Kabarak University continues to assert its leadership in excellence and innovation, as demonstrated today by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Henry K. Kiplangat, PhD, MBS, OGW, who delivered an impactful presentation during the ongoing Annual Management Representatives and Auditors Conference at Serena Beach Resort in Mombasa. The conference, which began on Tuesday, November 26th, and runs until Friday, November 29th, 2024, is themed “Sustaining Excellence: Quality and Compliance in a Changing World.” It has brought together leaders, auditors, and management representatives to deliberate on strategies for advancing quality and compliance in today’s dynamic environment. Prof. Kiplangat’s presentation, titled “Driving Continual Improvement: Role of Leadership,”  emphasized the importance of leadership in achieving incremental progress and aligning organizational goals with strategic objectives. Highlighting leadership as a key driver of progress, he urged participants to reflect on their roles in creating environments that enable teams to deliver meaningful results.

Prof. Kiplangat discussed key attributes essential for leadership, including self-awareness, self-management, integrity, and a relentless commitment to improvement. He also elaborated on the importance of vision, intellectual flexibility, and political astuteness in setting direction, alongside effective communication and collaboration in delivering results. His presentation provided actionable strategies for addressing common challenges in management systems, such as resistance to change, resource constraints, and short-term thinking, while advocating for prioritizing trust, clear communication, and resilience. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that continuous improvement is not a one-time initiative but an ongoing journey requiring visionary leadership, strategic planning, and active participation from all stakeholders.

Also in attendance at the conference were, Edwin Akumu, Director of the Directorate of Quality Assurance and Institutional Planning (QAIP), and Mr. Oscar Gidei, Data Management Officer (QAIP). The conference, hosted by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), has offered a platform for knowledge exchange among industry leaders on critical topics such as sustainability, resilience, and the strategic value of management systems. Other presentations have addressed themes like “Beyond Compliance: Strategic Value of Management Systems”  and “Ethics and Integrity in Management Systems,”  underscoring the need for leaders to align quality initiatives with broader organizational and societal goals. Prof. Kiplangat’s insights resonated with this overarching vision, positioning leadership as the cornerstone of progress and excellence.

Kabarak University, proudly certified with the ISO 9001:2015 standard for quality management, continues to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining the highest level of academic and administrative excellence. The University’s mission of providing holistic education based on Biblical Christian values is reflected in its efforts to prepare leaders equipped to address complex global challenges. As the conference continues through tomorrow, the discussions and insights generated will undoubtedly shape the future of quality assurance and compliance, with Kabarak University playing an active role in driving transformative change.