Transcript 5. Procedure for supervision 10-12-2013

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
BOARD OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
THE PROCESS OF SUPERVISION OF POSTGRADUATE
STUDENTS
Presented by Prof. E.W. Mutitu
At the Sensizitation Workshop on Postgraduate Matters
– 10th December 2013, at the Central Catering Unit (CCU)
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Introduction
Team Members
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
Prof. E.W. Mutitu
Prof. C. Okidi
Prof. S.K. Mwea
Prof. G.P. Pokhariyal
Supervision of postgraduate research starts with proposal
writing. Once the proposal is forwarded from the
School/Faculty/ Institute and approved by BPS, the student
embarks on the actual research. The following are the
guidelines for supervision which supervisors and students
should familiarize and adhere to:
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Appointment of
supervisors
a) Two supervisors shall be appointed for those
pursuing the degree programme by Coursework and
thesis and for PhD students , one of whom must be
from the academic staff in the Department where
the candidate is registered. However,
Faculties/Institutes/Schools may appoint a third
supervisor as they may deem necessary in individual
cases.
b) Normally, only one supervisor shall be appointed for
each masters student pursuing the degree
programme by Coursework and project report.
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Appointment of
supervisors
c) Where a supervisor is appointed from outside the
University, such a supervisor should show evidence
of competence in the area of study through
publications produced since obtaining his/her higher
degree
d) Masters students should be supervised by a person
of higher qualifications whereas PhD students
should be supervised by somebody who posses a
PhD or higher qualifications
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Appointment of
supervisors
e) The supervisors shall be appointed by the
Department in consultation with the
Faculty/Institute/School postgraduate studies
committee and the Dean and approved by BPS.
f) Postgraduate students (both Masters and Ph.D
students) are required to consult their supervisors
at least once a month and to submit every semester
a written progress report to the Dean/Director of
the Faculty/Institute/School, through the Supervisor
and the Chairman of the department with a copy to
the Board of Postgraduate Studies. (see attached
BPS format).
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Appointment of
supervisors
g) It shall be the duty of the supervisor to direct and
supervise the work of the student in so far as it
relates to the programme of study. In particular, the
supervisor shall be required to:i.
Maintain constant and effective contact with
students assigned to him/her.
ii. Ensure students submits the progress report in a
prescribed format (see format) through the
Chairman of the Department and the relevant
Faculty/School Dean to the BPS with a copy to the
principal of the respective college.
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Appointment of
supervisors
iii. The supervisor shall inform the BPS through the
Chairman and Dean/Director at once if in his opinion a
given candidate is unlikely to meet the standard for
the award of Masters/PhD degree
iv. It shall be the duty of the student to maintain contact
with the supervisors assigned to him and both student
and supervisor maintain record of such
meetings/consultations
v. Students shall be required to use research note books
for continuous recording of their research. Copies are
available at UNES bookstore
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Unsatisfactory Student
progress
h) Where the progress of a given candidate is considered
unsatisfactory such a candidate shall be given a written
warning by Dean/Director of the Faculty/School/Institute
to the effect that unless he/she shows sign of
improvement within 3 months he/she will have to be
deregistered
i) After 2 consecutive negative reports the Dean/Director
shall present the matter to the relevant FPSC/Faculty
Board for recommendation for deregistration to be made
to Senate through the BPS
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Unsatisfactory Student
progress
j) Where a student has difficulties in communicating
with the supervisors he/she should inform the
School/Institute/Faculty early for remedial action to
be taken
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Tracking of progress
k) BPS with the assistance of the ICT has developed a
template for tracking the progress of postgraduate
students.
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Challenges
 Choice of supervisors
 Excessive no. of supervisors proposed instead recommended
2, maximum 3
 Change of supervisors due to unforeseen circumstances
 Need for additional supervisors when the work is ongoing
 Student progress
 Progress reports not submitted on time or not at all
 Warning to noncompliant students not given to them by the
deans on time or not at all
 Recommendation for de-registration not given to BPS by the
Deans for Students who are not making progress or have
overstayed
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THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
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