Role of Institutions of Higher Learning in Enhancing Sustainable Development in Kenya

Abstract

Education brings about a change in the individual which promotes greater productivity and work efficiency. It remains a major component in the development of human resources and it accounts for much improvements in population quality and environmental resource management; hence, sustainable development. Improvement of human resources is not limited to the inculcation of skills and knowledge, but includes having values, positive attitudes and motives consistent with the goals and methods of development plan that will benefit the future generations. The study ascertains the role of Marist International University College (MIUC) in the enhancement of sustainable development in Kenya.  It adopts a qualitative approach/paradigm and it specifically uses case study in its design. The sample size of the study consists of 15 respondents; 10 graduating students and 5 staff members. In-depth interview and document analysis guides consisting of five main research questions are used for data collection. The result of the study reveals that MIUC educates its students to be agents of liberation, transformation and development. However, it is faced by the challenge of financial constraint and limited programmes. This implies that only few students benefit from its curricula; hence the rate of diffusion of wealth of knowledge for sustainable development nationwide is low. In conclusion, the study recommends to the government to fully fund private universities as it does to public universities and it also advises MIUC to develop more attractive and market driven programmes.

Keywords: Role, institutions of higher learning, enhancement, sustainable development