Riara University – nurturing innovators

The Riara Story

Riara University was established under the Universities Act (2012), having been approved by the Commission for University Education to operate under a Letter of Interim Authority since 2nd August, 2012. The University is Fully Accredited by the Council of Legal Education. The Council of Legal Education, CLE is the statutory regulator of Legal Education and Training in Kenya, among other functions as stipulated in the Legal Education Act (2012).

Riara University is proud to have held the status of Full Accreditation from inception in 2012. In accordance with the provisions of the Legal Education Act, the University has undergone an inspection for re-accreditation after the statutory four (4) year period and is confident of retaining the Full Accreditation status.

The University holds Full Accreditation status from the Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board (KASNEB) as both a Training Centre as well as an Examinations Centre.

RU runs Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Secretary (CS) and Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD) course under this accreditation.

RU is also accredited by SAP under the SAP University Alliance Programme. SAP is a global leader in ICT Enterprise Application Software. Major Corporates globally run on SAP Systems, including Riara University.

Our Vision

To be a Centre of Excellence in scholarship, research and human resource development.

Core Purpose

Empowering Communities, Impacting Lives.

Value Statement

Excellence – We have only one standard excellence!
Leading by Example – We strive to lead by example.
Teamwork – We cultivate the spirit of teamwork.
Integrity – We are ethical and professional in our conduct.
Innovation – We encourage and reward innovation, especially breakthrough ideas.

Message from The Vice Chancellor

A very warm welcome to the RU family. You join a community of academics and scholars who are very keen on learning, discovery, scholarly engagement as well as vibrant and healthy social interactions. We are delighted that U R RU now. As the Vice-Chancellor, I wish for you to know that I am here for your success. You are in many ways the heart of RU, the very reason the institution exists at all. Your success is our proudest offering to the world. I hope to create relationships with you that will be mutually respectful and supportive, and that we will challenge each other to improve ourselves and the university. I take this opportunity to welcome students coming from all parts of the world, joining the university. Most of such students have moved away from the folds of their family and nation to another in their quest of knowledge. One needs to feel that they are just moving away from one family fold to another. Their teachers, seniors and peers, all form an extended family from whom they can look up for any guidance, support and help to move ahead in life as professionals in the study programs they have opted for. The university has highly qualified faculty in their respective fields of expertise. A large number of national and international conferences, seminars and workshops are organized by the university. Such events provide a variety of experiences to the students and inculcate skills such as leadership and team spirit which are helpful in their career. Our faculty members have been able to publish good quality research work in high impact factor journals of repute. There is an active interaction between faculty and students on the campus. The learning experiences in the campus paves a strong path for enhancement of overall development of the learners. I wish and assure you, on behalf of the University family, that we will help you pursue your objectives of life under the varied social, cultural and economic environment and make the University family proud of your attainments.

Meet Our Deans

Riara Schools

Riara Law School

Riara School of Business

Riara School of Computing Sciences

Riara School of Education

Riara School of Communication & Multimedia Journalism

Riara School of International Relations & Diplomacy

Registry Services

The Office of the University Registrar (OUR) serves as the custodian of student academic records, coordinates course enrollment and registration, and manages the student information system

Library Services

The Library provides high quality services to support the University’s teaching and research programmes. It offers a conducive environment for study with a seating capacity of about 600. The Library is fully automated and features a comprehensive, robust ICT infrastructure including a server, digital library, computers, high speed internet connectivity, wireless internet both inside and outside the Library, security systems, fiber optics backbone, IP telephony and e-mail services.
The Library has a rich collection of over 10,000 volumes of books catering for six undergraduate programmes currently being offered. In addition, we subscribe to a number of e-resources which give access to thousands of e-journals and e-books both on campus and remotely through off-campus access platform (remotexs).

Registration

Students will be admitted to RU at any time of the year by filling in an RU APPLICATION FORM, but they will generally report at the University at the beginning of each Semester. Some programmes may admit students at different times or less frequently. In addition to the minimum entry requirements, there may be programme specific requirements in respect of the mean grade, the subject cluster or individual subjects. Registration is done at the beginning of each semester. New student’s requirements during orientation:

Offer letter
Original and copies of certificates
Testimonials
Original Identification Card/Passport (Those who are underage should bring a copy of guardian’s ID)
One Passport size photo
Medical Form
Next of kin form
Sponsorship Form

International Students

International students are required to provide the following documents:
East African Applicant

Application form duly filled
Copy of National Identification Card/Passport
Copies of all academic Transcripts and Certificates (Originals MUST be shown to the Admissions Office upon admission)
1 (one) Passport size photo
Non-refundable fee of Kshs. 2,000

Non-East African (International) Applicant

Application form duly filled
Copy of Passport
Copies of all academic Transcripts and Certificates (include the translated copy where applicable. Originals MUST be shown to the Admissions Office upon admission)
1 (one) Passport size photo
Non-refundable fee of Kshs 2,000

Pupils Pass Processing

Have you provided the following additional documents?
Copy of Passport (Bio-data and Visa page)
Copies of all academic Transcripts and Certificates (include the translated and certified copy for non English speaking countries by public Notary/Embassy where applicable)
Two Passport size Photographs
Commitment Letter from the Parent/Guardian/Sponsor stating that he or she will cater for the fees and accommodation expenses during the period of study
Copy of Parent/Guardian Passport (Bio-data page)
Pupils Pass Processing Fee Kshs.5, 000 per year for International Students
Police clearance from the country of origin/ Certificate of good conduct if one has been in the country for more than 6 months.
Clearance from department of Refugee Affairs and valid UNHCR mandate for Refugees.

NB: Apart from Kenya all other students should have their qualifications converted by the KNQA (Kenya National Qualification Authority) before submitting to Riara University

Student Services

Administrative Assistants Contacts

Fee Payment

Payment may be paid by direct deposit into RIARA UNIVERSITY Account at any branch of the following banks:

1. Kenya Commercial Bank, A/C No. 1132688035, Prestige Branch;
2. NCBA, A/C No. 6960380019, Upperhill Branch;
3. MPESA Paybill No. 805702. Account Number REGISTRATION or ADMISSION number

Banker’s cheques will be accepted. Cash, personal cheques and postal orders WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Students Academic Handbook o Students Code of Conduct

Student Life

The Riara University experience goes beyond academics to ensuring an enriched personal development programme.
This is provided for through a wide range of activities of choice which include: sports, recreation, community service, clubs and societies, all of them student-driven.

Student Accommodation

As a modern and fast-growing city, Nairobi offers a diverse array of student accommodation options. They include hostels, furnished and unfurnished apartments, various kinds of rental arrangements and home stay amongst other options. Riara University partners with recognized hostel service providers to offer student accommodation.

Sports & Recreational Activities

Creative and fun ways of learning are part and parcel of an all-round education. Riara University offers an elaborate co-curricular programme that supports the physical, social and emotional growth of its students. Ultimately, Riara University intends to produce not just excellent academics and professionals, but also mold some of the finest sportsmen and sports women in Africa. Some of the sports available to students include basketball, football, swimming, pool, table tennis, darts as well as board games such as chess, scrabble and monopoly.

Clubs & Societies

Clubs and societies present are an excellent place for students to express themselves, develop soft skills, explore leadership, learn how to build relationships, build your resume, network, practice what you have learnt and execute projects. Riara University encourages & supports club activities on and off campus. Some of the well-established clubs include RU- ITECH, RU Christian Union, RU Law Society (RULS), RU Rotaract, RU Muslim Association (RUMSA), RU-MUN (Model UN), RU Broadcast Club amongst a host of others. Students are free to propose and come up with clubs and societies with the assistance of student leaders in conjunction with the Dean of Students Office.

The Students Centre

To make life more fulfilling for our students, Riara University set up a single hub for many of the activities and services needed to make the student experience as smooth as possible. The Riara University Students Centre is designed to host a wide range of student services, including Cafeteria Services, RUSA Offices, Indoor Sports Arena, TV lounge, Open Gardens, Innovation hub, Christian meeting room, Muslim Prayer Rooms, Relaxation Roof Top, Mentorship Hub, Health Services and other spaces all under one roof. There can be no dull moments for students when on campus.

Health Unit

Riara University runs a well-equipped health clinic which is able to handle students and staff healthcare matters all the time. The unit is located close to the student center and is run by qualified healthcare personnel and is open during official working hours. In addition the university has made provision for medical insurance that caters for emergency on-site medical care for all its students. The coverage includes ambulance services for transfer to hospitals in-case of medical emergencies.

The University is located close to the largest and best-equipped hospitals in the region, including Kenyatta National Hospital, The Nairobi Hospital, Nairobi West Hospital, and St Mary’s Hospital-Langata, where competent medical attention is available round the clock.

Externships

Students at the Riara Law School (RLS) will automatically have the opportunity to complete a Clinical Attachment (CA) as part of the programme; those in the School of Education will go for Teaching Practice (TP) while students in the School of Business, Computing Sciences, International Relations and Diplomacy and Journalism undertake Industrial Attachment (IA).

Community Services

Community involvement is the cornerstone of the Riara University Education philosophy. Each year many high school students enter institutions of higher learning to gain skills that will enable them to earn an income either as entrepreneurs or through employment. Majority may not realize that the skills gained have a direct impact on the society in which they live and that the training gained is not only beneficial to them but also to the society at large. The community service program is tailored to combine reflective learning with service towards a common good. The coordination office is established to ensure that the programs chosen and the service given by students are of high quality and sustainable over a long period of time. Service combined with learning adds value to each and transforms both (Honnet and Poulsen, 1989).

In order to qualify for graduation, students are required to take a minimum of 100 hours engaging in community based attachment where they are expected to offer their time and effort to improve the community. This unpaid work may be undertaken in children’s homes, orphanages, hospitals, disadvantaged schools, slums, prisons, juvenile courts, remand schools, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) etc. Such work may include legal aid, basic Information Communication Technology (ICT) services or any other charitable work as may be required.

The objectives of the program are:

To mold students to become responsible and provide patriotic citizens who are mindful of others in the society.
To develop positive vision, values and attitudes in students that will lead to positive character formation and transformation of society.
To enable students and the university to give back to the society as part of the University’s corporate social responsibility.
To establish networks with charitable, legal aid (LLB students) and other organizations as a foundation for job placement with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), humanitarian and other institutions.
To equip students with the skills necessary for responding to development challenges and problems.
To enable students to experience and be exposed to realities of life.

Career Preparation & Placement

In addition, Riara University Dean of Students Office in collaboration with reputable bodies & institutions has in place a Career Preparation and Placement Programme. The office seeks opportunities for work placement for RU graduates in a wide range of local and multinational organizations. For East African students, it is possible that, in a few years, a visa or work permit will not be required to work anywhere in the region.

Mentorship Programme

At Riara University, while pursuing a rigorous academic programme, we also provide students with mentorship. We assign experienced persons (mentors) to walk with the student part of the way, in order to enhance the student’s personal, academic and career prospects.

The Riara University Mentoring Programme (RUMP) is coordinated by the Office of the Dean of Students. Through this programme, Riara University students are exposed to support, guidance, friendship, role modelling, assistance, and an attentive ear. In addition, the programme ensures that informal, or non-structured mentoring takes place in all types of student programmes and services at the University.

The Mentoring Programme is structured as follows:

Lecturer-Student Mentoring

Lecturers are identified and involved in the programme to assist students who may be facing emotional and social challenges that may inhibit the realization of their full potential in academic and personal areas.

Professional Peer Tutoring

The programme matches experienced professionals with young and upcoming professionals to support their professional and personal growth.

Academic Support

As part of the student mentoring package, Riara University offers student academic workshops and individual consultations to support undergraduates as they transition from student to scholar. Students learn how to manage large reading loads, get the most out of course texts, take effective notes and create study tools, manage time, and overcome test anxiety or procrastination, among others.

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