By Mohammed Doyo
Beginning this week, The 3rd Eye will be analyzing the successes and failures of the 26th Student Governing Council (SGC) which presumably will be ending its tenure officially in a few days time. We will be evaluating the performance of each of the 12th members heading MUSO (Moi University Students’ Organization). This week, we focus on the chairman of the union, Florence Doghana.
Florence Doghana, a political scientist, will perhaps go into history as the longest serving SGC chairman in over 25 years of MUSO existence. Popularly referred to as ‘Mr. President’ by a section of the students, Doghana entered office in March 2012 and has continued to serve to date.
Doghana , who won hearts at the 2012 game changing crossfire thanks to his electrifying speech has had both ups and down . To begin with, he was involved in a tussle with his counterpart, Seth Dikembe, almost immediately after he assumed office over the nomination of Stephen Macharia as the Editor-in-chief of MUSO. In a power supremacy battle that lasted for weeks, Doghana was able to nullify Macharia’s appointment, promising to appoint another Editor in Chief. Perhaps the greatest of his undoing, despite all the efforts to nullify Macharia’s appointment, the post has remained vacant to date costing the union an editor to run ‘The Daily Illuminator’-a MUSO publication.
A section of students also accuse ‘Mr. President’ of failing to intervene over the reporting dates that have remained a constant headache due to their unpredictable nature. For instance, the KCSE 2009 group who recently finished their 4th year education accuse the chairman of doing little when they had to stay at home for over a year despite joining the institution way back before the inception of the accelerated double intake program.
Other groups too have lodged several accusations against Doghana and his SGC team for not intervening when the infamous ‘impromptu’ further notices, synonymous with Moi University, strike.
Some students also feel the chairman has done little especially when matters concerning ‘HELB’ disbursements take the centre stage. For instance, the Chairman was seen to take a backseat during the June 2012 famous push for HELB disbursements that involved campus activist and SGC members; the likes of Obilo Kobilo and Dikembe Disembe. This year, the current 3rd years have lodged similar complaints against him and the rest of the SGC for not pressurizing the administration enough to push HELB into disbursing the funds on time.
Doghana have also scored low in building and enhancing the spirit of comradeship among students. Rarely did he make efforts to unite students to rally behind a common course, save for the demo against MU-84 Sacco.
Other students also speak of Doghana as being too moderate and complacent in handling students’ issues while others have complained of his inaccessibility. Doghana has been residing in Eldoret town for the better part of his 4th year education.
Nonetheless, Doghana has had his fair share of success stories. It is during his tenure that online balloting of hostels has been introduced same for wireless internet that has reached some places in the campus. In addition, it’s during his regime that a disabled student – Abdullahi-was nominated to the SGC. In 2012, he was instrumental in the demonstration against the MU-84 Sacco fare hikes.
In several occasions Doghana has rubbed the administration the wrong way for speaking his mind especially in senate and disciplinary meetings concerning the managerial inefficiencies of the institution’s. In the same breath, the flossy chairman who is fond of spotting Nigerian robes, has managed to remain 'independent' in an SGC that has been clogged with numerous allegations of being administration ‘projects’.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
WILL MOI UNIVERSITY SURVIVE THE ERA OF NEW CHARTERS?
By Gitungo Wamere
The dream of every Kenyan High school kid is to join a public university. They may not know what to do when they get therein, but our guillotine like system, demands them to dream to be in a University.
Unfortunately, the lucky ones when they get there they end up being frustrated by the dysfunctional system of our higher education. Those who join an institution like Moi University, which
chokes from its contradictions, end up resigning and cursing the whole system of higher education. The nearly collapsing higher education is what inspired the conceptualization of the UNIVERSITIES BILL 2012.
The bill is supposed to be the blueprint and therefore the cure- all document of the abuse, neglect and marginalization of our universities. So Many atrocities have been committed against our universities and in this Moi University is a perfect case study.
The bill outlines the objectives, the principles and values of university education in Kenya. On top of the objectives is to promote socio- economic development in line with the country’s agenda. Quality and relevance ranks top on the principle and values list. Without fear of any contradiction, Moi University lags behind in attaining these fundamentals. For instance, the Institution is situated in an area that was largely affected by 2007-8 PEV; did it play any role in bringing back peace and reconciliation? Does the university have classrooms, an upto measure library and other infrastructure for students?
To discuss the question of quality is like opening a pandoras box. Some essential questions still remains answered. Have reforms been initiated in the school of Engineering to make sure that never again will our graduates be rejected by the Engineering Board? What became of the School of Law after it was on the verge of being discredited?
When I look at Moi University I usually see an Institution that is haunted by malevolent ghosts of President’s Moi administration. The institution was a product of his sieged mentality. The university was meant to produce academic zombies who cannot respond on anything within the University let alone on national issues. This has caused the stagnation of the university. The image of the university is that of reluctance, unwillingness and incompetence. This is an institution where most of its workers come to the office to drink tea, read newspapers and gossip. After the beginning of the semester, three weeks later, there are still lectures that haven’t shown up.
There are still some students who haven’t received any of their results, two years later. Aren’t these indicators of a decaying institution? Moi University acquired a new charter on 1st March 2013 but I doubt whether The Commission of University Education did a thorough inspection. But all is not lost, with a new Cabinet secretary; he can freeze the process of issuing Charters and order for a thorough inspection before issuance of new charters to the universities.
Finally, my request goes to students, we are force that can initiate reforms. For a long time now we have been trampled on with indignity. We are a formidable group that can form strong checks and condemn the mismanagement of our university. The university Bill 2012 by setting The Commission of University Education gives us a platform where we can table our legit grievances
The writer of this opinion piece is a 3rd year Political Science student
The dream of every Kenyan High school kid is to join a public university. They may not know what to do when they get therein, but our guillotine like system, demands them to dream to be in a University.
Unfortunately, the lucky ones when they get there they end up being frustrated by the dysfunctional system of our higher education. Those who join an institution like Moi University, which
chokes from its contradictions, end up resigning and cursing the whole system of higher education. The nearly collapsing higher education is what inspired the conceptualization of the UNIVERSITIES BILL 2012.
The bill is supposed to be the blueprint and therefore the cure- all document of the abuse, neglect and marginalization of our universities. So Many atrocities have been committed against our universities and in this Moi University is a perfect case study.
The bill outlines the objectives, the principles and values of university education in Kenya. On top of the objectives is to promote socio- economic development in line with the country’s agenda. Quality and relevance ranks top on the principle and values list. Without fear of any contradiction, Moi University lags behind in attaining these fundamentals. For instance, the Institution is situated in an area that was largely affected by 2007-8 PEV; did it play any role in bringing back peace and reconciliation? Does the university have classrooms, an upto measure library and other infrastructure for students?
To discuss the question of quality is like opening a pandoras box. Some essential questions still remains answered. Have reforms been initiated in the school of Engineering to make sure that never again will our graduates be rejected by the Engineering Board? What became of the School of Law after it was on the verge of being discredited?
When I look at Moi University I usually see an Institution that is haunted by malevolent ghosts of President’s Moi administration. The institution was a product of his sieged mentality. The university was meant to produce academic zombies who cannot respond on anything within the University let alone on national issues. This has caused the stagnation of the university. The image of the university is that of reluctance, unwillingness and incompetence. This is an institution where most of its workers come to the office to drink tea, read newspapers and gossip. After the beginning of the semester, three weeks later, there are still lectures that haven’t shown up.
There are still some students who haven’t received any of their results, two years later. Aren’t these indicators of a decaying institution? Moi University acquired a new charter on 1st March 2013 but I doubt whether The Commission of University Education did a thorough inspection. But all is not lost, with a new Cabinet secretary; he can freeze the process of issuing Charters and order for a thorough inspection before issuance of new charters to the universities.
Finally, my request goes to students, we are force that can initiate reforms. For a long time now we have been trampled on with indignity. We are a formidable group that can form strong checks and condemn the mismanagement of our university. The university Bill 2012 by setting The Commission of University Education gives us a platform where we can table our legit grievances
The writer of this opinion piece is a 3rd year Political Science student
Sunday, July 21, 2013
WE STILL DON’T NEED TO CLAP FOR THE "ADMIN"
By William Dekker
One good doesn’t cancel all the other wrongs. That’s why I would be a little reluctant to hail the Moi University Administration for stepping the game up a little by introducing the online booking system. Fine, at least for the improvement; one or two praises won’t do harm. But it’s not worth changing perceptions. Even the system itself has vivid shortcomings, some silent while others glaring; like a frustrating sign-up process, delayed passwords, inability to sustain simultaneous access by the numerous users from different access points.
I’m still wondering why it discriminates against the PSSP students. That term "priority given to JAB students” is just an excuse or a polite way to discriminate. For instance, in my class alone, around 50% of the students are PSSP students. Does it mean all of them will have to "sort themselves out their own way"? I thought the days of segregation and battles between PSSP & GSSP (JAB) students are long gone. Ask Mr. Mureithi (Bwana Dean), he’ll reveal to you that blood was shed before it was solved.
Now, while still praising a system that perhaps will just fail on Monday and send us back to our manual world, let’s look at the other side of it all. I’d compare it to the famous IEBC Electronic Voter Identification (EVID) kits (some call it Biometric) that were the talk in town just before they sent the whole electoral process into the manual realm. You book a room online, ELECTRONICALLY right? Scan a hard copy piece of paper then upload it.
Why couldn't they just link the system from the Accommodation Bank Account to the “online thing”? Or better still, just ask for the receipt number and leave it at that instead of putting comrades through a frustrating process of scanning, then submitting a document that takes ages to upload depending on how close you are to “faiba”(Fibre).
Remember when it comes to that, it only needs a semi-literate computer chap to forge or tamper with one’s scanned JPEG receipt before uploading. Actually, these are some of the tempting situations that compel one to go down that road, even if the intentions didn’t exist. Expose someone to a crime, then stick a notice that reads “any fraudulent action would be subjected to disciplinary action” and it’s not worth it all! Because it’s simple; scan>>>edit>>>upload>>>get disciplinary action.
Then you still have to wait till Monday for a manual confirmation from the janitor. Meaning the current booking concept is NOT A GUARANTEE that you will get that room you intended. In other terms, it means that as from Monday, comrades will still have to queue, struggle and even part with some “chai” just to get the three basic confirmations of room allocation: a room key, mattress and dustbin! Manual it is, comrades!
Remember even the very important concepts are still yet to be implemented; electronic results that comrades have demanded since the ISO certification. And I’m still wondering who will tackle the missing marks, non-existent campus wide wireless internet access and inadequate bed space. (Of course by Monday, hundreds will still be “accommodation-less”.)
PARTING SHOT: Ever noticed that the MU website is so limited on student information yet so full of "admin" stuff? From the Governor’s courtesy call to the VC’s partnership with organizations, blah blah! And photos are there to support the claims, making one think that the snaps were taken with intended purposes. It more or less looks like an advertising page; uBid, Google+ or OLX!
One good doesn’t cancel all the other wrongs. That’s why I would be a little reluctant to hail the Moi University Administration for stepping the game up a little by introducing the online booking system. Fine, at least for the improvement; one or two praises won’t do harm. But it’s not worth changing perceptions. Even the system itself has vivid shortcomings, some silent while others glaring; like a frustrating sign-up process, delayed passwords, inability to sustain simultaneous access by the numerous users from different access points.
I’m still wondering why it discriminates against the PSSP students. That term "priority given to JAB students” is just an excuse or a polite way to discriminate. For instance, in my class alone, around 50% of the students are PSSP students. Does it mean all of them will have to "sort themselves out their own way"? I thought the days of segregation and battles between PSSP & GSSP (JAB) students are long gone. Ask Mr. Mureithi (Bwana Dean), he’ll reveal to you that blood was shed before it was solved.
Now, while still praising a system that perhaps will just fail on Monday and send us back to our manual world, let’s look at the other side of it all. I’d compare it to the famous IEBC Electronic Voter Identification (EVID) kits (some call it Biometric) that were the talk in town just before they sent the whole electoral process into the manual realm. You book a room online, ELECTRONICALLY right? Scan a hard copy piece of paper then upload it.
Why couldn't they just link the system from the Accommodation Bank Account to the “online thing”? Or better still, just ask for the receipt number and leave it at that instead of putting comrades through a frustrating process of scanning, then submitting a document that takes ages to upload depending on how close you are to “faiba”(Fibre).
Remember when it comes to that, it only needs a semi-literate computer chap to forge or tamper with one’s scanned JPEG receipt before uploading. Actually, these are some of the tempting situations that compel one to go down that road, even if the intentions didn’t exist. Expose someone to a crime, then stick a notice that reads “any fraudulent action would be subjected to disciplinary action” and it’s not worth it all! Because it’s simple; scan>>>edit>>>upload>>>get disciplinary action.
Then you still have to wait till Monday for a manual confirmation from the janitor. Meaning the current booking concept is NOT A GUARANTEE that you will get that room you intended. In other terms, it means that as from Monday, comrades will still have to queue, struggle and even part with some “chai” just to get the three basic confirmations of room allocation: a room key, mattress and dustbin! Manual it is, comrades!
Remember even the very important concepts are still yet to be implemented; electronic results that comrades have demanded since the ISO certification. And I’m still wondering who will tackle the missing marks, non-existent campus wide wireless internet access and inadequate bed space. (Of course by Monday, hundreds will still be “accommodation-less”.)
PARTING SHOT: Ever noticed that the MU website is so limited on student information yet so full of "admin" stuff? From the Governor’s courtesy call to the VC’s partnership with organizations, blah blah! And photos are there to support the claims, making one think that the snaps were taken with intended purposes. It more or less looks like an advertising page; uBid, Google+ or OLX!
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