QUALITY ASSURANCE BULLETIN

Abstract

WORD FROM THE VICE CHANCELLOR Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has committed itself to achieve world class standards by ensuring that it offers quality education, training and favorable environment that promote conducting of quality research and innovation. This has been manifested by formation of Directorate of Academic Quality Assurance (DAQA) to monitor and implement academic quality and to improve standards of academic excellence and funding of researchers through RPE Division. On top of that, the ISO 9001:2008 certification by KEBS has greatly enhanced quality culture within the entire University. For instance, the certification process necessitated the need to document all the procedures that were prerequisite for an efficient and effective quality education system which leaves a mark in the international academic arena. Currently, innovative teaching methods are being used in the Faculty of Agriculture for Master of Science in Research Methods programme and other departments. The method has made learning to be enriched by reference to cross-curricular links, current research, industrial applications and development of generic skills such as communication and teamwork. In fact, such innovative teaching methods are depicted globally when Mr. Evans Wadongo (alumnus of JKUAT) was the 2010 CNN Hero Nominee for his innovation of environmentally friendly solar-powered light-emitting diode lamp being distributed in rural areas. The University has also restructured E-Learning Department by providing infrastructure and human resource to fast track offering of accessible high quality interactive learning programmes and materials. The University has also constructed an Olympic size swimming pool that will improve students and staffs recreation and nurture swimming talent. Finally, my sincere gratitude goes to the staff at the DAQA staff members for their efforts that has enabled the improvement and timely production of this fifth academic quality assurance bulletin. The bulletin indicates that there was an increase in publications from 2009/2010 academic year to 2010/2011 academic year i.e. from 113 to 218. This is consistent with the latest Webometrics that showed JKUAT has jumped 354 places to stand at position 7,303 out of 12,000 universities worldwide. I also like to appreciate the members of staff who provided their research activities and publications for the production of this bulletin. Ultimately, the objective of this bulletin is to improve the quality of teaching and learning by encouraging University staff to consistently conduct research and innovations and publish.