MR. MATONYEI LELEI

The office of the Deputy Principal Academics (DPACAD) is in charge of Academics affairs in the Polytechnic. We ensure that our clients’ expectations as far as academic affairs are met in strict adherence to set academic standards. My office collaborates closely with the trainers, sponsors, support staff, trainees and other stakeholders to ensure curriculum delivery is effective and efficient.

The office of Deputy Principal Academics oversees formulation of academic policies that assures quality training in the polytechnic. The policies development process is widely researched, consulted and bench marked to ensure that only the best practices are applied in day to day running of the academic affairs. The policies ensure harmony in the Polytechnic academic operations leading to excellent trainees’ performance.

Research and Innovation are among the duties of the office of Deputy Principal Academics. My office coordinates the Research and Innovation activities in close collaboration with the nine Academic departments and Research & Development department. The Research and Innovation transform our trainees and mentor them to apply technology by developing innovations responsive to societal needs. Sighting a good example of an automatic chicken feeder; an agriculture innovation researched and developed by our trainees and trainers; which emerged the best countrywide in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and National Commission for Science Technology and exhibitions in 2018.

The Polytechnic is working towards shifting from Knowledge based programs to Competency Based Education and Training (CBET). The office of Deputy Principal Academics at forefront in nurturing partnerships with Kenya Education for Employment Program (KEFEP), industry and TVET Curriculum Development Accreditation and Certification (CDACC) towards development of  skill based and industrial relevant Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) courses.

The polytechnic is strategically located in the dominantly agricultural region which is referred to as Bread Basket of Kenya. The Polytechnic has upgraded its facilities and equipment with funding from Government of Kenya, Ministry of Education, State Department of Vocational and Technical Training; in a bid to live to its dream of being a Centre of Excellence in Agriculture. This stamps the Polytechnic relevance in this region and would help in imparting Modern Agricultural Skills that would impact positively to the farming population with the ultimate goal of attaining food security regionally and nationally.The polytechnic looks forward towards utilization of equipment by offering programs revolving around utilization of the land resource for wealth creation and food sustainability. The polytechnic also offer other skill based and industrial relevant programs which would ensure our graduate employability.

My office wish to encourage the trainers, support staff and trainees to cultivate a good academic culture that would lead to academic excellence. To this end my office has adopted an open door policy approach towards establishing a strong trainee – trainer relationship and teamwork among trainees aimed at attaining sustainable academic performance and uphold academic integrity. Motivation of trainees,support staff and trainers is my office strong point towards establishment of a fertile ground for academic excellence to thrive.

I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the role played by the industry and other stakeholders that contribute immensely towards meeting our objectives. Collaboration with industries on trainees’ attachment, internship and recently on curriculum development through Industrial Advisory Committees (IAC) has encouraged technology transfer among the trainees. These has led to exposure of the trainee to real work situations and emerging technologies at workplace for purpose of adapting to industrial new standards and contribute positively towards Vision 2030. The office of DPACAD encourages trainees to prioritize attachments as one of the key requirements to make them adaptive and employable in the industry.

We are grateful to our parents/guardians/sponsors and other stakeholders in TVET for entrusting us with the noble role of transforming the young Kenyans into a responsible and diligent workforce for our beloved country Kenya. We appreciate the role played by individuals, corporate and government agencies towards funding, sponsorship and trainees / programs support.