Alumni Hub;The JKUAT Alumni Business Centre.
The Wednesday segment on this website usually publishes stories about JKUAT alumni with an aim of showcasing what the great men and women who passed through the University are up to and how they are positively transforming the society. Today we take a slightly different path to take a peek at the association that seeks to bring together all JKUAT alumni with the aim of emphasizing its significance and bringing the entire JKUAT community on board. The JKUAT Alumni Association was revitalized in December 2010 after the University established a need for a re-energized alumni community. An ad hoc committee was set up to develop an action plan for revamping the association. This would then productively culminate in the establishment of the directorate of Alumni and International Students’ Office (ALISO), the Board of Alumni Affairs (BAA), and the JKUAT Alumni Association (JKUATAA). The JKUAT Alumni Association derives her authority from Section 19 of the JKUAT Act of 1994.
The Association was fully registered in 2012 with registrar of societies. The Association fosters to establish a number of initiatives that would be of benefit not only to the university but also to the members in equal measure. The Association is currently in the process of re-engineering the Alumni Incubation Centre, which will enable members to group themselves into areas of interests, help in build careers and establish jobs for Alumni. Through this the association hopes to tap back the distinguished alumni, who with their achievements are branding the university positively, into an ambassadorial rank. In addition, the Incubation Centre will facilitate the Association to implement the transfer of knowledge and experience through an alumni-student mentorship program.
The Association has a series of annual events which give a platform for Alumni to reunite and network as well as giving back to the University through student mentorship. The events are as follows:
- Student mentorship day
- Alumni sports day and reunion
- Distinguished Alumni awards
OFFICIALS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Arch. Christopher Naicca – Chairman
Christopher Naicca is the current Chairman of the JKUAT Alumni Association. He is also a former chairperson of the students union of the University. Having pursued a Barchelor of Architecture in the University, Naicca is currently a registered Architect practicing in Nairobi. He is also the Executive Director at Design Source Ltd, one of the most exciting and successful young firms in the Eastern Africa region. His professionalism and expertise in the construction industry have seen him earn the respect of his peers, who have voted him to be a member of the Governing Council of the Architectural Association of Kenya, the highest decision making organ in the Architectural Association.
Dr. Saoke Churchill – Secretary General
Dr. Saoke is Secretary to JKUAT Alumni Association. He holds a Doctorate degree in Physics specializing in Wind Energy Engineering from JKUAT, Masters degree in Physics from JKUAT and Masters of Arts in Diplomacy and International Relations from University of Nairobi. His interests are in areas of study in the field of applied physics especially renewable energy, promoting appropriate technology for sustainable development, International cooperation to promoting ideals of international peace and security as well as the advancement of national interests through diplomacy.
Eng. Butichi Ramadhani Khamisi – Vice Chairman
Butichi is the vice-chairman of JKUAT Alumni Association. He holds a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from JKUAT and is currently pursuing M.Sc. in Construction Engineering and Management at JKUAT. He has been a JKUAT student union leader and also served as the East Africa Community Student Union President. He is currently the Resident Engineer of Isiolo Airport working with the Kenya Airports Authority. He is a member of the Engineers Board of Kenya as a Professional Engineer and also a Corporate Member at the Institution of Engineers of Kenya.
The Alumni Association Business Centre
Inspired by the need to drive entrepreneurship among graduates as an important endevour to creating jobs, the alumni association established the Alumni Business center, which basically incubates businesses by supporting and facilitating Alumni as they build and develop themselves and their business ideas. It is also a facility where JKUAT Alumni can socialize, network and host their businesses at a subsidized cost. This facility is available to any alumnus/alumna who has interest in business. The center which also hosts the association’s secretariat is located at Woodlands Office Park, Suite 3A, Woodland Road, Off State-house Road.
The spaces available are categorized in two, namely:
- Open plan set-up: Single desk, Storage cabinet (cost is Ksh. 8000 per month)
- Closed office for 2 occupants: Two occupants (2 desks office), Storage cabinet (Cost is Ksh. 25000 per month)
The overall benefits for users include;
- Use of reception and waiting area
- Use of board room
- Free internet
- Use of office postal and physical address
- Use of office phone
- Use of kitchenette and break away area
The association is now exploring ways of starting an alumni Sacco to promote investment among alumni and financing for alumni initiatives. The Sacco will be up in a few months and we look forward to partnering with different finance institutions to promote business growth among young people.
The University takes great pride in the JKUAT alumni and it goes without saying that different alumni who have passed through the institution have made and are making great impact in the society, which is one of the greatest long-term goals of the University. This is therefore a call to action to all JKUAT alumni out there to register with us through this link https://goo.gl/VbX54h to enable us tell their stories, what they have been up to, their current jobs, engagements, initiatives, innovations in order to effectively create an alumni community in which great minds can brainstorm, reflect, strategize and transform the society.
