UoN scraps 10 courses
For sustainability purposes, the University of Nairobi has scrapped ten common undergraduate courses.
Affected courses include Communication skills, Development Fundamentals and Their Applications, Human Health, Law in Society, Environmental Science, and Chemistry and Its Applications.
Others, including Science and Technology in Development, Elements of Philosophy, Elements of Economics, and HIV/AIDS, will no longer be given at the University beginning with the 2022/20223 school year.
Prof. Stephen Kiama, vice chancellor, stated that in order for the institution to continue carrying out its mission, it must implement strategic interventions with a human focus.
The senate has adopted a number of focused measures designed to make the university more relevant, dynamic, and viable. Kiama stated.
Kiama noted that this will help the development of undergraduate courses that are connected with national and global demands. He was speaking at the 67th Graduation, where 85 PhD degrees were awarded.
In 2021, over 250 units were eliminated to shorten the curriculum.
Kiama stated that the university would only hire for essential departments and reduce the number of courses from 324 to fewer, with an increased emphasis on engineering, medical, and IT.
“We halted new appointments unless they were in vital areas, and we refocused our program offerings on our flood ship programs. In the process, we have gathered $8.2 billion over the past three years and are still counting,” Kiama declared.
Reducing waste and leaks in its financial systems aided in reengineering financial operations, according to the professor.
He went on to say that despite all efforts to become relevant, the university has fallen victim to operating expenses.
This financial benefit continues to be eroded by unfunded collective bargaining agreements signed by the employer and unions, as well as by the underfunded Differentiated Unit Cost. The previous CBA led to a $1.6 billion increase in our payroll for the fiscal year 2022/23,“ he stated.
In an internal memo dated September 19, 2022, from the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, DVC Academic Affairs Professor Julius Okeng’o, the university stated that the decision was made to ensure its survival.
Statement: "By a copy of this letter, the Director of Information and Communication Technology is obligated to remove them entirely from the system.”
Kiama encouraged the government to support the university’s initiative and provide the resources necessary for the university to fulfill its mission for the country.
“On June 30, 2022, we formed the university of Nairobi foundation as a special purpose vehicle for funding the institution through the mobilization of private cash and philanthropic gifts,” he stated.
Amb. Simon Nabukwesi, Special Representative for University Education and Research, advised universities to deliver courses that are relevant to the labor market.
Prof. Stephen Kiama, vice chancellor
Nabukwesi stated, “We want to support sustainability and we want universities to become even more globally competitive than the greatest universities.”
He encouraged colleges to seek internal solutions to ensure financial sustainability.
He stated, “Universities collaborate globally with foreign partners; these universities can win expensive research funds to sustain teaching and research”
Nabukwesi commended UoN for taking the initiative to develop internally-driven solutions to the difficulties.
“I am pleased that UoN has taken the initiative to implement internal solutions for financial sustainability. If we want to generate talented graduates, the new paradigm shift in higher education is not an option, said Nabukwesi.
Prof. Kiama remarked that the university was confronted with a real threat of obscurity and elected to seek solutions.
Unfortunately, there are still hazardous ambers despite the fact that we have extinguished the fire in the house. We cannot afford to be sedentary. Even with large characteristics, the fire may return; thus, we must be vigilant,” stated Professor Kiama.
According to Kiama, the university capitation was decreased; doctor’s allowances were increased in 2020/21 without sufficient funds to pay allowances in the future.
Nabukwesi acknowledged the situation, stating that the government disclosed the financial strain universities are under.
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“The administration is aware of the persistent resource problems that the higher education sector faces. We met with all vice-chancellors of public universities in Mombasa to discuss this matter,” he stated.
He assured that the ministry is prepared to participate in dialogue with the new government and all relevant parties in order to develop sustainable solutions for universities.
UoN scraps 10 courses
