A team from the Commission for University Education (CUE) led by Prof. Urbanus Mutwiwa, the Deputy Commission Secretary Accreditation visited Laikipia University for the inspection of the institution’s Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL) mode of learning on 1st October, 2024.
The officials were received by Prof. Joseph Kibett Rotich, the Vice Chancellor. The officials inspected critical ODeL facilities including E-Learning Resource Centre, the Library’s E-Resource Section, the ODeL Office at the Department of Computing and Informatics, and the Electronic Media Studio.
The team found out that students were adequately supported through the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) that was accessible either through the Learning Management System (LMS) or the University website.
Laikipia University’s Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) facilitates smooth learning by enabling students to search for learning materials through the author, keywords, subject, or title thus leading to faster retrieval of information from all over the world.
The tremendous ODeL achievement has been facilitated by the approved ODeL policies put in place by the University ODeL governance and administrative structure; ODeL training manuals for staff and students; orientation of students on ODeL system; and the configuration of ODeL courses on the LMS. The LMS has been used for planning, implementation and assessment of the ODeL learning processes.
The ODeL process should happen without compromising the quality of education and research in the University; this is one of the key reasons for the institution’s engagement with the Commission for University Education (CUE). The mandate of CUE is to make better provisions for the advancement of quality university education in Kenya. Their inspection therefore aimed at ensuring that our students are well supported during their studies. The CUE team also gave a few recommendations to the university ODeL governance team on the areas of improvement which the team committed to work on promptly. Overall, this was a successful visit to the University.
During inspection, the Commission for University Education officials were accompanied by our staff including, Prof. Joseph Kibett Rotich Vice Chancellor, Prof. Peter Mwaura Njuguna Ag. DVC (ARSA), Prof. Robert Mwebi Registrar AA, Prof. Felicia Yieke Director Corporate Affairs, Dr. Charity Chemnjor Director Quality Assurance and Standards, Dr. Isaac Gitogo Coordinator ODeL, Dr. Peris Kiilu Senior Assistant Librarian, Mr. Dancan Waiguru Systems Librarian, Ms. Roselyne Mulefu Senor Corporate Communication Officer, Ms, Agnes Nduku and Mr. Eric Yullu from ICT, Mr. Erick Wambugu from Electronic Media Studio.
