University Blended Learning

The university has implemented blended learning (combination of face-to-face & online learning) for the second and third year students in their first semester of the 2020/2021 academic year. This is after the first year students successfully underwent the same programme. This decision was taken by the University Senate in order to ensure that no student loses precious time due to the requirement of the social and physical distancing as directed by the Ministry of Health during this period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The e-Learning programmes are coordinated by the new Directorate of Open, Distance and Electronic-Learning (ODeL), which is under the office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Students’ Affairs).

The University has developed relevant policies for online teaching and learning as well as reviewed other guidelines relevant to e-Learning. In addition, an expansion plan has been rolled out that has already resulted in the progressive upgrading of online teaching and learning resources with a goal of supporting more students within the programme.

Recently, the University procured five (5) state-of-the art Enterprise Server computers with the capacity to support the online learning for over 15,000 (fifteen thousand) students concurrently. Laptop computers for Departmental ODeL coordinators and other resources needed for successful e-Learning have also been procured.

There are over 15 wireless internet hotspots (Enterprise Wireless Access Points) within the University that learners can use to access e-Learning systems. This is in addition to the wired internet connectivity available at the computer laboratories and library. To address the challenge of bandwidth for staff & students outside the campus premises, the University has collaborated with Kenya Educational Network Trust (KENET) for discounted data bundles from Safaricom, Airtel and Telcom. Both faculty and students can register using this links: https://registration.kenet.or.ke/ and https://registration.kenet.or.ke/registration.

To ensure faculty and students get seamless access to the services on the e-learning platforms, the University has appointed School & Departmental ODeL coordinators to offer localised & dedicated support. The coordinators are also tasked with continuously monitoring the programmes under ODeL to ensure compliance with all the requirements & quality control.

All students are expected to have a laptop to attend online teaching and learning.