Institutions of higher learning have been urged to be revolutionary and operate with an eye towards the future to survive harsh economic hardships.
KCA University Chancellor Professor Olive Mugenda challenged universities to move away from traditional sources of income and adopt changes in the contemporary world to survive the hostile economic environment that continues to bedevil them.
“In an era when higher education institutions are fighting to survive, I want to express my gratitude to the university administration for their outstanding work. Many have questioned how we handle things during these trying times. My response is that KCA University is led by revolutionary minds and operates with an eye toward the future. Anyone familiar with me and my resume in university administration knows where this special institution is going. The belief that the future is limitless serves as our motivation,” Prof. Mugenda said while at the university’s Ruaraka campus.
Prof. Mugenda made the sentiments at a time when most institutions of higher learning continue to reel under debts following reforms, some of which are silent on government funding.
Additionally, Mugenda urged universities to embrace institutional research as a crucial tool for academic excellence and strategic decision-making saying it serves as a compass that guides a university through the constantly evolving landscape of higher education.
“Through institutional research, we get the necessary data, analysis, and insights that inform our policies, practices, and strategic directions,” she said.
Mugenda revealed that KCA University is actively involved in gathering and evaluating data on student enrolment, retention, graduation rates, faculty productivity, and other relevant factors.
“This data forms the basis for developing our academic programs, support services, and community engagement efforts. It helps us to understand the student experience, measure learning outcomes, and ensure that we are providing an environment where every student can thrive,” she added.
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Institutional research, she noted, will henceforth become more critical and will help universities to navigate the complexities of online education, global partnerships, and the evolving demands of the workforce.
“It will also allow universities to identify trends, anticipate challenges, and seize opportunities. We commit to supporting our institutional research professionals and using their findings to make informed decisions that will propel our university to new heights of achievement and impact,” she stated.
She reiterated that universities are major economic stimulants for the country through the provision of skills, competencies and trained manpower and urged them to continue producing fully-baked and quality experts in various sectors.
By Kamau Njoroge
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