NEWS ROUNDUP FROM SCHOOLS AND DEPARTMENTS

Despite the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, Daystar University has continued its operations. Schools and Departments have continued to beat the odds and hold various activities in their respective Schools even though most of the students are continuing with classes, online.

School of Nursing Holds Medical Camp

On 16th October 2020, the School of Nursing in partnership with Lukenya Pastors Fellowship held a free medical camp at the old ACK Church outside the Main Campus, Athi River. Mrs. Fridah Mburu, a lecturer in the School, led a team of nursing students in this exercise.

Among the services offered were immunization for children, blood pressure check, HIV testing and counselling, cervical cancer screening and dispensing of related drugs.

The Mavoko Sub-County Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kilonzo, intimated that the exercise was a first in the area and that their desire was to have more such camps in the future. He also expressed desire to have the School of Nursing build synergies in areas of mutual interest with the County Government of Machakos.

School of Communication Opens Studios

After months of working and learning from home following the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) guidelines due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the School of Communication finally opened its studios to students taking practical courses. This enabled students to complete their projects the end of the August 2020 semester.

Additionally, according to the Dean School of Communication, Prof. Levi Obonyo, the refurbishment and furnishing of the Nairobi campus studio will hopefully be completed by January 2021. This move will propel Daystar University to greater heights in the Media and Film Studies Department.

“We are proud to graduate the largest number of PhD candidates this year compared to previous years,” said Prof. Levi Obonyo.

School of Business & Economics to launch professional courses

The School Business and Economics in collaboration with DLPDI and the Principal Nairobi campus are working towards having professional courses offered by Daystar University beginning early next year.

The arrangement will start with Accounting professional courses: KATC and CPA, after which we will bring on board other professional courses in Marketing, Purchasing and Business Logistics, and Human Resource Management.

According to the Dean School of Business, the PhD in Business Administration programme is with the Commission for University Education awaiting approval. The programme will hopefully be launched in 2021.

School of Law conducts Webinars

On Monday 19th October, the School of Law held a webinar on Copyright and related rights via zoom. The panelists, Dr. Henry Chakava (Publisher), Ruben Kigame (Musician), Prof. Wekesa (Dean School of Law) and Enouch Wambua (Alumnus), ably discussed topics such as how to protect and/or copyright your work, and how to safeguard your work against plagiarism, amongst others topics.

The webinar was moderated by Mrs. Asha Mikinyango and Mrs. Christine Olando, both lectures in the School. Earlier on in August 2020, the School held another webinar themed: Innovation and Intellectual Property.

  The panelists of this webinar were Prof. (Eng) Douglas Shitanda, Prof. Mohammed S Rajab, Prof. Dr. Dr. Moni Wekesa, Mr. Sylvance A. Sange, and Dr. Maurice Balo.

 Discussions at the forum bordered on Lessons learnt from the global pandemic: ideas and strategies.

School of Human and Social Sciences reviews programmes

 This year between January and November 2020, the School of Human and Social Sciences successfully reviewed three programmes namely: M.A Psychology and Counselling, B.A Psychology, and as Diploma in Counselling, . Additionally, PhD in Clinical Psychology curriculum review will be completed by December 2020 while the development of PhD in Counselling is in progress.

ODeL Trains Faculty, staff and students on Microsoft Teams

  As part of enhanced capacity building in Elearning, Daystar University has adopted the use of Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) for better online interaction between lecturers and learners.

  Throughout the month of October 2020, the Open, Distance and Electronic Learning (ODEL) directorate, in collaboration with the University’s ICT department and¬ Mr. George Kiptalam, the Microsoft Teams expert in Kenya, conducted a series of daily training webinars for Faculty, staff and students.

  According to the ODEL Deputy Director, Dr. Caroline Ayuya, the training was a success, with almost 100% attendance. “We’ve seen an average of about 125 Faculty members attend the training per day, and are confident more students will join too,” she said.

Daystar Signs MOU with Kenya Film Commission

  On 22nd September 2020, Daystar University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kenya Film Commission to establish resource centers and cinematic infrastructure for both educational and entertainment purposes. The MOU was signed between Daystar University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Laban Ayiro, and Kenya Film Commission CEO, Mr. Timothy Owase.

ICT Department

  The ICT department has continued to support Faculty and students enrolled online for the August semester. This support entails account and email set up, registration on the student portal, E-learning, and access to WIFI- which can easily be accessed by and students within campus.

  In the latter part of 2020, the ICT Department opened the ICT labs for use by Daystar students.

  The move was intended to facilitate students physically present on Campus to complete their practical work and assignments. In strict observance of the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health, students were required to book in advance in consultation with their lecturers.

  “The ICT department has continued to support E-learning for over 3,800 students [enrolled for the August semester],” said the ICT Manager, Mr. Solomon Mburu.

 For assistance in ICT related issues, please send email to ictsupport@daystar.ac.ke

University Registrar

  Physical classes resumed on 19th October 2020 for students admitted into the October Block Semester. On 4th October, the University announced resumption of physical classes for different student categories including freshmen and continuing students who were unable to take classes online or were registered for practical courses.

  “A total of 90 students were registered in October with over 60 new students joining the University,” said Dr. Paul Mbutu.

  With the resumption of physical classes, the Library and Chapel also resumed services. Physical Chapel services take place every Tuesday while Small Group Bible studies take place on Thursdays.

  The cafeterias are also open on both Nairobi campus and the Main Campus to cater for students, Faculty and staff who are physically on Campus.