Governor Jonathan Bii’s administration has facilitated acquisition of 104 Visas for students set to travel to various foreign instituitions, to harness overseas education programs.

The group of students who will get their Visas include 56 joining Laurea University to study Physiotherapy and Nursing Courses and another 48 who will enrol to Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology to study Engineering.

On Monday, Governor Bii and his Deputy Engineer John Barorot, met more than 300 parents of the students that are expected to travel and those whose children are already studying in Finland at the County multi-purpose hall for a consultative meeting to discuss measures that have been initiated by his administration to streamline the program.

The County boss assured the parents that his administration is seeing to it that parents become trustee members in the program, to have more say in the implementation and management of the program.

”I want to encourage you not to give up or lose hope. This program is a very noble idea that should be supported to benefit our children. Lets us ensure we don’t politicize (the program) but find ways of solving challenges that are raised, amicably.”

There might be different thoughts about this program but the best thing is to liaise and make inquiries at the concerned government offices and officers,” Governor Bii Said.

Eng. Barorot said the county will be signing an agreement with the parents to make it clear the responsibility of the parents and that of the County Government, have elaborate financial records and organise regular meetings with parents for transparency.

”The delays in the issuance of Visas had nothing to do with the County Government but were triggered by many challenges that were global and affected other nations, now things are moving,” says the DG.

I would like to ask parents to speak out to the students who have not travelled and tell them that the County Government is committed and they will travel soon. Otherwise, I would like to encourage parents to pay fees promptly,” Eng. Barorot said.

Eng. Barorot added that other new measures to ensure transparencies are the opening of a new account that will be run by parents officials as signatories and a new team at the County Government, regular communication with the universities management and students and anchoring the program to the highest office in the County.

Currently, the total number of students facilitated under the County Government of Uasin Gishu program is 202 and is distributed in five Universities in Finland including Laurea, Tampere, LUT, Gradia and Metropolia.

The parents thanked the county for organising the meeting and requested more engagements to end speculations and rumours that cause unnecessary fear about the program.