Embu | 29 September–1 October 2026: The Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) conducted a three-day capacity-building engagement at the University of Embu (UoEm) to facilitate the institution’s registration as a Qualification Awarding Body (QAB) and support the registration of its programmes and graduate records on the National Qualifications Database (NQD).
The engagement, from 29th September to 1st October 2026, brought together KNQA officials and University of Embu management and staff to strengthen understanding and implementation of requirements for qualifications registration and management under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF). The session saw registration of up to 97 programmes and over 11,000 graduate records.
The opening session was attended by university management and staff, led by the Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Research and Extension, Prof. Paul Nthakanio, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Daniel Mugendi Njiru.
The KNQA delegation was led by Council Chair, Hon. Stanley Kiptis, and Director General/CEO, Dr. Alice Kande. Also in attendance was Dr. David Watene, Director of Higher Education in the State Department of Higher Education and Research, representing the Principal Secretary, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala.
In welcoming the KNQA delegation, Prof. Nthakanio provided an overview of the University of Embu, highlighting its history and institutional milestones. He commended KNQA for its efforts towards harmonising Kenya’s education and training sector and expressed optimism that the University’s registration as a QAB would enhance the visibility of its qualifications in the job market.
Dr. Kande commended the University management for its hands-on approach to education and training matters, including its active participation in various KNQA related activities including technical working committees involved in developing policies that have influenced the sector.
The KNQA took the participants through KNQA’s mandate and the QAB registration process, including the requirements, implementation approach and measures for ensuring that institutional and graduate records remain accurate and continuously updated.
Dr. Kande further emphasised the importance of building a sustained partnership between KNQA and the University to safeguard the credibility and quality of qualifications. She noted that the engagement contributes to the broader implementation of the KNQF and Kenya’s national development objectives.
Hon. Stanley Kiptis highlighted the longstanding connection between KNQA and the University of Embu and encouraged continued collaboration to strengthen the institution’s contribution to Kenya’s qualifications system. He emphasized the role of the National Qualifications Database (NQD) in supporting credible and recognisable qualifications, as well as enhancing their portability.
Dr. Watene, representing the Principal Secretary, appreciated the University for embracing the registration process and commended KNQA for its efforts to harmonise the education and training sector. The Principal Secretary further called on institutions to ensure that information submitted for registration and qualifications management is accurate, complete, current and credible. She emphasised the need for higher education institutions to ensure that qualifications remain responsive to market demands and support learner mobility both locally and internationally.
The engagement at the University of Embu forms part of KNQA’s ongoing collaboration with institutions of education and training to strengthen qualifications management, enhance the visibility and credibility of qualifications, and support the effective implementation of the KNQF.
