Professor John Odhaiambo, vice-chancellor receiving the Renewal Certificate from Eng (Dr) Kioko Mang'eli the Managing Director of Kenya Bureau of Standards (KeBS)

The ceremony was held at Strathmore University. Also present at the ceremony was Dr Joseph Sevilla, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Quality Assurance and members of staff of KeBS and of the university.

In his presentation speech, Dr Kioko noted that Strathmore is the first university in Kenya to be certified and should act as a role model to other universities including its graduates who can be ambassadors in quality service provision in their areas of operation nationally and regionally. He also congratulated SU for achieving a nearly paperless system that maximally utilizes technology in all office transactions.

In her welcoming speech, Mrs Catherine Muchira Gatei, head of Quality Assurance Department at Strathmore University said the certificate is a visible sign that the university is improving its service provision.

She noted that Strathmore had a head start in implementing QMS because the university always had a culture of excellence and implementing the QMS provided the means to formalize and solidify that culture.

Mrs Gatei reflected the certification has not come easy. "It has been a challenge. It has been hard work. And it will continue to be so. But we have implemented a commendable QMS and continue to improve it. We laud every effort that helps us fulfill the vision of our university - to be the leading out-come driven university entrepreneurial university in the region!"

The journey to the certification began in 2003. The advantages of certification include improved communication with customers, collection of progression data (helps identify areas of improvement and the setting of performance improvement objectives), documentation of business processes, maintaining a spirit of preventive action and immediate corrective action as an integral part of all the business processes.

Once the university identifies its performance improvement objectives, the faculties, schools and other academic units will be able to take the necessary measures to ensure that their goals are in line with the University's Strategic and Quality Improvement Plan of 2005 to 2010.