BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) was established in 1979 in Nakuru County of the then Rift Valley Province. It is located ten Kilometres west of Nakuru town along Nakuru- Njoro Road. The Institute is the brainchild of the leaders and people of Rift Valley Province led by His Excellency Hon. Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi CGH, the Second President of the Republic of Kenya who had a vision to set up an institution that would promote the advancement of education and development in the region. Through their effort they were able to mobilize funds through generous contributions from communities and people of the Province through the spirit harambee which led to purchase of land and establishment of fully fledged Technical Institute. The Institute has played a significant role in education of youth contributing in creation of employment in both the public and private sector and spurred development in the region and country.

This vision is in tandem with GOK vision 2030 which is envisaged to build capacity of Human Resource to support and realize wholistic development of the country.

H.E. D.T. Arap Moi is the Chairman and Patron of the Institute and has given support in the development of strategic plan, vision and mission. In the past years he has presided over functions in the institute among them presiding over graduation ceremonies.

The day to day management is vested in the Board of management under the able stewardship of Mr. Harun K. Bomet.

Currently, the Institute is established and is offering diverse courses envisaged by its founders to have significant impact in the empowerment of the Youth and contributing to national development. As of now, the Institute has grown steadily over the years and has a student population of over 4000 students, 203 academic staff and 148 non teaching staff.

Improvement of Infrastructure

i. Construction of a Modern Science Lab Complex

The Institute is currently constructing a modern science laboratory complex. The main purpose is to improve on facilities that will support development of skills in the areas of analytical chemistry, food sciences, medical lab and pharmaceuticals.

In the complex, one block has three Classrooms, two Science Laboratories and other related office and social amenities. This project is sponsored by the Ministry of Higher Education and Treasury through the Economic Stimulus Package II. On completion it will have costed 40M

ii. Library

The Institute is constructing a modern Library that will consist of 2 floors that will accommodate 1500 students per sitting. This will be a boost from the current 100 capacity. At the completion, the library will consist of print and e-Library section. We expect to have e-sites. The upper part will be multimedia.

This will ensure that members of the community can access books and on-line materials easily and comfortably thus participate fully in research locally and internationally. The project is funded by Government of Kenya development fund.

iii. Installation of Standby Generator

We are planning to install a big capacity generator. Since its inception, the Institute has been relying on one source (KPLC main supplies) for supply of electricity for lighting, to run computers and teaching equipment in workshops. We have experienced challenges during periods of outages/blackouts affecting our running programmes. Through the GOK and Peoples Republic of China we are installing a 600KVA standby generator which will sort out issues of blackout in RVIST.

iv. Rapid Prototyping Machine

We are installing one of the most modern equipment through support of GOK and Peoples Republic of China. This machine is going to be the first one in Rift Valley, Central Kenya and Nairobi Region. This machine has many functions and it will be a factory within the Institute. The machine is capable of producing vehicle spare parts, accessories for motorcycles and bicycles as well as Packaging products used in food industry. This machine is earmarked for Installation in December 2011. We are inviting stakeholders in industry to visit the Institute to acquaint and prepare themselves to get products for their industry. It has Reverse Measurement, Rapid Prototyping, Rapid Moulding, and Electrical Arc spraying machines. These machines will cost the Government of Kenya 150m.

v. Pavements

The Institute workshops and classrooms are served by concrete pavements complete with ramps to ensure ease of movement for all, as per the college disability mainstreaming policy.

vi. Computerization

The institute established a website www.rvist.ac.ke, and students can now download their results online. Potential students are able to download the prospectus and advert whereas the alumni can register and exchange information. The teaching staff can send and receive mail through the rvist.ac.ke domain name. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is incor­porated in teaching our students. Staff and students can access high speed Internet with either cable or WIFI on 24 hours basis. This opportunity creates greater enthusiasm for learning amongst students and offers access to a wider range of learning resources to all.

ISO 9001:2008

The Institute launched Quality Management System (QMS) based on ISO 9001:2008 on 15^th March 2011. This has enabled the Institute to continue enhancing customer satisfaction through effective, efficient, timely, and transparent provision of services.

Farming Activities

The college is now self sufficient through the farming production units that produce all types of vegetables, wheat, maize, beans, chicken and milk. We also train in milk production and breeding. The college has invested in three modern greenhouses for purposes of tomato production and teaching.

Curriculum Implementation

In order to prepare adequately to achieve the Vision 2030, RVIST offers full-time and part-time courses from Certificate to Higher Diploma level. The courses are of­fered in 7 departments: Agriculture and Mechanical Engineering, Building and Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics, Computer Studies, Hospitality and Tourism, Liberal Studies and Business Studies.

RVIST uses syllabi approved by the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE), Kenya Account­ants and Secretaries Board (KASNEB), City and Guilds of London, among others. The students are examined by Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), KASNEB, City and Guilds, Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), Association of Business Ex­ecutives, ICDL among others

Nakuru Town Campus

RVIST has 2 Town Campuses in Nakuru town which offer competitive courses at convenient locations to meet the needs of the clients and make training more acces­sible in line with TIVET policy. The campuses are located at Sansora Plaza along Moses Mudavadi Road, Opposite the Nakuru District Commissioner’s Headquarters and at Prestige Mall along Nairobi-Nakuru Highway. RV­IST has established a partnership with a US institution - Delta College of Michigan State, USA. Delta College donates computers, medical equipment, textbooks and other education materials to the Institute.

Support by Ministry

RVIST would like to thank the Ministry of Higher Education Science and Technology for availing funds which have enabled us to construct 16 new classrooms (complete), the Library complex (on-going), science lab complex (on-going) and award­ing bursaries to our students through GOK and KESSP funds which have gone a long way to assist those who are needy. This has increased the students’ completion rate.

Co-curricular Activities

Our students are also active in co curricular activities and participate in Ball games, Drama, Music, Local and International Marathon meets, Athletics, and Indoor games among others. The Institute, courtesy of Chief Principal Mr. E.K. Koimet, hosted the National KETTISO games between 31st March and 1st April 2011 with thirty five (35) Technical Training Institutions from all over the country participating. In Drama the institute was represented in the Nationals held at Lenana High School and received awards in several categories. In the recent Standard Chartered Marathon an RVIST runner was ranked 6^th position.