Prof. John Kanjogu, PhD
Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor
Academic, Research and
Student Affairs
A. Duties and Responsibilities of the Officer
The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Research and Student Affairs shall:
Ensure that the University Senate is properly and promptly advised on the development of academic, research, innovations and student matters in conformity with set standards, guidelines and requirements of statutory and professional bodies;
Be responsible for promoting and coordinating research and research outputs, scientific publications, innovations, extension and technology transfer to industry and the community;
Mobilize funds for the furtherance of the academic mission of the University;
Coordinate academic linkages and collaborations;
Implement and monitor academic research, innovation and student affairs policies, rules and regulations;
Oversee development and review of academic programmes;
Develop and monitor implementation of divisional plans, performance targets, and budgets;
Monitor, assure and enhance quality and standards of academic matters in the University;
Be in charge of students’ welfare, accommodation, discipline, counselling, chaplaincy, work study placement, bursary allocation and management, as provided by the University policies;
Oversee the Student Council matters.
Oversee the co-ordination of student entertainment, sports, cultural, recreation and co-curricular activities.
Prepare and submit periodic reports on the overall status of the division to the Vice Chancellor; and
Undertake such other responsibilities as shall be assigned by the Vice Chancellor.
The Division has four (4) directorates, four (4) academic schools, two coordination centres and 11 departments.
B. Directorates
The 4 directorates are as follows:
Directorate of Research, Human Rights and Gender
Directorate of Examination and Timetabling
Directorate of TVET, Career Placement, Alumni and External Linkages
Graduate School
C. Schools with their Respective Departments
The following are the four (4) schools with their respective departments:
School of Education;
Department of Curriculum and Educational Management
Department of Psychology, Counselling and Educational Foundations
School of Humanities and Development Studies
Department of Literary and Communication Studies
Department of Public Affairs and Environmental Studies
School of Business and Economics
Department of Commerce
Department of Economics
School of Science and Applied Technology
Department of Biological and Biomedical Science Technology
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Department of Mathematics
Department of Computing and Informatics
Department of Earth Sciences
D. Coordination Centres
Laikipia University Institutional Scientific Ethics Review Committee (LU-ISERC)
Centre for Open and Distance e Learning (ODeL)
E. Recent Research Activities
Biennial International Conference: The University successfully held the 5th International Conference between 24th to 26th May 2023. The conference attracted both local and international delegates with the keynote address delivered by Dr. Katrine Soma, PhD, Senior Researcher at Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands; and Ms. Nancy Mudenyo Hunt, CEO-NASIO Trust Organisation, Kenya.
LU Online Journals: The Division has facilitated publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts through the online publication platform. The two journals; Laikipia University Journal of Social Sciences, Education and Humanities (JSSEH) and Journal of Science and Applied Technology (JSAT) are published online.
Innovation and Outreach Activities: The Division of Academics and Research held a Research and Innovation Day on 23rd March 2023 with the theme ‘Research and Commercialization’ to showcase staff and student innovations. This was part of Science, Innovation and Technology (STI) and Outreach activities
Partnerships and Collaboration for Research and Outreach: The Division has strengthened collaborations, linkages and outreach activities so as to improve the students’ industry experience through signing MoUs. In 2023, the University signed MoUs with Teaching Through Technology (T3) Alliance; CIAT; and Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA). These MoUs are also expected to enhance research activities. The University has also partnered with Teach2give, an organization concerned with Capacity building in Technology for professionals.
The Division oversaw the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding with Karlstad University in Sweden.
Research Funding: The University through the Division of Academic, Research and Student Affairs, renewed its partnership with Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands.
Repository of Staff Publications: The Division has ensured the establishment of a repository of staff publications on the university website. Uploading of lists of publications, proposals and innovations on the University Website is done on Quarterly basis
F. Academics Activities
New Academic Programmes: The Division has spearheaded development of new academic programmes in different schools. These programmes are in various stages of approval and accreditation.
School of Business and Economics
Bachelor of Science in Economics
Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance
Master of Science in Economics
Master of Science in Agricultural Economics
PhD in Economics
School of Science and Applied Technology
Master of Science in Statistics
Master of Science in Plant Pathology
Master of Science in Public Health
Bachelor of Science in Climate Smart Agriculture
Master of Science in Geography and Sustainable Resource Use
Implementation of the Online student reporting system has been done.
The University through the Academic Division is exploring partnership with KASNEB, a professional examinations body established by the Government of Kenya. This partnership targets programmes in the School of Business and Economics.
KIPPRA Mentorship Programmes: The Division has spearheaded mentorship programmes for both staff and students to equip them with skills on the public policy making process, role of research in public policy as well as to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
Career Mentorship for High School Students: In an attempt to market the university programmes, the Division through the Deans of Schools, conducted Career mentorship to 15 Secondary Schools in Naivasha, Nakuru County. This was done from February 6th to 10th 2023. The Division also organized a career mentorship event for Secondary Schools in Laikipia County and the surrounding community on 15th September, 2023. During this event, 13 high schools attended. The Division continues to receive requests from secondary schools from within and outside the County for student career mentorship sessions within the University. These events continue to provide marketing fora for our academic programmes.
Competency Based Curriculum (CBC): The University through the School of Education has conducted retooling of ALL members of Academic Staff on Competency Based Curriculum competencies in readiness for curriculum review in line with Competency Based Curriculum reforms.
Still in the Competency Based Curriculum, the Commission for University Education (CUE) has issued guidelines for Review of Teacher Education Programmes (TEPs) of universities in Kenya. Further, the Commission has directed that ALL EDUCATION Programmes be reviewed, and appropriate resources, collaborative arrangements and administrative structures be put in place to support CBE. The University is putting in a lot of effort towards achieving this.
Library Resources: The Division through the University Library acquired 252 text books, 4 computers and Turnitin antiplagiarism software. A select committee has finalized on antiplagiarism guidelines.
Collaboration: The University has signed MoU with Teach2give which is an institution dealing with Capacity building in Technology.