Open University of Kenya (OUK); All You Need To Know
Plans to clear the legal framework for the establishment of the Open University of Kenya (OUK) are at an advanced stage, following the ratification of recommendations for the award of a charter.
Open University of Kenya (OUK) Charter Approval and Enrollments
It is now widely anticipated that the university will be granted its charter by the end of this month and that the first cohort of students will enroll in September, completing a procedure that has lasted approximately 18 years.
In a letter to Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, the Commission for University Education (CUE) states that its board approved the recommendations at an extraordinary meeting convened on June 7, 2023.
The recommendations were based on an inspection of the OUK’s temporary location at the Nacosti Building on June 2 and 3, 2023.
The commission acknowledged the uniqueness of the proposed Open University of Kenya in a letter that Professor Mike Kuria, the CEO of the Commission for University Education (CUE), signed.
Notably, the university would be the first in Kenya to be established without the guidance or affiliation of an existing university, resulting in the absence of a governing body responsible for incurring expenses.
“The purpose of this letter is therefore to convey the resolution of the commission, to your office and request that you convey the same, upon your satisfaction and approval of Parliament, to His Excellency the President for consideration for the award of a charter to the Open University of Kenya,” reads the letter.
According to Mr. Machogu, the office of Attorney General Justin Muturi is preparing the necessary legal documentation, which will be presented to Parliament for approval.
This is anticipated to occur this week and requires only a simple majority to pass.
After receiving parliamentary approval, the CS will present President William Ruto with the approvals necessary to award the charter that will officially establish Kenya’s first open university.
It will be temporarily located in the Nacosti Building before relocating to the Konza Technopolis.
According to Ministry of Education officials, the charter will outline senior staff requirements.
The university’s chancellor will be the president, or he will appoint one if he considers it necessary.
In contrast to traditional public universities, the president will appoint the council head.
However, the CS for Education will choose the vice chancellor in accordance with the council’s recommendations.
The remainder of the OUK’s structure will resemble conventional universities.
OUK’s Allocation in the National Budget
In the national budget for 2022–23, the university was allocated Sh270 million, of which Sh20 million was included in the printed estimates and Sh250 million was included in Supplemental I.
The funds were used to establish the OUK, including curriculum development, Knoza construction, cloud server development, and CUE accreditation.
The development and approval of six undergraduate and two graduate programs have been completed.
Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, Bachelor of Technology Education, Bachelor of Science in Business and Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Data Science, Bachelor of Economics and Statistics, and Bachelor of Science in Agri-technology and Food Systems are the available degrees.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Accountability and the Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Design and Technology are the two postgraduate programs.
In addition to climate change and sustainability, global citizenship, ethics and social cohesion, philosophy, psychology, and basic research, students at the university will also study the following courses: philosophy, psychology, and basic research.
Open and Distance Learning Enhancement
According to a legal officer at the ministry, Joshua Wabwire, the OUK will also be responsible for enhancing the open and distance learning capabilities of other universities.
Higher Education Loans Board education loans will be made available to students who enroll at the university.
Mr. Wabwire explained that tuition fees differ based on the modules a student chooses to enroll in.
In order to qualify for admission, the technical committee has proposed a variety of academic pathways, as well as recognition of prior learning, a first for universities in Kenya.
The recognition of prior learning may be considered for two years of on-the-job training, two years of relevant work experience, or brief courses in the relevant field.
“Any other qualifications that may be determined by the Senate recognizing prior learning leading to equivalents of the identified criteria, experience and skills of learners,” reads the report of the technical committee.
According to Mr. Machogu, OUK students will study at their own tempo and receive summative assessments on demand.
The delivery method will be a Learning Management System that has not yet been launched alongside the website, which is awaiting approval.
Evolution and Development of Open Education Concept
Following the introduction of the concept of an open university in Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2005, the concept was further developed in the Report of the Public Universities Inspection Board (2007), the National Strategy for University Education (2008), and the Road Map for Open University (Rumble Report 2008).
In 2011, the Blue Print Report for the Open University highlighted priority academic fields for the envisioned open university based on CUE recommendations.
On January 9, 2014, the then-education cabinet secretary, Jacob Kaimenyi, appointed an open university task force.
Professor Peter Erastus Kinyanjui presided. Dr. Guantai Mboroki, Dr. Joyce Agalo, Dr. Speranza Ndege, Dr. Henry Rono, Jeckoniah Odumbe, Dr. Judith W. Kamau, Julius Otieno, and Rispa Odongo were among the members.
In August of 2016, the Cabinet approved a proposal to establish a national open university, but this remains a pipe fantasy.
If elected to government, the Kenya Kwanza manifesto vowed to make it a reality. What is open education?
Open Learning and Its Features
According to UNESCO, open or self-paced learning is “an educational philosophy in which learning can occur anywhere, at any time, using any resource, and can therefore inform practice in face-to-face institutions.”
Open learning enables individuals to study from any location and at any time without having to physically attend classes.
Open learning includes distance learning. The course material can be pre-prepared and presented in print or digital modules.
Additionally, students can virtually attend live lectures using a variety of electronic devices.
It has its origins in learning by correspondence, in which students would receive course materials by mail and then return assignments via the same channel.
Currently, technology facilitates interaction between students and instructors, and there is little distinction between conventional and open universities.
Open learning has been pro
moted as a cost-effective strategy for making education accessible to a large number of individuals by removing geographical barriers.
It takes learners’ limitations and preferences into consideration by allowing them to choose the number of units they wish to study based on their availability and financial strength.
Open University of Kenya (OUK); All You Need To Know
