At the Leadership and Governance Conference in the United Kingdom, the Mount Kenya University Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, MKU Council Chairman Dr. Vincent Gaitho, Mount Kigali University Council Member Mr. Thomas Nganga, and Mount Kigali University Vice Chancellor Dr. Martin Kimemia gathered with global higher‑education leaders to discuss governance, leadership, and international collaboration.
Education leaders emphasized that African universities must revamp their governance structures and adopt strategic leadership to stay competitive, financially stable, and relevant amid artificial intelligence, tightening budgets, and growing accountability pressures.
During a visit to the University of the West of Scotland, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi and Dr. Vincent Gaitho met with Prof. Stephanie, Principal of Transnational Education Programmes, discussing ways to deepen academic ties, promote transnational education, and broaden international cooperation.
Gaitho remarked that the caliber of governance directly shapes institutional performance.
Dr. Vincent Gaitho and Mr. Thomas Nganga attended the Leadership and Governance Conference in the UK, where delegates from Mount Kenya University, Mount Kigali University, and other global institutions reviewed governance, institutional excellence, and international collaboration.
He urged university leaders to reassess the responsibilities of governing councils, questioning whether they merely supervise or actively shape institutional futures.
Professor Jaganyi presented a token of appreciation to Prof. Stephanie for her collaboration on transnational education initiatives during the delegation’s UK visit.
Gaitho argued that institutional success now hinges less on academic quality and more on robust governance and leadership.
He contended that governance should be treated as a strategic capability, requiring councils to balance safeguarding present interests with preparing institutions for future challenges.
Gaitho heads a joint delegation from Mount Kenya University and Mount Kigali University, comprising Vice Chancellor Prof. Jaganyi, Council Member Mr. Nganga, Chairman Dr. Innocent Mugisha, and Vice Chairman Dr. Martin Kimemia.
The delegationled by Vice Chancellor Martin Kimemia, Chairman Dr. Innocent Mugisha, Chairman Dr. Vincent Gaitho, and Council Member Mr. Thomas Ngangaparticipated in the Leadership and Governance Conference in the UK.
Gaitho stated that participation in international forums demonstrates MKU’s commitment to expanding global academic networks and supporting Africa’s development through research.
He outlined five core duties for governing councilsprotecting institutional missions, safeguarding resources, driving sustainability, fostering innovation, and monitoring performance.
Gaitho highlighted that high‑performing councils prioritize future opportunities, strategic risks, sustainability, and performance outcomes, moving beyond routine administration.
He declared that governance by intuition has ended, encouraging councils to base decisions on dashboards, financial analytics, risk reports, and student success metrics.
Gaitho urged councils to bolster expertise in technology, finance, risk, legal affairs, and innovation.
Rather than questioning who sits on a council, he stressed the importance of the collective competencies they possess.
He cautioned that universities often struggle with governance failures arising from councils encroaching on management, withheld information, and adversarial relationships between councils and executives.
He added that the quality of the relationship between governing councils and management is a critical determinant of institutional success.
He summed up that good governance builds confidence, effective leadership yields results, and together they forge enduring institutions.
The presentation underscored the rising significance of digital governance, with universities needing to address AI, cybersecurity, data governance, and digital transformation.
Gaitho noted that African universities confront a pivotal moment as AI reshapes education and employment, while conventional funding models wane.
He urged universities to diversify revenue, build endowments, commercialise research, and strengthen industry partnerships, as traditional funding models strain.
Gaitho further challenged institutions to equip graduates for future employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation‑driven economies, citing Africa’s youngest demographic.