INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:

THE PHD SUPERVISION TRAINING WORKSHOP

MAANZONI LODGE

MAY 4-8, 2015

  • Observe protocol
  • Colleagues
  • Ladies and Gentlemen

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I am delighted that you have made time to attend this training on workshop on Training of Trainers on PhD Supervision

This workshop was birthed from the two sessions of training on PhD Supervision, whichwere undertaken in 2012 and 2013.

A number of changes have taken place in the last few years within the university such as an increased postgraduate enrolment, increased postgraduate programmes at Masters and PhD level. In Addition many more universities have come into being, thereby increasing the need for capacity development at postgraduate level specifically at PhD level as a labour catchment for the younger Universities.

The University of Copenhagen under a collaborative train-the-trainer venture between University of Copenhagen and University of Nairobi trained the Prepare-PhD project team led by Prof Raphael Wahome who delivered the first two training sessions.

Theobjective of the training was to minimize inconsistencies and inefficiencies in PhD supervision in terms of rules and regulations, administrative procedures; supervision/examination and preparedness of PhD students and to provide appropriate supervision skills and impel attitudinal changes necessary for effectiveness in PhD training.

Sofar, 93 academic staff members have been trained over the two training sessions. We had however hoped to train 100 staff members in the second training session where we only managed to train 53 staff members. While there was a high demand for the training among staff members, the numbers were hampered competing responsibilities when training is held within the campus.

It was therefore decided that a cohort of academic staff members undergo an intensive train the trainer session who will then train and mentor other staff members within the individual Colleges, and here we are.

The objective of this training of trainer session is build a critical mass of champions of effective PhD supervision through an intensive and yet highly interactive sessions who in turn will pass on the appropriate skills and the appropriate attitudes in PhD supervision and indeed in supervision of postgraduate students to colleagues at the College level.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I wish to seek your indulgence at this stage to inform you of the latest milestone in enhancing access to research funding for our researchers. With the approval of the Vice-Chancellor, the University has subscribed to the Research Africa Platform, which provides information on funding opportunities. All staff members and students logged into the UoN network can now access the platform and search for suitable funding opportunities. So far with the support of my office, several training sessions have been undertaken across all campuses including Mombasa and Kisumu to enable staff members and students to utilize the research Africa facility to its full capacity.

The RPE Division is appreciative of the support that the VC and the University management have provided, enabling us to achieve this highlighted milestone and many more.

Thank you all for taking the time to attend this training workshop. It is my hope that this training will create understanding of the additional benefits derived from successful and satisfactory PhD training, which will no doubt benefit the university in the future as the graduates take on positions of responsibility within the University of Nairobi and in other universities in the region.

I wish you a fruitful experience this week.

Thank you.

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