EXTENSION & OUTREACH POLICY

Transcription

1 MOI UNIVERSITY DRAFT EXTENSION & OUTREACH POLICY MAY 2005

2 PREFACE TABLE OF CONTENTS ii

3 1.0 BACKGROUND Moi University is a state corporation established under the Moi University Act of 1984, and CAP 210A of the laws of Kenya. under to Part II 3(2), it stipulates the university as a body corporate with perpetual succession and capable of taking, purchasing or otherwise acquiring, holding, charging and disposing movable or immovable property. The functions of the university, as set out in Part II 4 (1) include, the provision of university education aimed at producing mature and conscientious graduates with skills, and to develop and transmit knowledge and skills through research and training. Under Part III (13) the Act vests the University Council with the general governance of the university and the right to administer property and funds of the university. This includes reception and disbursement of donations, endowments, gifts, grants or other monies. The office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension provides coordination of and leadership for extension and outreach. The office circulates information, ideas, and resources among the colleges, schools and departments across campuses in order to encourage and support staff and graduate students to participate in the outreach mission. Further, the office promotes the University to the general public as a lifelong learning institution, which creates and offers programs of learning for a lifetime, as an ongoing set of educational experiences available for Kenyans in classroom, conference, and distance learning formats. A major goal of the office is to extend Moi University s resources through outreach services and programming in its various forms. The Moi University ten - year strategic plan outlines the scope of the outreach mission, its opportunities and challenges, and guides on the determination of priorities. Moi University staff and students will be assisted in outreach programs by the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension. In addition to the outreach programs, the office will maintain an extension/outreach 1

4 representative in each school and/or college to provide support and coordination of school-based extension/outreach efforts. 1.1 Moi University Vision The University wants to be recognized nationally and internationally as the University of choice in nurturing innovation and talent in science, technology and development. 1.2 Moi University Mission The University wants to preserve, create and disseminate knowledge and conserve and develop scientific, technological and cultural heritage through quality and relevant teaching and research; to create a conducive working and learning environment; and work with government and private sector for the betterment of society. 1.3 Moi University Extension and Outreach mandate Article 4c of the Moi University Act of 1984 specifies the functions of the University as development and transmission of knowledge and skills through research and extension. Pursuant to statute 12e of Moi University, the council is empowered to promote and make financial provisions to create facilities as centers of extension and outreach. In order to achieve its mandate in extension and/or outreach, Moi University through the Extension and Outreach Policy enables its staff and students to make full use of its vast resources to disseminate information and to extend knowledge to the community and other end users in consistence with national development. 1.4 The Need for University Extension and Outreach Policy 2

5 The policy document summarizes the Moi University extension and outreach activities arising from the policy document geared towards extension services in the university. The need for a dynamic policy document arises from the existing constraints of diminishing resources in the exchequer. The changes in the donor and/or partner organizations with respect to policies of funding extension services in government, private sector and civil society have also contributed to dwindling resources towards this cause. The overall benefits for the university staff, students and community in extension and outreach will be achieved by the policy university embracing the on extension and outreach so as to spell out the roadmap of extension services The Extension and Outreach Policy The policy document ensures that:- a) There are sufficient funds allocated annually by the university to Extension and Outreach services. b) The University lives upto its strategic plan by being a community university that extends knowledge, information and resources to professionals and its community within the country and the region c) There is a standing committee to spearhead policy changes and to set goals and targets continuously for extension services to remain focused and on course. d) An environment is created and enabled for extension of knowledge to be maintained throughout each year. 1.5 Relationship Between Extension/Outreach And Teaching & Learning 3

6 The University emphasizes a strong relationship between Extension/Outreach and teaching/learning which aimed at enhancing its programs in the university for it to remain a destination of choice by all students and staff. 2.0 THE MOI UNIVERSITY EXTENSION AND OUTREACH POLICY The Extension and Outreach services of the University serves as a comprehensive, multidisciplinary source of information, expertise, and programs of lifelong learning. Through the cooperative extension service, and the university outreach service, international programs, technical assistance, and programs of continuing education, the staff benefits from professional development. Staff, students, and community also benefits from the established educational network that extends research-generated knowledge and services to them and other communities of Kenya, nationals and international audiences. 2.1 Principles of Moi University Extension & Outreach Services The broad principles of the Moi University Extension and Outreach services shall be:- a) To support staff, students and other professionals in extending Knowledge to the community b) To spearhead the role of the university within its mandate to disseminate knowledge and information c) To have centers of Extension and/or Outreach d) To have extension services within University Campuses/schools /departments that are aimed at achieving academic excellence 2.2 Co-Ordination Of Extension & Outreach Services 4

7 A committee of senate shall be established to do the co-ordination of the Extension/Outreach services 2.3 Extension and Outreach Committees The following committees will be established: The University Extension and Outreach Committee a) This committee shall comprise, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research & Extension, school representatives from among its teaching staff, Dean of Students and the University Librarian The Tasks of the Extension and Outreach Committee (EOC) The Extension & Outreach Committee (EOC) will among other duties strive to do the following:- (i) Approve extension/outreach activities to be undertaken throughout the year (ii) Review continuously the policy of extension and outreach so as to be responsive to changes in the academic environment and to be in line with the university and government extension policy. (iii) Establish as and when necessary sub-committees to undertake tasks related to the programmes and projects of Extension & Outreach. (iv) Spearhead the designing and developing of Extension Outreach proposals in the university to be forwarded to government and donor partners for support 5

8 (v) Establish international contacts for students and staff and link them with organizations for collaboration in Extension & Outreach services (vi) Create, develop, and sustain a conducive environment for Extension & Outreach in the university colleges/schools/departments and to link them to the professional community and government agencies or institutions The School based Extension Committee This committee shall comprise representatives from the departments in the faculty/school/college. They report to the Dean of the school The functions of the School-based Extension & Outreach Committee The School Research Committee s functions will be to:- i) Evaluate extension/outreach information from researchers and decide on those that can be extended and forward them for support by the Division. ii) Determine from time to time the changes in Extension/Outreach activities so as to conform to the laid down guidelines while ensuring adherence and compliance with the university strategic plan iii) Monitor and evaluate Extension/Outreach activities to conform to university performance contract agreement 6

9 iv) Coordinate activities of Extension/Outreach Centers to be in tandem with the yearly Extension and Outreach Committee master plan v) Liaise with the EOC in ensuring timely solutions to conflicts, arbitrations and resolutions. 3.0 UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICES The following are the centers of extension and outreach under Moi. 3.1 Institute for Gender Equity, Research and Development (IGERD) The Centre strives to achieve gender equity and parity in student admission to all programs in the University. It will also mainstream gender issues especially in appointments of women and their promotion to conform to affirmative action and equal opportunity as well as promoting development of gender policies. 3.2 Moi University HIV/AIDS Awareness and Control Unit (MUHAACU) The Centre will entrench the HIV/AIDS awareness in the university. It will offer an established medium through which awareness on the HIV/AIDS disease scourge will be made known in the university campuses, schools and departments. 3.3 International Programs Office (IPO) This is in fulfillment of internationalization of higher education. The office coordinates international teaching, research and extension activities which 7

10 includes guiding and assisting foreign students, staff and scholars during their stay at Moi University. The office makes contacts on funding for research, co-ordinates and supervises long term international research projects while expanding foreign student welfare abroad. It will secure internship outside the country to staff and students for them to learn about other cultures aimed at global academic awareness. 3.4 Alumni Relations Office The office provides general information about the university to alumni and updates and updates and maintains a databank. 3.5 Project s Office The office monitors and evaluates donor funded projects as well as maintaining records and data on their progress 4.0 COMMUNITY ORIENTED EXTENSION ACTIVITIES Under the community oriented activities, a centre has been proposed. 4.1 Centre for Economic Development The center provides technology transfers to small businesses, incubators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and spearheads the commercialization of research results. It also assists in industrial recruitment, entrepreneurial expertise, industrial development and job creation. The center brings business communities, industry, and CBOs, NGOs; and government organs; and departments, into direct contact with the university s research staff and networks them with practicing professionals. The centre is 8

11 designed to anticipate and address economic, technological and social problems. It provides information on available resources in other institutions, organizations, universities and makes contacts with them. Its other role is to assemble teams of university staff and practicing professionals to work together to help in researching the national developmental goals. The centre will offer a medium through which the technological knowledge, research skills, and training expertise of the university staff can build human resources and promote in the national development agenda. It provides needed expertise in public administration, taxation, financial management, personnel administration, energy conservation and public employee training. One of the outreach services includes technical assistance, training programs and public policy research. All these are aimed at promoting improved effectiveness and efficiency in the University, the community and the government. The center supports the instructional and research roles of the university by providing staff and graduate students with opportunities for further professional growth through participation in extension and research programmes. 9