The Mount Kenya University has launched a state-of-the-art post-graduate centre at its Nairobi campus, in efforts to rebrand its research and post graduate training so as to enhance integrity of its PhD degrees.
The MKU’s founder and Chairman, Dr. Simon Gicharu said the centre is equipped with seminar rooms, a resource centre and consultation rooms to provide close exchange between students and their supervisors.
A modern Video Conferencing room, dubbed the Zoom room has also been fitted to aid in its open and distant learning programmes. It will enable Postgraduate students especially in the diaspora to meet and consult with their supervisors via web technologies.
According to the chairman, this would save time and costs associated with travelling and also make it possible for the diaspora students to interact with their peers through live video feeds.
Speaking during the University’s 16th graduation ceremony where 6666 graduands were conferred with degrees, diplomas and certificates on Friday, the chairman said through the centre, the students will be able to present their proposals and defend their work online.
It also has originality checker software that will allow postgraduate students check originality of their work before submitting it for examination.
The resource centre also has a library with latest editions of research text books and an e-learning section with computers equipped with statistical software to aid in data analysis.
The university has partnered with TELKOM and Microsoft to innovatively rejuvenate the Open, Distance and Electronic Learning (ODEL) programmes, with the former being the internet service provider as the later helping in the provision of computers and expertise.
Gicharu said lecturers from its main and Nairobi campuses have been trained on how to use the equipment to disseminate knowledge on the ODEL platform to its students, adding that plans to open similar ODEL centres in all its campuses across the region are underway.
“These are part of our efforts to rebrand the research and post graduate training aimed at enhancing originality and integrity in our PhD and postgraduate programmes. It will also put the university at par with recognized universities worldwide in courses offered,” he said.
The school also hopes that a Sh.2.5 billion humanitarian grant proposal to establish 3000 rooms to address office challenges at its main campus is approved to provide a friendlier learning environment and make it among the best in the continent.
By Muoki Charles
