- This is the outcome of a collaboration between the university and the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research.
- KCA vice chancellor Isaiah Wakindiki said the partnership will benefit both learners and lecturers.
Image: FILE
All lecturers and tutors who wish to teach at KCA University will need to be trained by the institution.
This is the outcome of a collaboration between the university and the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research.
This partnership comes days after KCA launched a Centre for Teaching and Learning Excellence at the main campus.
KCA vice chancellor Isaiah Wakindiki said the partnership would benefit both learners and lecturers.
Wakindiki was speaking during the signing of the partnership at the main campus in Nairobi.
The VC said the training has nothing to do with curriculum review, but the training of lecturers.
“One of our strategic goals is excellence in students’ success [and] faculty development, that is capacity of our teaching staff to deliver,” he said.
CTLE director Simon Ngigi said acquisition of a postgraduate degree does not qualify one to be a lecturer.
Ngigi said an individual who has either a masters or PhD must also be trained on how to teach.
“You are an expert in mathematics, computer science but who taught you how to transfer that knowledge in a manner that the learner can understand,” he said.
Ngigi, who is also professor of education, said teaching involves more than just delivering content.
However, he lauded Kenyans for embracing the need to pursue postgraduate studies.
“It (the centre) is highly developed in terms of teaching and learning resources and by getting this partnership, KCA will benefit by accessing an advanced project in pedagogy,” he said.
For individuals who wish to teach at KCA or any other university under the programme, they will be re-trained just like other teachers.
PASGR executive director Anthony Mveyange said the organisation is in partnership with 14 other Kenyan universities.
They are Egerton, Kenyatta University, UoN, MMUST, USIU, JOOST, Masai Mara and Riara University.
Others are Tangaza College, Hekima University College, Machakos University, Maseno and Moi University.
The delivery of the training by PASGR utilises a pedagogy anchored on interactive learner-centered techniques.
These include group projects, role plays, fieldwork and guided discussions coupled with peer learning.
The institute also embraces technology enhanced learning in form of multimedia materials which comprise electronic case studies, documentaries and animations.
The centre seeks to fill the gap between the content conveyed by the dons and the expertise required for the teaching profession in higher learning.
Like any academic project, CTLE has four goals, a mission and a vision.
The goals are to enhance student success, support faculty success, promote academic leadership and promote CTLE growth and development.
The mission is to nurture a robust culture of pedagogical professionalism in higher education and commitment to student success.
The vision is to advance a KCA University culture committed to the principles of effective teaching in pursuit of transformative learning experiences and student success.
(edited by Amol Awuor)