The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo (center seated) together with other MMUST top officials after the workshop.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology recently conducted a Policy Review Workshop on Risk Management in an effort to enhance the University’s preparedness to handle risks. The two-day workshop which was held from 14th to 15th February, 2023, was conducted in tandem with the law of Kenya which requires all organizations to sensitize personnel about Enterprise Risk Management Policy Framework. The event organized by the Office of the Registrar (Planning Research and Innovation) in conjunction with the Office of the Internal Auditor, took place at the Golf Hotel- Kakamega. This initiative was spearheaded by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo. In his opening remarks, Prof. Shibairo noted that it is prudent to understand the risks around us and prioritize them. He challenged the participants to be ready to face the challenges posed by the risks emanating from various parts of the University. “As an institution, people have different perceptions about us. For this reason, we are vulnerable to risks arising from the public as well as our competitors. It is our mandate to come up with a proper risk management policy to safeguard our reputation. Let us work together to achieve this,” he urged.
Prof. Shibairo addressing participants during the workshop.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Planning, Research, and Innovation), Prof. Charles Mutai pointed out that the University consists of various cadres of professionals who should acquire risk mitigation skills. He added that the workshop will enable the team to utilize the resources available effectively. “We are here to ensure that the risks in the University are well managed. This is important in how the University attains its goals,” he stated.
According to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Student Affairs), Prof. Hussein Golicha, the University should cultivate a culture of appropriate coordination of its operations for proper risk management. “When we manage the risk areas, we shall ensure proper delivery of services and churn out highly skilled professionals,” he said. Equally, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Finance), Prof. John Kuria Thuo pointed out that strategic social cohesion improves service delivery and clear frameworks in collaborations will take the University to a higher level.
The Director of Pinebridge Training and Consulting Limited, Mr. Samuel Kibaara making a presentation during the workshop.
The workshop Facilitator, Mr. Samuel Kibaara, who is the Director of Pinebridge Training and Consulting Limited- Nairobi, acknowledged that institutions of higher learning are prone to threats, and implementation of a risk management policy helps in offering solutions to improve their products and services. Mr. Kibaara urged the University management to invest in risk management to adjust to the dynamic world. He stressed that the University should focus on training students who adapt best to the job market.
“Our world today is interconnected and there are risks everywhere. Identify the needs of your clients to survive in the ever-changing job market. Invest in programs that are of high value to churn out highly skilled professionals who will be flexible to adapt to change,” stated Mr. Kibaara.
The Registrar (Planning Research and Innovation), Prof. Alice Ndiema stated that the University management is keen to know the activities that are risky so that it can come up with proper risk mitigation skills. She added that proper risk management measures serve the purpose of marketing the University and will result in a positive outcome. “The risks are many but we can manage to mitigate, avoid and tolerate them,” she said.
A section of the participants following presentations keenly.
Reiterating the Vice-Chancellor, the Internal Auditor- CPA Samuel Rotich emphasized that the risks must be understood and mitigated properly. “The risks faced by this institution are felt and handled by this team of top officials. Let us set aside an aim to achieve our objectives,” he said.
A MMUST Lecturer and expert in policy matters-Mr. Anthony Sang tackled institutional management policy framework, risk management register, risk assessment process, risk incident reporting, policy review, and structure of the policy. He stated that the risk management register should capture all the University risk areas for the standardized quality of the programs and services.
The workshop which drew the University’s top managers, deans, and directors across the University will certainly help in identifying and assessing a broad array of risks that could negatively impact the achievement of the University’s goals and objectives. Additionally, this policy review not only ensures appropriate ownership and accountability of risks but also develops and implements appropriate risk mitigation and monitoring plans by the institution.
By Verna Awuor and Sheila Ivayo
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
