Workshop participants at Bishop Stam.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has today, 31 August, 2023, kicked off implementation of the university council 90-day plan. This took place in a Workshop at Bishop Stam, which saw the top Management, Deans, Directors and Coordinators brainstorm ideas on how best to roll out the plan.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo, who officially opened the Workshop, pointed out the importance of understanding the customer as well as measuring productivity. “Besides having a strategic plan, we need to develop a master plan to guide us for the next fifty (50) years in line with the Government’s economic transformation agenda,” stated Prof. Shibairo.
While presenting on the Implementation of the University Council 90-Day Plan, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation)-Prof. Charles Mutai revealed that MMUST has established goals and strategies to be achieved within 90 days. “The 90-day plan consists of 5 pillars. The pillars are, ‘Serve our MMUST Customer (Students)’, ‘Processes and Systems’, ‘Innovation and Technology’, ‘Revenue Generation and Sustainability’, and ‘Accelerating Social Values’,” said Prof. Mutai, adding that the plan will help staff to maximize their output and productivity.
Prof. Shibairo gives his remarks at the Workshop.
“This Workshop will help the top Management to operationalize the strategic plan, as it highlights the key issues. We must improve our revenue generation to enable organizational sustainability especially with the new University funding model,” reiterated the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration and Finance), Prof. John Kuria Thuo.
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Students Affairs)-Prof. Hussein Golicha, stated that every School or Department must ensure that the students are taught and mentored in a manner that allows them to reap maximum benefit in terms of academic excellence and social values.
“This plan calls for concerted efforts from all sections of the University in order to attain main goals within 90 days,” advised the Ag. Deputy Registrar (Administration)-Dr. Eglay Tsuma, saying that there is a need to create a culture that is in sync with the University Vision and Core Values.
Prof. Golicha at the Workshop.
One of the key presentations by the Dean-School of Natural Sciences (SONAS), Dr. Joseph Owino, highlighted customer focus and alignment through cascading vision metrics and targets. “We must make students our number one priority and identify their expectations, needs and concerns to ensure quality customer service and experience,” he said.
The Director-Quality Assurance, Prof. Danstone Lilechi Barasa, noted that MMUST’s clients need respect, as well as affordable and timely services. “This should take place even as we map planning, resource management, product realization and student support processes,” stated Prof. Barasa. Further, he said that to be successful at these evaluation processes, MMUST can make use of monitoring and evaluation, internal quality audits, external audits and surveys.
Concurring with other presenters, the Director-ICT, Mr. Geoffrey Kones, discussed how technology affects the different processes in the University.
A section of the participants.
Other presentations were; Optimized and Reliable Digital Platform for MMUST and Value Waste Identification and Elimination Tool (WOODMITS) Techniques by Prof. Gordon Nguka, Revenue Generation and Sustainability and Implementing Revenue Sources to Enable Self Sustainability by CPA Jared Rading’ and Accelerating Social Value: Partner with Community to Operationalize Prioritized Social Value Plan and Improving Delivery on Community Social Plan Aligned with Government Mandate and Priorities by Dr. Teresa Okoth.
Indeed, the implementation of the Council’s 90-day plan is a good move for the University that will yield a good framework for cultural change. MMUST is clearly on the right track to becoming one of the giants in the world of higher education.
By Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Wangari Wambugu
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
