More needy students will have access to quality and affordable higher education following the launch of the Universities Fund Donations Platform, which is expected to expand the space for structured and coordinated resource mobilisation.
By creating an avenue for shared responsibility among stakeholders, the system will help to ensure that every student has access to funds.
Higher Education and Research Principal Secretary Dr Beatrice Inyangala said the platform will also complement government funding to universities.
Dr Inyangala hailed the move as a step in the right direction, underscoring that embracing tech-driven transformation will help UF transition into predictive funding, performance-based allocations and evidence-led planning.
“This is what shared responsibility looks like in the 21st century — not government doing everything, but government creating the ecosystem for everyone to contribute. This is the new Kenya: collaborative, data-driven, and digitally empowered,” she said during the launch of the platform on October 14 at Universities Fund offices in Nairobi.
Through the portal, well-wishers can donate to the Fund directly at the comfort of their homes. Donors only need to input their personal information such as email address, phone number and other billing details. The amount one can send is not limited.
UF acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Edwin Wanyonyi added that the platform will open up more opportunities for investment in critical areas such as research and innovation, special needs education and climate action initiatives.
Dr Wanyonyi said that the system will act as a catalyst to its resource mobilisation activities, which in the long run will provide universities with more resources to enhance their programmes.
“This system ensures that every contribution is traceable, every donor can see the impact of their support, and universities can access complementary resources to enhance their programmes,” he stated.
He said the plan feeds into the organisation’s strategic goals and higher education reforms agenda.
UF Board of Trustees representative Reagan Kaberi said crowdfunding is the current norm globally, allowing everyone to actively participate in financing higher education.
