On 11^th February 2014, the KENET team visited South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU). The University main campus is located in Kitui County in a serene and conducive learning environment, 12 Kilometers off Kwa Vonza Market, along the Kitui-Machakos main road. SEKU has witnessed tremendous growth and currently offers various certificate, diploma, undergraduate and post graduate programmes. The University has other campuses namely Kitui Town Campus, Machakos Town Campus, Wote Town Campus, Mtito Andei Campus and Nairobi Town Campus. The University has over 6,000 students registered in the various campuses with the bulk of them studying at the University main campus.

The purpose of the visit to SEKU by the KENET team was to light the fiber. The lighting of the fiber would establish a connection between the router (located in Hostel 9) and the Northern block, thus allowing SEKU Community to use the KENET radio that is terminated at the old server room. The lighting of the fiber will provide SEKU with higher capacity link that will allow SEKU constituents to have access to higher and faster bandwidth.

Internet technology is penetrating faster than any other form of communication ever invented in the world. Its benefits in academic arena are beyond measure. It plays a role in research, dissemination of information and expedient communication. To this and in line with Its vision “Being a globally competitive centre for excellence in teaching, research, innovation and service”, the University has undertaken various ICT related initiatives. To mention but a few, SEKU computer labs are open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 10pm and on Saturday from 8am to mid-day. According to Mr. Obwaya Mogire, Director, School of Information, Communication and Technology, “The current connectivity at SEKU is good and very beneficial to students who use it wisely and effectively. We hope to get dedicated computer laboratories for my school which will allow us to use internet while teaching”. The University has also expanded its ICT infrastructure through creating campus wide area networks and hotspots at strategic locations like student hostels, the library, and computer labs. “Most of the students at SEKU have their personal devices and would love to work from any part of the Campus but the, Wi-fi hotspots are limited to the library, and a few hostels. I would love to be able to do research online from the comfort of the class as the teacher teaches” says Ms. Leila Anyango a third year student pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce. In addition, the University has implemented an ERP system, voice communications services, Network infrastructures services, user support and maintenance services. According to Mr. Mark Rimiru, Ag. ICT Director, “Connectivity has helped to improve services rendered to the publics of the university through ERP systems, which have helped to integrate and facilitate the flow of information across all functions within the University”.

KENET hopes to walk by SEKU as they further expand their network services to meet the needs of students and faculty.