The Status Of Student Involvement In University Governance In Kenya

This book examines the concept of the democratization of governance in universities in Kenya with particular emphasis on students involvement in governance processes and decision making. Data were collected from members of the student community utilizing a structured self-administered questionnaire and from purposively selected key informants and focus group discussants drawn from Kenyatta University (representing the public sector) and the United States International University (representing the private sector). The guiding argument for the study was that shared governance, one of the principles of good governance, is critical in enabling the universities to deliver their visions and the missions effectively. The results revealed that while in principle, Kenyan universities have embraced democratic governance in which all stakeholders, including students, have a role to play, in practice they continue to violate the core principles of good governance, particularly shared governance. Specifically, students, who are major stakeholders in university education, are largely excluded from significant structures of governance thereby limiting their influence and participation. Although their representation is mainly provided via student self-governance organs (unions, associations and/or councils), their effectiveness is undermined considerably by the lack of trust and confidence of the student body and the unending manipulation by top university administrators and external political actors. Student active involvement in decision making is mainly confined to lower levels such as the school/faculty and departmental/programme. The authors call for a paradigm shift in the involvement of students in the governance of universities in ways that discourage the current culture of tokenism and political correctness that characterizes public and private universities in Kenya.

This book examines the concept of the democratization of governance in universities in Kenya with particular emphasis on students involvement in governance processes and decision making. Data were collected from members of the student community utilizing a structured self-administered questionnaire and from purposively selected key informants and focus group discussants drawn from Kenyatta University (representing the public sector) and the United States International University (representing the private sector). The guiding argument for the study was that shared governance, one of the principles of good governance, is critical in enabling the universities to deliver their visions and the missions effectively. The results revealed that while in principle, Kenyan universities have embraced democratic governance in which all stakeholders, including students, have a role to play, in practice they continue to violate the core principles of good governance, particularly shared governance. Specifically, students, who are major stakeholders in university education, are largely excluded from significant structures of governance thereby limiting their influence and participation. Although their representation is mainly provided via student self-governance organs (unions, associations and/or councils), their effectiveness is undermined considerably by the lack of trust and confidencec of the student body and the unending manipulation by top university administrators and external political actors. Student active involvement in decision making is mainly confined to lower levels such as the school/faculty and departmental/programme. The authors call for a paradigm shift in the involvement of students in the governance of universities in ways that discourage the current culture of tokenism and political correctness that characterizes public and private universities in Kenya.

The Growth of University Education in Kenya...................................................11 Origins and Growth of University Education in Kenya......................................12 Factors Responsible for the Growth of University Education in Kenya..............20 The Quality of University Education in Kenya.........................................................23 3. [...] First, we are indebted to the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) not just for funding the research that led to the authoring of this book, but also for organizing, funding and facilitating the review workshops that helped sharpen the quality of the final product. [...] Chapter six concludes the book by discussing the study findings and drawing some implications of the findings in terms of conclusions and recommendations on how to ensure a democratic culture in the governance of Kenyan universities in general and student involvement in particular. [...] This perception has overshadowed the mission of university education presented in this book as the production of graduates who respond to the needs of the society, with regards to upgrade of skills of the existing workforce, development of community and business leaders of tomorrow, as well as the empowerment of beneficiaries ability to start new businesses to employ Kenyans and contribute to the. [...] The authors are persuaded that governance issues, in as far as they relate to he shared governance principle of good governance in the running of the universities, is critical in enabling the institutions to achieve the mission of university education.

Using a range of international examples to compare the reality, purpose and effect of student engagement in universities across the globe, Student Engagement and Quality Assurance in Higher Education argues that teachers and students need to collaborate to improve the quality of university education and student learning. The growing trend of assessing and assuring quality in higher education is incredibly complex, as there are so many variables affecting both experiences and measures. With case studies from ten countries, covering a variety of cultural and environmental settings, this book focusses on ways of working with students to produce applicable, implementable strategies for universities the world over. Internationally applicable, this book presents ideas from a range of cultures, which can be adapted to be implemented in a variety of cultures. The reader is provided with a range of approaches where both the advantages and disadvantages are clearly presented. The ten case studies consider the macro, meso and micro levels of each approach, allowing for an exploration of the growing area of research and practice that is student–staff partnerships, showcasing ways of working with students to enhance engagement and quality, which are vital for a long-term approach. Focussing on one of the main reform topics for universities, Student Engagement and Quality Assurance in Higher Education is essential reading for educational researchers, institutional leaders and all concerned with the implementation and progression of student engagement and quality assurance in higher education.

Democratic institutions and laws are essential, but they cannot bring about democracy on their own. They will only function if they build on a culture of democracy, and our societies will not be able to develop and sustain such a culture unless education plays an essential role. Student engagement is crucial: democracy cannot be taught unless it is practised within institutions, among students and in relations between higher education and society in general. This 20th volume of the Council of Europe Higher Education Series demonstrates the importance of student engagement for the development and maintenance of the democratic culture that enables democratic institutions and laws to function in practice. This volume covers three aspects of student engagement that are seldom explored: its role in society through political participation and civic involvement; its place in higher education policy processes and policy-making structures; and how student unions represent the most institutionalised form of student engagement. The authors are accomplished scholars, policy makers, students and student leaders.

While universities world over are undergoing reforms and change, in the case of African universities as illustrated in this book, the reforms and changes are profound and can best be described as transformative. This book is unique in many ways, which makes it extraordinary. First, unlike other books that have examined issues on higher education in Africa from externalist positions, the contributors to this book are scholars who have been educated, are currently teaching in African universities or have taught in African universities. The book specifically focuses on transformations in the governance of African universities and its implications on equity, entrepreneurship, innovation, quality assurance, information and communication technologies (ICTs), and reform issues in higher education in Africa. The book presents pertinent research on governance in African universities in an experiential and empirical manner. The contributors of the book chapters include individuals actively involved in teaching, researching and governance of higher education institutions in Africa. The chapters are based on empirical data, including review of relevant literature. The book also recognizes that university governance is more than just crisis in financial or economic issues, but includes best management practices, shared governance, meaningful reforms, strategic planning, consultation, transparency and accountability, client (students, lecturers, parents and the public) satisfaction, as well as the role of the university in development. The contributions take cognizance of the fact that governance as a concept is facing fundamental changes in the context of global knowledge economy, and African local conditions. Contributors also take cognizance of the fact that one important source of change in Africa has been the accelerating speed of scientific and technological advancement in learning at universities where lifelong learning programs, adult learning programs, distance and online learning are relatively new. The chapters are also sensitive to new changes in gender, demographical, technological, education reforms, social and economic transformations in the governance of African universities. The book is basically an academic book for use by undergraduates and graduate students at universities, policy makers and formulators in African ministries of Education; supra national organizations, foreign organizations working in Africa, NGOs and CBOs as well as development stakeholders, and community organizers.