In response to the negative effects of Covid-19 on teaching and learning, the University of Nairobi Senate approved guidelines and procedures for online examinations on 8^th May 2020. The Special Senate was chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Prof.S.G.Kiama. The Senate relied on the provisions of Statutes- xxv that gives senate the mandate over all academic matters in the University.

The University had adopted e-learning in March following the government’s ban on meetings and congregations to check the spread of the virus.

During his online address to all staff and students, Prof. Kiama lauded the success of online teaching and learning at UoN. He observed that 5,564 online class sessions had so far been held from the time that the implementation commenced. The Vice-Chancellor thanked staff and students for their cooperation in adopting e-learning.

The Vice Chancellor reiterated that the guidelines and procedures for online exams had been benchmarked against global best practices and that the quality and integrity will not be compromised. The VC acknowledged that students with special needs and other disadvantaged groups may face difficulties in undertaking online exams but their issues shall be addressed individually as they arise.

The online examination guidelines were developed in consultation with stakeholders including professional bodies and regulatory authorities.

With online teaching and learning streamlined, the University will now embark on preparations for the September graduation. ‘ I want to share a message of hope with our final year students that their graduation will be held as scheduled on 25^th September 2020’- Said Prof. Kiama.

Dr. Loice Achieng Ombajo, a senior lecturer in the Department of Medicine, at the University of Nairobi, talks about the state of COVID-19 in Kenya in an interview with the Daily Nation.

What’s your assessment of Kenya’s levels of infections, recoveries and mortalities? Is the curve progressing as per the initial models?

The initial models were of a worst case scenario, and on assumption of nothing being done to curb the spread. If nothing had been done, we would probably have several thousand confirmed cases by now. However, we took some measures, such as closing schools, churches and banning gatherings. With these measures, we made significant gains in the fight against Covid-19. In one country, the first two cases were in a church. One of them went to a family gathering. One of the people in that gathering went to another church and that just set off outbreaks. Contact tracing was another step, because we’ve seen that when one case interacts with five people, two of them may get the infection. These two go on to interact with 10 other people and before long, the infections snowball.

So the stringent measures put in place in the first instance have helped us to be where we are now. Going forward we probably will see more cases. It will get a little worse before it finally gets better.

According to a study conducted by CPS International, the University of Nairobi is the most preferred source of human resource for most Kenyan Employers at an employability rate of 38 per cent.

Other Universities ranked in the study which follow suit in the employability rate include Kenyatta University at 30 per cent, JKUAT at 19 per cent, Egerton at 18 per cent, Maseno University at 18 per cent and Technical University of Kenya at 10 per cent.

Kenyatta University follows at 30 per cent, Moi (25), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture Technology (JKUAT) 19, Egerton (18), Maseno (18) and Technical University at 10 per cent.

On the private Universities sphere, Mt. Kenya University takes the lead on the employability index with 18 per cent, USIU at 6 per cent, KCA at 6 per cent, Strathmore at 5.8 per cent and Aga Khan University at 4.8 per cent.

The report further indicates that for every 10 jobs available in the country, 8 of the slots are likely to be filed in by candidates from Public universities with UoN at the top while the remaining two are likely to be taken up by graduates from private universities.

This study was conducted between November 2019 and January 2020 in the form of a survey on 50 organizations and 67 universities. CPS International is a marketing and social research company.

The Ministry of Education through the State Department for post Training and Skills Development, whose part of the mandate is to provide Career Guidance and Counselling to students in all learning institutions, out of school, youth and Kenyan workforce; is collaborating with the industry and stakeholders to roll out digital support on career guidance and counselling with effect from 5^th May, 2020.

Taking cognizant of the Covid-19 pandemic, this initiative will be done online through a WhatsApp platform. The support service will provide information on:

1. New and emerging careers, future of work, and skills required by the job market.
2. Choices of courses that align with requirements of the job market for high school students
3. How to blend and re-invent careers through upskilling to align with the job market for TVET and university graduates, unemployed, retrenched workers and underemployed
4. Interviewing, curriculum vitae, cover letter writing, psychometric tests, professional development courses and personal branding as part of job preparedness for the job market
5. Addressing skills gap to meet the realities and requirements of a post Covid-19 job market for the Kenyan workforce
6. Knowledge and awareness required by young people in order to pursue new opportunities and succeed in chosen careers
7. Labour market that will encourage young people to develop a robust outlook, alongside the motivation and resilience to succeed.

The career support services will be provided by career coaches from the Industry digitally through WhatsApp number 0714501569. To participate in the initiative, one is required to add this number to their contacts and send the word ‘Career’ in a WhatsApp message to start receiving immediate career support through live interactions with experienced career experts from the Industry.

Students are invited to take advantage of this opportunity that will take place digitally commencing 5^th May 2020. More information can be obtained from www.nationwidecareermonth.com.

Make your application on application.uonbi.ac.ke

Applications are invited for a fully paid scholarship to study a fellowship program in Medical Oncology at the University of Nairobi’s September 2020 intake.

This is a two-year full time fellowship program open to Internal Medicine specialists from the entire African continent, who would like to specialize in cancer treatment and research.

Successful applicants will receive sponsorship covering fees, accommodation and upkeep.

Successful applicants will be contacted by the first week of August 2020 and should be ready to report on Monday  28th September 2020.

For those living outside Kenya, transport arrangements will be made to ensure seamless movement to Nairobi.

Applications can be made at: application.uonbi.ac.ke

The Office of Career Services in partnership with industry partners organizes career clinics within and around campuses to advise students on career choices and job opportunities. In 2018/2019 the office organized more than 56 career sessions to students from different schools and faculties of the University. Some of the key partners have been Institute of Human Resources Management, Cytonn, Post Bank, I&M Bank, Huawei, IBM, Microsoft, My Jobs in Kenya, Fuzu, Shortlist, PwC, Youth Success and National Youth Council among many others.

In partnership with Academic Division of the University of Nairobi (Admissions Office and Privately Sponsored students section), Kenya Universities and Colleges and Central Placement Services (KUCCPS) and Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) the Office of Career Services continues to support existing and incoming students for selection of the best courses to pursue in the University. The Office also sends the Students Brand Ambassadors in High School for career talks. The Office has visited Lenana School, Jamhuri High School, Mangu High School, Loreto Convent Girls Limuru, Thika High School and Nairobi Schools among others and hosted Kerugoya Girls and Kiiru Boys, among others.

The Huawei Technologies Company (Kenya) is currently recruiting fresh graduates; those graduating in 2020 or those who graduated in 2019.

The focus are excellent students in Engineering field; Network Technology,IT,Software, Core Network and Project Management.

If you are in any of the above areas please send your CV to careers@uonbi.ac.ke by Tuesday 5th May 2020

Subject: Huawei Graduate Management Trainee Program

Note: If you are not in any of the above fields, please do not send your CV.