Egerton University academic staff participated in a sensitization session aimed at improving teaching methodologies, enhancing exam management, and strengthening overall academic administration. The forum underscored best practices to uphold quality education and institutional standards, with key presentations from Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage, Registrar Academic Affairs Prof. Mwanarusi Saidi, and Acting Registrar Human Capital Leonard K. Chesang’.
Prof. Kibwage addressed the teaching staff on critical issues, including administrative measures, examination management, and universal academic management processes. A significant concern highlighted was the issue of missing marks, which he noted had significantly reduced in recent years. He cited an instance of a student who had missed marks for eight years due to a failure in record entry, despite passing the course. The case was resolved after an investigation by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Bernard Aduda, who discovered the student’s marked script in archives. The lecturer responsible for marking was a part-time staff member, and the Chair of the department had long left the university. Following consultations with the Examination and Timetabling Directorate led by Prof. Obwoyere, the university has since implemented measures to ensure such cases do not recur.
“Make sure you teach within the allocated time. Let this not be a reason to run into problems with the university because you are not teaching,” Prof. Kibwage emphasized, cautioning against tardiness among lecturers. “Let’s not be pathological latecomers.”
The Vice-Chancellor commended students for positively marketing the university, stating that improved academic administration, particularly the reduction in missing marks cases, has led to increased student enrollment.
On examination handling, Prof. Kibwage urged lecturers to uphold integrity, ensure exams commence on time, and conduct proper invigilation. “I expect the Chairs of Departments to hold their teams together and ensure exams are handled well, and students receive their grades promptly,” he stressed.
Addressing the importance of professional communication, the Vice Chancellor encouraged staff to write official letters with clarity and precision to improve efficiency in addressing university needs and activities.
Prof. Kibwage also challenged academic staff to engage in research, inventions, and innovations while mentoring students. He urged them to support students in refining their ideas and advancing towards commercialization. “Ideas, inventions, and innovations that are viable and take off should be patented and become university property. There are incentives for innovators, and I urge you to support students in commercializing their innovative ideas,” he stated, citing the case of Joseph Nguthiru, an Egerton University student known for his innovation of biodegradable paper for seedling planting and other uses.
The forum also tackled the sensitive issue of ‘sex for marks,’ a challenge in many universities. Prof. Kibwage warned against such unethical practices, emphasizing that both male and female educators have been implicated in such cases. “It has been stereotyped as a male behavior, but this issue is not gender-biased,” he stated firmly.
The sensitization session reaffirmed Egerton University’s commitment to upholding academic integrity, improving student welfare, and enhancing institutional standards. With these measures in place, the university continues to solidify its reputation as a center of academic excellence.
By Kurian Musa
