© Victor Ochieng’
In retrospect, in September 2022, when Dr. William Ruto came up with the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform (PWPER), key among its terms of reference on tertiary education was to recommend a great framework of operationalising the national Open University of Kenya (OUK). Likewise, PWPER recommended a well-thought-out framework on Open, Distance and E-learning (ODEL). Meaning, students who have had trouble in accessing tertiary education plus the ones that failed to attain the cut-off points to enroll in universities courses of their choice will have crucial chance to upgrade and climb the lofty ladder of academic erudition.
Therefore, in the recent past, the President awarded a charter to the 42nd public university — Open University of Kenya (OUK). It was a monumental milestone as the move underscored the essence of Open and E-learning in enhancing access to higher education. It marked flexible access to quality and relevant programmes also deemed as cost-effective.
OUK admitted its maiden cohort of students to its virtual programmes in September 2023. The pioneer programmes were 6 in total, which included: Bachelor of Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, Bachelor of Data Science, Bachelor of Education Technology, Bachelor of Science in Business and Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Economics and Statistics, and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Food Systems.
Again, there were 2 post-graduate diplomas, which included: Leadership and Accountability and Learning Design and Technology. Consequently, OUK introduced 18 programmes in September 2024. This brought the total number of programmes on offer in that university to 25. There was curriculum development for new programmes, with 90 specialists in various disciplines undertaking the task at the National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI).
Ideally, the pioneer programmes abutted more on business and technology courses. Progressively, the new programmes focused on education. As well as nursing and agriculture. Pundits posit: the new programmes were the right response to market demands.
Just apprise to you about it. The new programmes under the School of Education include: Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology, Master of Technology Education, Post-graduate Diploma in Education, Master in Educational Leadership and Policy and Bachelor of Science in Education (Mathematics and Computer Studies).
Moreover, the School of Business and Economics is poised to offer: Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting, Finance, Banking, Insurance, Human Resource Management, Project Management, Marketing, Procurement and Supply Chain Management and Operations and Logistics). In addition, the academe offers: Bachelor of Economics and Data Science. As well as Master of Business Administration (Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management, procurement and Supply Chain Management, Strategic Management, Project Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Operations and Logistics Management.
Ipso facto, the first doctorate programme at OUK happens to be: Doctor of Philosophy, Business Management (Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Marketing Management, Project Management, Strategic Management, Operations and Logistics Management and Entrepreneurship. The School of Agriculture will offer a Bachelor of Science in Agri-Technology and Food Systems programme.
By the same token, there are 8 more programmes in the School of Science and Technology. These are: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Learning Design and Technology, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Information Technology Enabled Services, Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics and Master of Science in Data Science and Forensics and Business Analytics.
Somewhat, OUK envisions to nurture talents and hone skills. It aims at shaping graduates in a holistic manner. How? By making them innovative and practical people. OUK integrates modern technology in order to deliver quality academic programmes and research. Ostensibly, breaks down geographical, economic, and social barriers, which have excluded some students when it comes to access of tertiary education.
Actually, OUK is an online university established to be: The Innovative University for Inclusive Prosperity. Its physical location is the Konza Technopolis — Africa’s Silicon Savannah. Then, it is a button away on the computer, laptop or smart phone. Students are a cohort of their own because they are to apply whenever they are ready, and are admitted at their own time. Students also request for exams when they are ready. It is easily accessible from anywhere in the country, and in the comfort of learners’ homes. It is at the heart of the present and the future of the country in everything digital. It is a great leaver for harnessing dividends of the digital economy. As well as the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Finally, the significance of online learning has gained prominence in this dispensation. It avails infinite spectra for life-long learning and the capacity to draw on digital technology to reach to the marginalised communities, and the working class in Kenya, and beyond. In March 2020, the invasion of Covid-19 pandemic taught us the integral role of online learning. There was the paralysis of education system at all levels.
The writer guides students on how to make informed career choices.
vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
