UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI THE PROCESS OF SUPERVISION OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 1 Certified BOARD

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

THE PROCESS OF SUPERVISION OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 1 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

BOARD OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

Presented by Prof. E.W. MutituAt the Sensizitation Workshop on

Postgraduate Matters – 10th December 2013, at the Central Catering Unit (CCU)

Team Members 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:

Introduction


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.

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



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).



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.



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






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

Unsatisfactory Student progress

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 11 Certified http://www. uonbi.ac.ke

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

Unsatisfactory Student progress


k) BPS with the assistance of the ICT has developed a template for tracking the progress of postgraduate students.

Tracking of progress



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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Documents

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI THE PROCESS OF SUPERVISION OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 1 Certified BOARD