Vice Chancellors of various Universities in the country have raised concern over the shortage of professors in the country saying if not checked; it might affect the quality of education and research in the future.
Led by KCA University VC Prof Isaiah Wakindiki, they said the country currently has less than 1,000 Profs despite having more than 100 universities and colleges that offer thousands of academic programs.
He cited KCA University saying with the 50 academic programs that it is currently running, it has only five professors.
“This University needs more than 100 Profs meaning there is a huge deficit. Others do not have any. This means only the best Universities will survive in areas of research, innovations, and many other areas of education,” Prof Wakindiki said.
He was speaking Thursday during the university’s 15th graduation ceremony at its Ruaraka Main Campus.
He called on lecturers to further their education by doing more research and attaining the Prof stature to save the future of departments and the quality of education in the country.
“This is a concern that must be taken seriously by all stakeholders. It won’t actualize in one or five years because manufacturing a Prof takes many years, but we have hope,” he said.
Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Prof Paul Wainaina raised similar concerns last year saying his university had not had a full prof in the last five years to replace those who retire or leave through other causes.
He pointed out that the Department of Education for instance had only four full and two associate professors.
He pointed out that the remaining Prof will be all gone in the coming years leaving the university at a crossroads in terms of education and research.
“The future of University education lies with its professors who are its think tanks. There used to be a time when we used to be like eight full professors and several associates. Now it’s worrying because I have just a few years left before I leave and I have not seen anyone close to a professor level,” he said.
He called on other universities to encourage and facilitate their lectures to upgrade their education to attain the professor level to be able to survive and maintain quality of education.
“Profs are the apex of scholarship in any university. Universities should support those in the field of research to attain high education accolades to ensure they bring out qualified scholars, who will hold the university in the future,” said Prof Wainaina.
By Muoki Charles
