KENYA: Catholic University Board Approves Six Management Policies, Hails Ongoing Digitization
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The Executive Board of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in their two-day virtual meeting has approved six management policies to help the institution have guidelines for its operations and move the university the right direction.
In an interview with AMECEA online Thursday, May 13, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of CUEA Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua Ngari disclose that the University Management has been identifying gaps and developing policies that could help reinforce and clarify the expected standards in the institution for effective and efficient management.
“Six policies based on management and academics that are critical to the university were approved by the board,” Fr. Mbugua narrated and continued, “All the policies are in line with CUEA vision and mission, the Charter and with strategic direction.”
“They are also in compliance with regulators of university education including among others; the Ministry of education under the Commission for University education and nursing council of Kenya,” Fr. Mbugua added.
Prof. Mbugua explained the various policies approved by the Executive board during the meeting conducted May 12th and 13th highlighting that “the Council plays an oversight role of the strategic direction of the university.”
The Board approved the Workload Management policy, Fr. Mbugua said and explained, “This gives guidelines on how the staff work and the expected input by workers.”
The Board also accepted the ODEL (Online Distance and eLearning) policy which manages how the university does either pure online learning or blended learning.
Explaining other approved policies Prof. Mbugua said, “the Project Management policy will give us guidelines on how projects are to be managed in accordance with the strategic direction of the university, regulators, the university Council and the trustees.” On the other hand, “the Student Recruitment and Progression policy will help us deal with issues of cohort management right from student’s time of application until graduation.”
Talking about the Strategic Management policy that was among the approved documents the VC said, “This will help managers take appropriate decisions in relation to pursuit and achievement of strategies and objectives,” and finally the policy on development and review of policies will provide guidance in developing, implementing and reviewing of operational policy.
Meanwhile the Board also appreciated the digitization process that is ongoing in the institution which VC says will “make learning easier.”
“We have done a lot of digitization including having interactive walls. The virtual learning has been going on well, the students did exams online as they transition though we have now embarked to on site learning since the president’s address few weeks ago,” Fr. Mbugua disclosed.
The VC also disclosed that the institution has received a Tax Compliance Certificate which has been a challenge for the last two years.
“The Board appreciated that Management has resolved the matter that has been pending with KRA so much that right now priests and Religious are able to apply for the work permit,” Fr. Mbugua said during the Thursday interview.
