My experiences with implementation

Approach

The German model of Universities of Applied Sciences appealed to me in many ways. Upon my return to Moi University, I sought to implement some aspects of Applied Teaching and Learning that I learnt. My immediate focus was on the teaching method for my undergraduate and postgraduate students. I looked for typical problems in wastewater treatment and biomass usage for energy production and gave to the students as mini projects. We held briefing sessions (paralleling the conceptual seminars used in UAS). The students were required to do the projects in groups of three and at the end of the semester submit a written report on the solutions generated as well as make a presentation on the same.

Challenges faced

1. Some of the students were not comfortable with this approach and openely voiced their concern claiming that it could require a lot of time to do the work.

2. It was not easy for the students to access relevant latest information from journal articles and books to adequately address the problems.

3. Lack of facilities at the University and lack of linkages with relevant industries made the assignemt not to be appealing to some students.

Problem solving

1. The students were encouraged to undertake the projects and make the best use of the resources available.

2. At the end of the projects, we had feedback sessions whereby I guided them on what options they could pursue when tackling such projects.

3. In the course of doing the projects the students developed confidence and some of those who were initially cold to the idea had a growing interest.

Recommendation

There was a general appreciation of the approach employed. Some of the students even said that it helped them to appreciate the study course better. I feel that aspects of the German model of UAS can be implemented readily in the Kenyan univerties to improve the quality of teaching and learning.