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igher learning Institutions in Kenya have not achieved much in doing research to
improve their quality and effectiveness. The effectiveness of any university is
judged by the quality of graduates it produces who should not only be
professionals in their areas of study but also critical, creative and
innovative thinkers who can offer challenge to transform the society. This is
according to Prof. Joshua Bagaka of Cleveland State University USA while delivering
a public lecture to KCA University staff and student on ‘The Role of Research in Promoting
Institutional Quality and Effectiveness .He argued that Kenyan varsities
are not highly rated in research output due to their current poor teaching
status.
Bagaka
pointed out rapid expansion of universities with expansion of teaching staff
and internal and external brain drain of academia to occupations such as
politics and mass exodus to other countries but within academia as great
contributor to this dilemma Kenyan higher institutions of learning find
themselves in. As a result, a large number of programs are being delivered by
non-regular faculty or without a terminal degree in the field.
‘There
is shuttle teaching in our universities .Time spent traveling between
institution and number of course does not allow for reflective teaching and
mentorship. Some deliberate efforts will need to be made to protect the quality
of teaching in our universities’ said Prof. Bagaka. He is of the view that because
content and relevance of knowledge are constantly changing, effective research
is necessary as it help to update knowledge.
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