in academia, research and administration in United Kingdom and African universities.
He has published widely in a range of notable economics journals. A longstanding member of the Westminster Africa Business Group in London, he was appointed Honorary Consul for Ethiopia in Scotland in 2015. Prof Struthers has gained professional recognition from various bodies. In 1993, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London (FRSA) and in 2007, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA, UK).
He was appointed as a Personal Professor at the University of West of Scotland (UWS) (then the University of Paisley) in 1996. He has been Dean of a Faculty of Business at UWS, Head of Department of Economics and Enterprise, and founding Head of the UWS’ Graduate School.
In November 2015, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Centre for African Research on Enterprise and Economic Development (CAREED) at UWS, and is the Centre’s current Director.
University Council
In compliance with the provisions of the Universities Act No. 42 of 2012, Sec 35 on appointment of a Council of a private university and pursuant to the Mount Kenya University (MKU) Charter 2011, Sec 13(1), the following persons have been appointed to serve in the MKU Council.
University Council Chairman – Prof. David K. Serem, PhD, OGW.
Prof. Serem, a seasoned educational administrator and researcher, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Mount Kenya University (MKU) Council. He holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Administration of Higher Education from the University of Wyoming, USA.
He is Professor in the Department of Educational Management and Policy Studies, Moi University. He has served as Head of Department, Dean, Principal, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Ag. Vice Chancellor in various universities in Kenya.
As the pioneer Principal of Narok University College, he nurtured the institution until it was awarded Charter in February 2013. Prof Serem was also among the pioneer staff of Maseno University College, which was established in 1990. He is a member of several professional associations, among them the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) where he currently is a full member of Board of Fellows.
Prof Serem has served as a Board Member of Kenya Airways, the National Housing Corporation (NHC) and the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI).
In 2000, President of the Republic of Kenya, Daniel Toroitich arap Moi awarded Prof Serem the Order of the Golden Warrior of Kenya (OGW), in recognition of the don’s distinguished service to Maseno University College.
Prof Serem has undertaken several courses and attended several Seminars in Management including Corporate Governance. In addition, Prof Serem has taught and supervised postgraduate students at Master’s and Doctoral levels. He currently serves as a Chairman of Kipkeino High School and is a member of Board of Management of Kapsabet Girls Secondary School, Nandi County.
University Council Member – Ms. Mary Munyiva Olubayi
A renown educationist and entrepreneur, Ms. Olubayi holds a Master of Education Degree in Educational Administration and Planning from The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).
She also holds a certificate in Transformational Leadership from the International Leadership University (IUL). Ms. Olubayi has taught in various high schools and lectured part-time in Educational Management and Philosophy of Education at Tangaza College and Marist International College.
Ms. Olubayi is the founder and Director, St. Nicholas Teachers Training College, St. Nicholas Junior Academy & St. Nicholas Centre for Professional Studies. She has served the education sector in various capacities in both the public and private sectors. She is a member of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD); Secretary of the Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA) Nairobi County, and Chairperson of KPSA Embakasi Sub-County; Member of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Education Board and; Regional Chairperson of Kenya Early Childhood Education Private Institutions Associations (KECEPTIA). She is also a pioneer trainer in the CompetencyBased Curriculum (CBC).
Ms. Olubayi was in 2019 awarded by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Women in Business Chapter as the Winner of the Fastest Growing Women-led/owned Businesses. She has been in the forefront of supporting Girl Education in the marginalised areas. A transformational leader, she is also a renown Corporate Ethics and Governance Coach recognised by National Industrial Training Authority (NITA). She also serves in several schools’ Board of Management and Advisory Committees.
The entire Mount Kenya University community congratulates the Chancellor, Chairman of the University Council and the additional member of the University Council for their appointment.
