Mount Kenya University’s Intentions for Implementation: East African Network of Excellence for Universities of Applied Sciences

Mount Kenya University, Main Campus

The Kenyan Academic Context

Contact: yatich2002@gmail.com/hyatich@mku.ac.ke

http://www.odel.mku.ac.ke/index.php/2018/11/21/dr-henry-k-yatich-ph-d/

Higher education in Kenya is considered to be knowledge-based, hence not meeting the labour market needs. This has largely been contributed by massification and lack of practical-oriented training in some programmes.

Through the experiences gathered from the German’s Model of Universities of Applied Sciences, it is important to note that the UAS model  affords an opportunity to train and graduate competent, skill-based graduates in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

At Mount Kenya University, we have commenced the transfer of the UAS-Model of training through capacity building, curriculum review, and enhanced content delivery for Open, Distance and Electronic Learning.

Fundamental Questions to Ask Ourselves

Lessons learnt from HNU/THI:

  • The specific focus on society, industry, economic need when designing programme content and curriculum
  • The incorporation of relevant stakeholders in developing and designing programme content and curriculum
  • Curriculum Structure for Business School at HNU-Oriented towards specific industry/discipline such as;

– Business Studies in Healthcare Management

– Information Management Automotive

– Information Management in Healthcare

– Information Management and Corporate Communications

  • MKU proposed revision: Bachelor of Commerce – Microfinance Management

Implementation Area No. 1: Curriculum Review

Reviewed Bachelor of Commerce with faculty staff and industry players so as to meet local economic needs–Done and Ongoing:

  • We have commenced a revision of BCOM Programme with a Specific Specialization/Option targeting the Micro-Finance Sector: I.e.
  • This is being done jointly with SWISSCONTACT & School of Business and Economics.
  • It is expected to be rolled out from January, 2020.

Rationale for Bachelor of Commerce Curriculum Review

Key Deliverables:

  • SwissContact provides technical support to Microfinance sector in Kenya through capacity building and training.
  • As a result, they have a rich database and contacts with industry partners which Mount Kenya University (MKU) can harness.
  • They have been carrying out a need-based study in the microfinance sector in Kenya since 2003-hence the need for programme development.
  • The programme review uses the DACUM (Develop A Curriculum) methodology which was adopted from Swisscontact Bolivia.
  • The process focuses on a specific target group in a facilitated process to capture the major duties and related tasks for specific occupation, as well as, the necessary knowledge, skills, and traits.
  • The curriculum development incorporates full participation of various levels of staff and leadership of microfinance institutions including field staff, mid-level management, chief executive officers, board members and educational institutions.

Objective of the Reviewed Bachelor of Commerce Programme

The overall objective:

  • The overall objective of this collaboration is to improve service delivery in the microfinance sector and productivity through practical-oriented human resource to further deepen access to finance for smallholder farmers and management of MSMEs.

Specific objectives:

  • To facilitate development & delivery of microfinance training curriculum that provides practical-oriented skills in microfinance.
  • To equip students and personnel in the microfinance sector with market-driven relevant skills
  • To facilitate internship, mentorship and a platform for graduates to be acquainted with working in the sector.
  • To expose participants to the basic and technical skills of microfinance operations
  • To help enhance professionalism in the microfinance industry and build capacity for the microfinance institutions (MFI) sector.
  • Enhanced content delivery for the ODeL/Distance learning students to promote tutor-learner interaction through the use of lesson-based and android platform

Project target group:

  • The project targets continuing students, potential students and employees of microfinance organizations as well as other interested persons in developing a professional career in microfinance.

Implementation Areas No. 2: Industry Linkages

On 21st February 2019, Mount Kenya University through the Directorate of  Foundation organized a successful breakfast meeting with 20 industries under the umbrella of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Central Region chapter.

Industry Breakfast Meeting held at Mount Kenya University, Main Campus on 21st February 2019

http://mku.ac.ke/ebulletin/2019/02/26/mku-foundation-hosts-industries-to-a-breakfast-meeting/

The Meeting Highlights:

  • This was the first of a series of initiatives meant to forge strong partnership with the industry aimed at achieving the President’s Big 4 Agenda as well as enabling the University and the industry to realize their respective mission.
  • Representatives from the 20 industry partners suggested areas of possible partnership that will enhance practical-oriented training that qualifies students for the labour market and for individual transformation as envisaged in Mount Kenya University Mission.
  • The meeting resolved to form a technical working group that will spearhead the proposed areas of partnership and linkages that will include curriculum review, more extensive internship opportunities, and people-centred research collaboration.

Taskforce Objective:

  • That a working group/taskforce be formed to deliberative on the meeting recommendations of spearheading the linkages and strengthen the partnerships such as:
  • Consider the possibilities of splitting the SME’s and Big industries so as to identify specific areas relevant for collaboration
  • Work with KAM to identify industry needs and consider a representative of MKU in the board of KAM

Implementation Areas No. 3: Capacity Building

The following Meetings were informed of the Objective and Intentions of Areas of Implementation:

  • Two (2)-meetings with the school of Business and Economics were held which proposed the need for the Bachelor of Commerce programme review as opposed to programme development. This was arrived at considering the long and costly process of developing a new curriculum.
  • A presentation to the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Research Affairs were done. The experience and knowledge gained from the training was done and recommendation to direct the university towards practical-oriented training adopted.
  • The MKU participants were requested by the Deans committee to work closely with all schools, in offering advisory service regarding the practical-oriented approach.
  • This was for the purpose of exploring more opportunities and strategies to fully maximize the benefits resulting from practical-oriented approach.´

Implementation Approach, Challenges and Solutions

Implementation Approach:

  • Sensitization through open communication
  • Participatory/stakeholder/team-based approach
  • Lobbying for University Management Support

Challenges:

  • Lack of adequate financial support
  • Willingness by industry partners to cooperate with academic institutions-Apathy
  • Tight schedules and other work responsibilities

Overcoming the Challenges:

  • Application for grants and subsidies to supplement/cushion university funded activities and events (such as DAAD, KENET, and MKU/MAKERERE MOU’s for cooperative research)
  • Recognition and continued communication of collaboration benefits to industry partners
  • formation of task-forces involving the industry on chatting way-forward on areas of collaboration
  • Sponsoring events such as the Industry breakfast meeting
  • Recruitment of adjunct faculty, negotiation with university management on workload reduction based on set/mutual guidelines