From a first year to a fourth year, from the staff to alumni, a constant cry dominates the talks whenever Moi University comes into the picture. A cry of Change. Over the years, cases of mismanagement have moved from worse to worst with students complaining day in day out, about the managerial inefficiencies in this institution. Apparently there is a joke that has been going around that ‘the only change Moi knows of is weather change’
However, after many years of waiting, a new administration finally comes to moi as part of the new changes initiated by the new government. Some of the old faces have been sent on compulsory leave, others have been sacked and in place, new individuals have been appointed by the new commission introduced by the government to oversee the running of universities. The new faces at the admin building are expected to turn around things and put back Moi in its rightful place in the academic world.
Students have received this ‘change’ message with both Optimism and doubts. While many of them remain largely optimistic, a section of them have expressed reservations- that the ‘new office’ might not bring the anticipated changes since the appointed individuals were formally in junior positions here at Moi. A case of new wine in old skins.
Nevertheless, as far as students affairs are concerned, the ‘new office’ might understand their plights better since some of them were undergraduate students here in moi, the likes of DVC Prof. Oketchi. What should the office do?
First the Elephant in the room- The Accommodation problem. This remains the biggest challenge. While Moi university over the years have continued to admit more students in the double intake program, no single hostel has been built to house the huge number the students admitted, save for the few private hostels the university purchased at stage. Building of hostel M remains unfinished, a decade later since the project was first initiated. The new office should look into ways of completing these stalled projects and initiate construction of new hostels immediately.
Accommodation and academic calendars are Siamese twins. Moi’s academic calendar hugely bases itself on the accommodation situation in the university. As we speak, a section of first years had to leave for holiday, just after one semester to pave way for the 3rd years and 2nd years who resumed session on Monday. This has raised a lot of concerns. At these pace, when will these students complete their 4 year -varsity learning? To solve this never ending riddle, The new office should come up with a well defined, fair, predictable and convenient academic calendars.
Away from accommodation and academic calendars, the issue of embracing the technology. Unlike most of the universities in its class, Moi continues to lag behind when it comes to technology. ‘Manual’ has been the art of doing things over the years. Queues have become a synonym of this institution. From room balloting and allocation, collection of transcripts, paying of fees, first year registration, everything is manual. Not surprising, Moi ranked No. 143 in Africa in tech use while the likes of KU and UON emerged in top 20’s in the recent webometrics rankings- a global org. that ranks universities based on their online presence. It’s quite appalling that in this era of Social media use, Moi has no functional, regularly updated Facebook or twitter accounts. Again the institution’s website remains to be updated on a frequent basis. The new office should look into ways of introducing ICT fully, to enhance smooth operations in this ISO certified institution.
Not forgetting other issues, the new office must address cases of corruption in its management structures, auditing all the financial accounts, putting an end to the use of vernacular languages in the offices, sacking of incompetent staff in the institution, streamlining the accommodation department; first by increasing the number of cleaners in the hostel, then equipping them with the necessary tools of work and finally repairing the hostel’s sanitation equipment. Besides that, the new office should also come up with ways of ensuring exam transcripts are out in time.
However, after many years of waiting, a new administration finally comes to moi as part of the new changes initiated by the new government. Some of the old faces have been sent on compulsory leave, others have been sacked and in place, new individuals have been appointed by the new commission introduced by the government to oversee the running of universities. The new faces at the admin building are expected to turn around things and put back Moi in its rightful place in the academic world.
Students have received this ‘change’ message with both Optimism and doubts. While many of them remain largely optimistic, a section of them have expressed reservations- that the ‘new office’ might not bring the anticipated changes since the appointed individuals were formally in junior positions here at Moi. A case of new wine in old skins.
Nevertheless, as far as students affairs are concerned, the ‘new office’ might understand their plights better since some of them were undergraduate students here in moi, the likes of DVC Prof. Oketchi. What should the office do?
First the Elephant in the room- The Accommodation problem. This remains the biggest challenge. While Moi university over the years have continued to admit more students in the double intake program, no single hostel has been built to house the huge number the students admitted, save for the few private hostels the university purchased at stage. Building of hostel M remains unfinished, a decade later since the project was first initiated. The new office should look into ways of completing these stalled projects and initiate construction of new hostels immediately.
Accommodation and academic calendars are Siamese twins. Moi’s academic calendar hugely bases itself on the accommodation situation in the university. As we speak, a section of first years had to leave for holiday, just after one semester to pave way for the 3rd years and 2nd years who resumed session on Monday. This has raised a lot of concerns. At these pace, when will these students complete their 4 year -varsity learning? To solve this never ending riddle, The new office should come up with a well defined, fair, predictable and convenient academic calendars.
Away from accommodation and academic calendars, the issue of embracing the technology. Unlike most of the universities in its class, Moi continues to lag behind when it comes to technology. ‘Manual’ has been the art of doing things over the years. Queues have become a synonym of this institution. From room balloting and allocation, collection of transcripts, paying of fees, first year registration, everything is manual. Not surprising, Moi ranked No. 143 in Africa in tech use while the likes of KU and UON emerged in top 20’s in the recent webometrics rankings- a global org. that ranks universities based on their online presence. It’s quite appalling that in this era of Social media use, Moi has no functional, regularly updated Facebook or twitter accounts. Again the institution’s website remains to be updated on a frequent basis. The new office should look into ways of introducing ICT fully, to enhance smooth operations in this ISO certified institution.
Not forgetting other issues, the new office must address cases of corruption in its management structures, auditing all the financial accounts, putting an end to the use of vernacular languages in the offices, sacking of incompetent staff in the institution, streamlining the accommodation department; first by increasing the number of cleaners in the hostel, then equipping them with the necessary tools of work and finally repairing the hostel’s sanitation equipment. Besides that, the new office should also come up with ways of ensuring exam transcripts are out in time.
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