© Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa( CARTA) & University of Nairobi( UoN)
GROUP 2: MASSIFICATION / DIFFERENTIATION MEMBERS
Prof. Lucy Irungu, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Production and Extension, UoN – Chairing Prof. John Odumba- Ssentamu, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University Prof. Laban Ayiro, Vice Chancellor, Moi University Prof. Steve Tollman, Director, Agincourt Prof. Mutuku Mwanthi, Director, School of Public Health and CARTA Co-focal person, UoN Ms. Esther Karumi Ms. Olivia Osiro, CARTA Fellow, University of Nairobi- Rapporteuring Ms. Beatrice Kimuyu, Alumni Officer, UoN – Rapporteuring
Definition of Massification: Rapid expansion of Universities, often largely driven by political pressures. This may be a problem in that set standards are not adhered to leading to low quality graduates.
Why the demand for more Universities?
Given the Kenyan Scenario, the team deliberated on whether there was need for the rapid expansion if the new universities were being supported financially by the government and finally if the students met the minimum entry requirements.
The resulting new universities have limited manpower and facilities thus ending up over stretching the already limited resources and diluting the quality of education. In addition, there is loss of highly skilled technicians when polytechnics are upgraded to universities.
Is Massification a derogative term?
• Does it perhaps denote that the rapid expansion is not really meeting market needs at the expense of research institutions?
• Have universities been reduced to community colleges or have community colleges been upgraded to universities?
• Is there justification for this?
Nursing training institutions have been upgraded to universities and none are left at the community level.
The new institutions may have infrastructure but inadequate staff, thus overstretching human resource which impacts the quality of education negatively.
Why Massification?
a) Universities allowed massification for capital formation following reduction / capitation of Government funding.
b) It was also an advantage for political interests.
c) On a positive note, massification may have improved the development of universities infrastructure.
Challenges of Massification
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CARTA’ s 2 nd Vice Chancellor’ s Meeting – Report of meeting proceedings – July 10-11, 2017