Kenya Highlands University (KHU) Chancellor has urged universities across the country to take a commanding role in driving Competency-Based Education (CBE), saying higher learning institutions must now rise to the center of Kenya’s education reforms.
Speaking during KHU’s 15th graduation ceremony at the main campus in Kericho where a record 670 graduands were conferred degrees, diplomas, and certificates, the Chancellor said the shift from content-based to competency-based learning offers universities a moment to redefine their academic mission and national relevance. “The coming of a new education system of competency-based education needs to prepare us for forthcoming challenges. Universities must not remain spectators in this transformation. I want to urge Kenya Highlands University and others to lead the way in developing, testing, and refining competency-based education models that respond to national and global needs,” said Dr. Robert Langat.
He noted that meaningful university education must integrate theoretical grounding with practical exposure, industry-aligned training, and innovation-driven research, observing that CBE is designed to produce graduates who can think critically and apply knowledge to complex realities rather than memorizing information. “It is no use calling yourself a university when all you do is teach theory. A true university must be a center of research and innovation. Competency-based learning must enable graduates to analyze, create, and apply knowledge to solve problems in society,” said Dr. Langat.
The Chancellor added that Kenya’s global competitiveness depends on universities producing graduates who are adaptable, skilled, and ethically anchored. He emphasized that creativity, innovation, and integrity must become central pillars of the country’s education system. “Our institutions must intensify research, innovation, and collaboration to ensure that learning outcomes are not only measurable but also meaningful. The graduates we produce must be ready to offer solutions to contemporary challenges such as unemployment, climate change, governance, and technology adaptation,” said Dr. Langat.
He underscored that research must form the heartbeat of university training and the foundation of any viable CBE model. He challenged universities to build cultures of inquiry, experimentation, and continuous curriculum review.
“A university remains a college if it is not conducting research. The essence of competency-based education is to nurture problem solvers — men and women who can think critically and work collaboratively to transform society,” said Dr. Langat.
Dr. Langat further urged universities to enhance monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure that learning outcomes align with the country’s development blueprints such as Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). “We must ensure that our educational systems are not detached from national realities. Competency-based learning must be responsive, relevant, and practical, producing graduates who can drive innovation and sustainable growth,” said Dr. Langat.
He highlighted the need for stronger partnerships between universities, industries, and government agencies, saying such collaborations are essential in strengthening mentorship, skill development, and innovation incubation. He cited ongoing collaborations between Kenya Highlands University and global institutions such as Bethel University (USA) and local partners including Tenwek Hospital as models that bring CBE to life. “These partnerships enrich the learner’s experience, linking theory to practice while promoting research and professional exchange. That is the essence of competency-based education learning that is dynamic, practical, and globally connected,” said Dr. Langat.
While calling for heightened focus on technical skills, the Chancellor warned that moral formation must not be overshadowed. He observed that the nation’s moral fabric has been weakened despite high literacy levels, emphasizing the need for values-based education. “We are a highly educated nation, yet corruption and moral decay are evident in many sectors. Education must therefore go beyond skills it must shape character. Our graduates must be men and women of integrity who can transform the systems they enter,” said Dr. Langat.
He urged faculty members to embrace research-driven pedagogical reforms, noting that as a faith-based institution, KHU carries both an academic and moral responsibility to produce competent, value-driven graduates. “The competency-based approach will only bear fruit if it is accompanied by values-based learning. We are called to produce not just employable graduates, but visionary leaders, innovators, and servants of humanity,” said Dr. Langat.
The Chancellor concluded by reminding the nation that education is a long-term investment that shapes economic resilience, ethical consciousness, and social transformation, calling on universities to reposition themselves as engines of national renewal. “We must now see education not just as a personal achievement, but as a national investment. Our universities must become hubs of transformation, driving sustainable development through practical knowledge and integrity,” said Dr. Langat.
The ceremony, themed “Transformed to Transform: Equipped with Knowledge and Sent to Serve,” was attended by Council Chair Dr. Irene Ashenga, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Joseph Kiplangat, members of the Board of Trustees, faculty, parents, and church leaders.
In line with the growing transition to CBE, Kenya Highlands University sponsored by the Africa Gospel Church continues to integrate teaching, research, innovation, and values formation, reinforcing the role of university education as a pillar for producing competent, ethical, and globally competitive graduates ready for the future of work and service.
by Gilbert Mutai
