Following a formal invitation from the SoE fraternity, the Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Prof. Olive Mugenda, together with members of University Management Board, made a spectacular unprecedented visit to the School of Education on the afternoon of Wednesday 22nd February 2012.  There was song and dance to welcome the Vice Chancellor (VC) as she entered the SoE Quadrangle. After signing the visitors’ book in the Dean’s office, and having a brief discussion with Chairpersons of Departments in the School Boardroom, the VC made a physical tour of the SoE Quadrangle, inspecting the general infrastructure and talking with staff as well as students who were studying in the vicinity. Thereafter, the VC proceeded to the Kenyatta University Conference Centre (KUCC) where the over 150 SoE academic staff members were awaiting to dialogue with her. There was brief moment of entertainment from the KUTT whose presentation aptly reflected the mood of the theme of the occasion titled; “Dialoguing for Teamwork & Greater Achievements in Quality Education services ’’. Before inviting the VC to talk to staff and share her vision of the School, the Dean, SoE, Prof. Fatuma Chege briefly outlined the issues of concern to the School and presented to the VC with a detailed memorandum that entailed the School’s vision of becoming a globally competitive hub of excellence in  university professional teacher education.
In her speech, the VC expressed appreciation for the invitation which she described as historical, adding that no School had ever invited her to their midst. The Vice Chancellor highlighted the current academic and infrastructural development that KU has made in line with the KU Strategic and Vision Plan (2005-2015). She revealed that in this Vision Plan, the SoE is among the very first Schools that would be elevated to college status, and would be called the School of Education and Lifelong Learning.  The VC went on to commend the SoE for excelling in student enrolment and completion, with the current population close to 15,000. Out of this population, approximately 1,200 are registered postgraduates (Masters and Doctoral levels). This notwithstanding, the VC also challenged the SoE to engage more in grants writing and fundraising so as to help in infrastructural and other physical developments of the University, which include the revival of Journals among other relevant activities. She encouraged the staff to venture vigorously into research activities and explore the use of modern technology in teaching and supervision, arguing that this would greatly help address the challenges of scarcity of human resource. During plenary session, members of staff responded to the VC’s speech in an open and frank manner while appreciating the honour of her visit.  The VC expressed appreciation for the invitation to dialogue and promised to study the SoE Memorandum with the aim of responding as appropriately as possible.