A Strategy for A Strategy for ManagingManaging PhD PhD Research inResearch in

a Resource Challenged Environment a Resource Challenged Environment

at Kenyatta University, Kenyaat Kenyatta University, Kenya

ByBy

Simon Mang’erere OnywereSimon Mang’erere Onywere

Kenyatta UniversityKenyatta University

onyweres@yahoo.comonyweres@yahoo.com

REGIONAL EASTERN AFRICA REGIONAL EASTERN AFRICA CONFERENCE/WORKSHOPCONFERENCE/WORKSHOP

ONONQUALITY ASSURANCE IN HIGHER EDUCATIONQUALITY ASSURANCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION

66THTH-11-11THTH NOVEMBER, Nairobi Kenya NOVEMBER, Nairobi Kenya

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Africa

N. AmericaAsia

S. America

Europe

Antarctica

Australia

UNISTAFF 2006 – participating countries

KenyaUgandaMalawi

IraqIranPhilippiansVietnamIndonesia

Costa RicaHondurasGuatemalaArgentina

Germany

(4)

(6) (11)

Information presented is acknowledged to: UNISTAFF 2006

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

IntroductionIntroduction• Institutionalisation of quality management, as well as new Institutionalisation of quality management, as well as new

approaches to teaching and learning remain the focus of approaches to teaching and learning remain the focus of institutions of higher learning in Kenyainstitutions of higher learning in Kenya

• Ominde report , 1964; Gachathi Report, 1976; 45Ominde report , 1964; Gachathi Report, 1976; 45thth Report Report to the International Conference on Education, 1996; the to the International Conference on Education, 1996; the Koech Report, 1999 and Session paper No 1 2005Koech Report, 1999 and Session paper No 1 2005

• Public universitiesPublic universities in Kenya in Kenya have over the years played a have over the years played a major role in human capacity development at all levels in major role in human capacity development at all levels in the countrythe country

• To remain competitive both in Africa and in the world, To remain competitive both in Africa and in the world, Kenyan public universities need to engage in Kenyan public universities need to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration amongst themselves and interdisciplinary collaboration amongst themselves and with other institutionswith other institutions

• Public universities need to have a clear understanding of Public universities need to have a clear understanding of the factors that facilitate and/or impede the the factors that facilitate and/or impede the interdisciplinary collaboration process and quality interdisciplinary collaboration process and quality researchresearch

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Public Universities in KenyaPublic Universities in Kenya

• University of Nairobi, Nairobi University of Nairobi, Nairobi • Kenyatta University, NairobiKenyatta University, Nairobi• Moi University, EldoretMoi University, Eldoret• Egerton University, Njoro, NakuruEgerton University, Njoro, Nakuru• Maseno University, KisumuMaseno University, Kisumu• Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and

Technology, Juja, ThikaTechnology, Juja, Thika• Western University College of Science and Western University College of Science and

Technology, KakamegaTechnology, Kakamega

Duplication of programmes - compromising on Duplication of programmes - compromising on their mandatestheir mandates

Presence and participation of postgraduate Presence and participation of postgraduate students - lowstudents - low

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

• To cultivate rich and diverse collaborations there To cultivate rich and diverse collaborations there is need to:- is need to:- – Use the process of learning and teaching as a Use the process of learning and teaching as a

factor in collaborationfactor in collaboration

– Use collaboration as a motivating factor to Use collaboration as a motivating factor to receiving academic or other forms of credit receiving academic or other forms of credit including career progression and personal including career progression and personal developmentdevelopment

– – remove administrative barriers remove administrative barriers

– take steps to reduce risks associated with take steps to reduce risks associated with collaborationcollaboration

– foster an environment that encourages foster an environment that encourages researchers to collaborate across disciplinesresearchers to collaborate across disciplines

– give credit to give credit to funded research projectsfunded research projects

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Teaching and Learning at KUTeaching and Learning at KU

• The vision of Kenyatta University is in line with The vision of Kenyatta University is in line with the provision of the Kenya National the provision of the Kenya National Development Plan (2002 – 2008)Development Plan (2002 – 2008)

• To be a dynamic, inclusive and competitive To be a dynamic, inclusive and competitive centre of excellence in teaching, learning, centre of excellence in teaching, learning, research, and service to humanityresearch, and service to humanity

• Kenyatta University’s 2005-2015 Strategic Plan Kenyatta University’s 2005-2015 Strategic Plan targets restructuring of academic programmes targets restructuring of academic programmes and administrative units to address the vision.and administrative units to address the vision.

• The University’s teaching, learning and The University’s teaching, learning and research opportunities cut across diverse research opportunities cut across diverse disciplines offered to over 21,150 disciplines offered to over 21,150 undergraduate students and 1,264 undergraduate students and 1,264 Postgraduate Students (Ratio 16:1). Postgraduate Students (Ratio 16:1).

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

• Postgraduates represent only 6% of the student Postgraduates represent only 6% of the student populationpopulation

• The six schools The six schools (SE -56%; SHSS-10%; SPAS-13%; (SE -56%; SHSS-10%; SPAS-13%; SESHS-4%; SB-13%; SHS-4%) as well as Graduate SESHS-4%; SB-13%; SHS-4%) as well as Graduate School (GS)School (GS) with their 39 teaching departments with their 39 teaching departments have failed to attract critical numbers of have failed to attract critical numbers of postgraduate students postgraduate students

• SESHS and SHSS have adequate staffing levels to SESHS and SHSS have adequate staffing levels to engage in postgraduate research - their engage in postgraduate research - their postgraduate admission is lowpostgraduate admission is low

• Need to enhance postgraduate teaching and Need to enhance postgraduate teaching and training is emphasized due to current training is emphasized due to current environmental pressures both in Kenya and environmental pressures both in Kenya and worldwideworldwide

Teaching and Learning at KU----Teaching and Learning at KU----

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

land resource use challenges need training land resource use challenges need training programmes and research that build human programmes and research that build human capacity and provide repository of information for capacity and provide repository of information for planning, monitoring and management of planning, monitoring and management of resources. resources.

Training that build disaster resilient communities Training that build disaster resilient communities through strengthening capacity to mitigate, through strengthening capacity to mitigate, prevent, and respond to disasters within prevent, and respond to disasters within sustainable development framework. sustainable development framework.

• How then does the SESHS and the other schools How then does the SESHS and the other schools come to be involved in interdisciplinary research & come to be involved in interdisciplinary research & collaboration? collaboration?

• Does the University’s research agenda aim to Does the University’s research agenda aim to develop research facilities and laboratories develop research facilities and laboratories relevant to the training needs of postgraduate relevant to the training needs of postgraduate students?students?

• This questions and many others form the basis of This questions and many others form the basis of developing an interdisciplinary framework for PhD developing an interdisciplinary framework for PhD research at SESHS.research at SESHS.

Teaching and Learning at KU-----Teaching and Learning at KU-----

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Base in teacher educationHeavy on postgraduate diploma

Kenyatta University Identity

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Land Use Planning For Sustainable AgricultureLand Use Planning For Sustainable AgricultureUrban development, Environmental resource Urban development, Environmental resource managementmanagement

School of Environmental Studies and Human Sciences

Kenyatta UniversityDiversification of programmes

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

DevelopmentResearch(Country)

PostgraduateResearch

(Recognition)

StrategicResearch

(Relevance)

External needs Internal needs

Academic needs

Research needs institutional assessment

Kenyatta University’s research agendaKenyatta University’s research agenda

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Progression in the PhD Degree ProgrammeProgression in the PhD Degree Programme

• Admission with a masters degree or equivalentAdmission with a masters degree or equivalent

• PhD research candidates should consider:PhD research candidates should consider:– Appropriateness of the school Appropriateness of the school – Ability of school to provide quality, Ability of school to provide quality,

experienced supervisionexperienced supervision– Relevance of research interests and Relevance of research interests and

backgroundbackground– Capacity to meet the ongoing time, logistical Capacity to meet the ongoing time, logistical

and other requirementsand other requirements– Ability to support oneself for the duration of Ability to support oneself for the duration of

the researchthe research

• make an application for admission on a make an application for admission on a prescribed formprescribed form

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Procedure for processing application for PhD candidates

Announcement for application: March-May every year

Collect or download application form (Ksh 1000 - citizens or US$ 100 - non-citizens required with every application)

Send or Submit application form to Admissions Office (AO)

AO sorts forms according to Departments

AO remits the forms to Heads of Departments (HoD)

HoD informs DBPS to make evaluation of applicant

University Constitutes the Deans Committee to admit

Admitted candidates are sent letters of offer (June-July)To report for registration in the 1st week of September

Evaluated form is sent back to HoD for onward transmission to AO

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Admission/Enrolment date (September)

Semester 1 Semester 2

Start date 2January

Start date 1September

Start date 2September

Start date 1May

Attend inductionProgramme (1st 2 wks)

1st Six months of candidatureSubmit and present research proposal

1, 1st Wk March 2, 1st Wk July

Attend inductionProgramme (1st 2 wks)

1st Six months of candidatureSubmit and present research proposal

1, 1st Wk Nov 2, 1st March

12 months of candidatureSubmit major review report to GS

1, 1st Wk Sept 2, 1st Wk Jan

12 months of candidatureSubmit major review to GS

1, 1st Wk May 2, 1st Wk Sept

Submit six monthly reports to GS thereafter and a major review report end 2nd year

Lodge notification of intent to submit end 3rd year

Submit thesis for examinationPhD 3-3.5 years

CompletionMax: PhD 4 years

Proposed pathways to completion of PhD Research

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

• Critical areasCritical areas• induction programmeinduction programme – working space, – working space,

resources accessibility, communication resources accessibility, communication procedures, library, procedures, library, counselling servicescounselling services etc etc

• complete enrolment process and proceed with complete enrolment process and proceed with research proposal with supervisorsresearch proposal with supervisors

• proposal approval process requires that the SBPS proposal approval process requires that the SBPS agree on the concept presentedagree on the concept presented

Progression in the PhD Degree Programme ---Progression in the PhD Degree Programme ---

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Role of the supervisorRole of the supervisor

• Provide the necessary infrastructure (office, Provide the necessary infrastructure (office, computer, Internet connection)computer, Internet connection)

• Helps find the necessary funding or facilitates Helps find the necessary funding or facilitates linkage for support from collaborating linkage for support from collaborating institutionsinstitutions

• Makes sure that research plans are realistic Makes sure that research plans are realistic and in context and in context

• Evaluates and gives feedback on research Evaluates and gives feedback on research progress pointing out links with other progress pointing out links with other researches researches

• Suggests methods and approaches to tackle Suggests methods and approaches to tackle any questions raised any questions raised

• Provides linkage and contact with other people, Provides linkage and contact with other people, organizations or publications that are relevant organizations or publications that are relevant

• Promotes and support research work towards Promotes and support research work towards the rest of the academic communitythe rest of the academic community

Progression in the PhD Degree Programme ---Progression in the PhD Degree Programme ---

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Challenges toChallenges to Improving PhD ResearchImproving PhD Research• Self-imposed brain drain of researchers from Self-imposed brain drain of researchers from

developing countries to the north and west developing countries to the north and west due to lack of incentives and fundingdue to lack of incentives and funding

• Lack of investment by the institutions Lack of investment by the institutions themselves on postgraduate fundingthemselves on postgraduate funding– Focus on fee-paying students with little or Focus on fee-paying students with little or

no effort towards providing scholarship to no effort towards providing scholarship to exemplary studentsexemplary students

• Little University sponsorship or bursary Little University sponsorship or bursary support support – Limited extent of financial assistance for Limited extent of financial assistance for

postgraduate study to members of facultypostgraduate study to members of faculty

– The Government provides minimal individual The Government provides minimal individual loans to fund postgraduate students at loans to fund postgraduate students at government-supported institutions – tuition government-supported institutions – tuition fees not research grantsfees not research grants

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

KU postgraduate research challengesKU postgraduate research challenges

Kenyatta University PhD students face teething challenges that either impede or stall their progress.

•Poor facilitation from the university•Lack of adequate guidance and effective supervision •Lack of commitment on the part of students •Limited or lack of research funds and inadequate funds for supervision.•Slow bureaucratic process towards proposal registration •Lack of work plan in some cases and inability to give reasonable projections.•Lack of adherence to deadlines and follow-up on supervisors •Lack of scheduling of student activities from admission to graduation •Administrative systems especially beyond the department are not supportive enough.•PhD student’s interaction with his/her supervisor is based on trust

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Possible solutionsPossible solutions• Develop physical infrastructure: more office for Develop physical infrastructure: more office for

staff, laboratories and studio space. staff, laboratories and studio space.

• Improve capacity: recruitment, training and Improve capacity: recruitment, training and development of computing and Internet access by development of computing and Internet access by academic and the postgraduate members.academic and the postgraduate members.

• Set aside sufficient funds to run postgraduate Set aside sufficient funds to run postgraduate programmes.programmes.

• Diversify the library services to include research Diversify the library services to include research librarians and linkage/loaning from external librarians and linkage/loaning from external librarieslibraries

• Create and using external linkages and Create and using external linkages and collaborations with local research institutions collaborations with local research institutions

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

– Which contribution to the research environment at KU?Which contribution to the research environment at KU?– Visible and active linkage – the reality on the groundVisible and active linkage – the reality on the ground– Impact from distance – poor communication Impact from distance – poor communication

environment (ICT)environment (ICT)– Mutual Benefits.Mutual Benefits.

Linkage with the Far EastLinkage with the Far East • Capital Normal University, Beijing China Capital Normal University, Beijing China • Chinese Academy of Social SciencesChinese Academy of Social Sciences• Xian Institute of Physical EducationXian Institute of Physical Education• Shanxi University of China- KanagawaShanxi University of China- Kanagawa• Institute of Technology, JapanInstitute of Technology, Japan• Nagasaki University, JapanNagasaki University, Japan• Samchoek National University, KoreaSamchoek National University, Korea

Kenyatta University using existing linkagesKenyatta University using existing linkages

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Linkage with EuropeLinkage with Europe

• Antwerp University, BelgiumAntwerp University, Belgium• Katholike University, BelgiumKatholike University, Belgium• Nesna University College, NorwayNesna University College, Norway• Volda University College, NorwayVolda University College, Norway• Niilo Maki Institute, Jyvaskyla, Finland Niilo Maki Institute, Jyvaskyla, Finland • L’ Insitute de Recherche Pour Le L’ Insitute de Recherche Pour Le

Development , FranceDevelopment , France• Alanus University, GermanyAlanus University, Germany• Bayreauth University, GermanyBayreauth University, Germany• Trier University, GermanyTrier University, Germany• Mid Sweden UniversityMid Sweden University• Jonkoping University, SwedenJonkoping University, Sweden• Cambridge UniversityCambridge University• Kings College, London, UKKings College, London, UK• Exeter UniversityExeter University

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Linkage with US UniversitiesLinkage with US Universities• Albany State University, GeorgiaAlbany State University, Georgia• Arkansas University, Arkansas Arkansas University, Arkansas • City College of New YorkCity College of New York• Georgia Sate University, GeorgiaGeorgia Sate University, Georgia• Illinois state UniversityIllinois state University• Indiana University Indiana University • Iowa State UniversityIowa State University• Kent State University, OhioKent State University, Ohio• Kutztown UniversityKutztown University • National American University, South Dakota National American University, South Dakota • North Texas UniversityNorth Texas University• Ohio State UniversityOhio State University• Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University• University of Nevada, RenoUniversity of Nevada, Reno• University of ScrantonUniversity of Scranton

Summer school programmeundergraduates

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Linkage with African Linkage with African UniversitiesUniversities– Local universities – association through Local universities – association through

JABJAB– Common support through Gov. and HELBCommon support through Gov. and HELB– Control over CHEControl over CHE• University of Hargesha, SomalilandUniversity of Hargesha, Somaliland

• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South AfricaSouth Africa

• Kyambogo University, UgandaKyambogo University, Uganda– Seeking collaborationSeeking collaboration

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Seek linkage amongst neighbours and Seek linkage amongst neighbours and the bestthe best– 1 1 UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN 546 546 – 2 2 STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY 548 548 – 3 3 UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA 554 554 – 4 4 UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND 636 636 – 5 5 RHODES UNIVERSITY RHODES UNIVERSITY 683683– 13 13 UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM 2,566 2,566 – 19 19 MAKERERE UNIVERSITY MAKERERE UNIVERSITY 3,628 3,628 – 27 27 UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI 4,508 4,508 – 36 36 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF RWANDA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF RWANDA 5,140 5,140 – 40 40 ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY 5,355 5,355 – 54 54 UNIVERSITY OF MALAWI UNIVERSITY OF MALAWI 6,159 6,159 – 61 61 MOI UNIVERSITY MOI UNIVERSITY 6,3536,353– 71 71 KABARAK UNIVERSITY KABARAK UNIVERSITY

6,699 6,699 – 77 77 KENYATTA UNIVERSITY KENYATTA UNIVERSITY 6,7616,761

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Existing linkages with Research Existing linkages with Research InstitutesInstitutes

• International Centre for Insect Physiology and International Centre for Insect Physiology and EcologyEcology

• Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for DevelopmentDevelopment

• World Agro-forestry CentreWorld Agro-forestry Centre • African Centre For Technology (ACTS)African Centre For Technology (ACTS)• Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)• Kenya College of Communication & Technology Kenya College of Communication & Technology

(KCCT)(KCCT)• Regional Institute of Business Management (RIBM)Regional Institute of Business Management (RIBM)• Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in

Agriculture (RUFORUM)Agriculture (RUFORUM)• International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI),

USAUSA• Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF)Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF)• International Association of Hydrological Sciences International Association of Hydrological Sciences

(IAHS)(IAHS)

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Social ResponsibilitySocial Responsibility

• Nairobi Public Relations Society of Kenya Nairobi Public Relations Society of Kenya

• Federation of Kenyan Employers Federation of Kenyan Employers

• Christian Children Fund, KenyaChristian Children Fund, Kenya

• Braeburn College, NairobiBraeburn College, Nairobi

• Goethe Institute, NairobiGoethe Institute, Nairobi

• The International Association of athletic The International Association of athletic Federations IAAFFederations IAAF

• National Aids Control CouncilNational Aids Control Council

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Areas to explore: Regional Devp. Areas to explore: Regional Devp. AuthoritiesAuthorities

• National Environmental Management National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA)Authority (NEMA)

• Ewaso Ng’iro North River Basin Ewaso Ng’iro North River Basin Development AuthorityDevelopment Authority

• Ewaso Ng’iro South River Basin Ewaso Ng’iro South River Basin Development AuthorityDevelopment Authority

• Kerio Valley Development AuthorityKerio Valley Development Authority

• Lake Basin Development AuthorityLake Basin Development Authority

• National Irrigation BoardNational Irrigation Board

• Tana Athi Rivers Development AuthorityTana Athi Rivers Development Authority

• Kenya Wildlife ServiceKenya Wildlife Service

• National Museums of KenyaNational Museums of Kenya

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Areas to explore: National research Areas to explore: National research InstitutionsInstitutions

• Kenya Medical Research InstituteKenya Medical Research Institute• Kenya Trypasonomiasis Research InstituteKenya Trypasonomiasis Research Institute• Kenya Institute of Survey and MappingKenya Institute of Survey and Mapping• Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research & Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research &

AnalysisAnalysis• Kenya Coffee Research FoundationKenya Coffee Research Foundation• Kenya Tea Research FoundationKenya Tea Research Foundation• Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production

InstituteInstitute• Kenya Plants Health Inspectorate Services Kenya Plants Health Inspectorate Services • Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Kenya Agricultural Research Institute • National Agricultural Research LaboratoriesNational Agricultural Research Laboratories• Kenya Forestry Research InstituteKenya Forestry Research Institute• Kenya Bureau of Standard Kenya Bureau of Standard • Kenya Industrial and Research Development Kenya Industrial and Research Development

InstituteInstitute

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

conclusionsconclusions

• progression of PhD Students in the research progression of PhD Students in the research environment is time challenging environment is time challenging

• PhD research is a process of building PhD research is a process of building relationshipsrelationships

• key to the students is identifying resources key to the students is identifying resources availability for their research and where the availability for their research and where the resources are located.resources are located.

• Computing and Internet access by academic Computing and Internet access by academic and the postgraduate members is important and the postgraduate members is important as no academic discipline has been left as no academic discipline has been left untouched byuntouched by ITC revolution ITC revolution

• linkage between public universities and the linkage between public universities and the national research institutions over many national research institutions over many opportunities and this need strengtheningopportunities and this need strengthening

The UNISTAFF Alumni – managing PhD research - REAL conference’06

Asante sana!

AcknowledgementsTo the REAL conference/workshop organisnig committee and

To University Staff Development Programme Witzenhausen 2006

University of Kassel

•Michael Fremary

•Siawuch Amini

•MathiasWesseler

•Shirley L. Wouters and others

I say;onyweres@yahoo.com