St. Paul’s University (SPU) continues to anchor itself at the forefront of educational transformation in Kenya. From June 8th to 12th, 2026, our very own Dr. Suleiman Mwangi, Director of Quality Assurance, served as a key facilitator at the high-level Commission for University Education (CUE) Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) Retooling Workshop.

Held at the Machakos University Hotel and Conference Centre, the intensive five-day workshop was a pivotal step toward equipping Kenyan universities for the future of learner-centered, industry-aligned education.

Empowering Higher Education Leaders

The workshop drew an influential crowd of over 60 university academic staff from both public and private institutions across Kenya. The cohort included:

• Vice-Chancellors and Deputy Vice-Chancellors

• Deans of Faculties and Schools

• Directors of Quality Assurance

• Senior Lecturers and Researchers

The primary goal? To aggressively strengthen institutional capacity in developing, delivering, assessing, and quality-assuring university programmes within the modern CBET framework.

Driving the CBET Agenda: Key Focus Areas

Dr. Mwangi was among an elite team of four facilitators who guided these academic leaders through the foundational shifts required by CBET. The rigorous curriculum covered five core pillars crucial for the evolution of higher education:

• Foundations and Rationale for CBET: Understanding the 'why' behind the shift from traditional knowledge-based learning to competency-based execution.

• Programme Structure Design and Learning Outcomes: Mapping out curriculums that prioritize tangible, real-world capabilities.

• Translating Learning Outcomes into Assessment: Designing robust assessment methods that accurately measure student competence rather than just memorization.

• Active Learning Methods and Student Engagement: Moving away from passive lecturing and toward dynamic, student-led classrooms.

• Aligning Work Experience with CBET Principles: Bridging the gap between the lecture hall and the industry by embedding meaningful practicums into the curriculum.

Driving Impact and Quality Assurance

Dr. Mwangi’s involvement highlights St. Paul’s University’s deep commitment not only to upholding internal academic excellence but also to driving the national higher education agenda. As universities nationwide transition to meet the demands of a rapidly changing workforce, quality assurance remains the linchpin that ensures these new frameworks are both rigorous and impactful.

"CBET is not just a curriculum change; it is a mindset shift. By equipping university leadership with the tools to effectively develop and quality-assure these programmes, we are ensuring that the next generation of Kenyan graduates are truly industry-ready."

We congratulate Dr. Suleiman Mwangi for excellently representing St. Paul’s University on this national platform and contributing to the bright future of university education in Kenya!