VC on a 2-day tour at the Faculty of Health Sciences
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama made a two-day staff visit to the Faculty of Health Sciences in a bid to engage with staff on the challenges that they face. On Monday, Jan 31, the Vice chancellor toured the Department of Pharmacy and Dental Sciences, while on Tuesday Feb 1, 2022, He visited the Department of Medicine and Nursing.
Prof. Kiama had a direct engagement with the academic and non-academic staff, listening to their concerns and brainstorming on solutions and offering a roadmap of how to achieve solutions.
Some of the challenges that were presented by the administrative staff across the different departments were work environment, equipment, allowances, procurement processes, issuance of car stickers, and management of Income generating units, staff welfare among other things. On their part, the academic staff raised concerns on career progression and succession, delayed promotion, staff welfare and what they termed as identity crisis.
On her part, the Ag Dean, Prof. Evalyn Wagaiyu was elated by the visit and noted, “ As most of you members clearly articulated the challenges and some have even made recommendations; we should go ahead and think of solutions that we can propose to the management to undertake. She appreciated the Vice Chancellor for making time to listen to their grievances and honoring her invite to visit the faculty and listen.
The Chief Operating officer, Mr. Brian Ouma agreed with some of the presenters on the challenges that they presented. He said that, he understood too well that some of the processes of the University do take too long, hence the data reforms that will assist management to make data-driven decisions. He requested the staff members to be patient as the process of initial data collection is almost over and many decisions will be made from that.
On his Part, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Julius Ogeng’o, echoed the sentiments by the COO and assured the members of staff that he will spearhead curriculum review of programs offered at the University of Nairobi, He pledged to handle the issue of promotion of teaching staff and urged faculty members to get more partners to support research, teaching and innovation.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kiama started by giving hope to the staff members on contract by promising absorption to permanent and pensionable mode of employment. He gave some background information on the financial hurdles that the University has been going through and urged the staff members to be patient.
He noted all the grievances raised and made some directive concerns to be tabled at the Senate and the Human Resource Department.
“Most of all, the University must remain vibrant, sustainable and remain relevant.” He concluded.
