Presented by Prof. JAGANYI, MKU Vice-Chancellor to DIBeL freshers
University Education as a Systems Approach and the need for Resilience to Succeed
Dear Students;
I wish to share with you this afternoon some insights on University Education and a key secret to succeed at the University.
First and foremost, universities across the world run on what is called a ‘Systems Approach Model’
A Systems Approach Model is a way of accomplishing complex assignments or tasks through a series of well inter-related and inter-connected parts where mal-functioning of one part leads to a possible total failure of the entire system.
You have been introduced to so many offices and officers of the University and all of them work in an inter-related and inter-dependent process; all of them working towards one goal – namely to provide the best service to our customers and that is to you, our students.
For example: The Principal Students Welfare and his team keep on reminding us all the time that, their services to you as useful ONLY IF AND WHEN your scheduled classes and examinations are going on well as planned; or when the set security and safety machinery are perfectly operational. A problem in the security or safety part of our Systems Approach Model, or a problem in Academics Division, or in any other area that affects your welfare including your personal health, that one entity alone interferes adversely with the success of all the other areas. So, your wellbeing as an individual is very important for the rest of us as we are all working as a team.
As the Vice-Chancellor, I play an overall oversight role to ensure all is well so that all of you are well and that all of you shall graduate on time and your time at the University is quality time and useful to all.
I, therefore, take this opportunity to offer the assurance of University Management to you that, we shall keep the entire system well fueled, well-checked, well-guarded and well-coordinated for your overall good.
The Need for Your Resilience
All the foregoing remains perfectly good when all the parts of the system are well.
Unfortunately, sometimes the individual students may experience personal challenges and they seem to be vulnerable where they easily drop out of the set Systems Approach Process as laid out. In such situations, the student’s resilience is put into a test and his/ her resilience will be a vital saving grace as I now explain and justify the need for resilience.
But What is Resilience?
Resilience is one’s capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties. Resilience is also said to be the ability to cope with and recover from setbacks. In order for this to successfully happen, the person’s mental, emotional and behavior flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands are required.
Possible life occurrences that require resilience to survive include experiences of trauma, tragedy, threats in one’s life, family challenges, health issues, financial issues, and other forms of adversities, all of which we are always vulnerable to from time to time.
These are common experiences in contemporary times, both in Kenya and elsewhere in the world that whenever they occur, and they seem to be occurring to everyone from time to time, one requires the grace to endure the storm and overcome. In other words, although we expect everyone to have a smooth life when you are at the University or even when you are at home or at your workplace, at times, our lives do experience some bumps here and there, and some unexpected twists and turns here and there. At times, we face challenges that test and push our capacities.
But, all is not lost! There are some good news!
Our resilience allows us to withstand the storms, navigate ourselves through all the emerging challenges of life and come out of those storms and at times even stronger than before.
In this address, we shall look through some 7 principles of resilience or 7Cs which we shall deliberately strive to nurture and they shall give us the capacity to navigate life’s challenges with grace, fortitude, and renewed energies as follows.
The Seven Cs or Seven Principles of Resilience
Psychologists indicate that, those persons who are best in resilience depict the following 7 strengths which are said to be the 7 Cs or Principles of resilience, which are a set of 7 guiding principles that can help us to cultivate unwavering strength and adaptability in the face of adversity. As indicated above, by understanding and knowing about these 7 Cs, we become well equipped to navigate life’s challenges with grace, fortitude, and a renewed energy. These are;
- Competence
- Confidence
- Connection
- Character
- Contribution
- Coping
- Control
Competence – is the ability to know how to handle stressful situations effectively. It requires being positive that you have the skills and capacities to face challenges. Competence is acquired in life and one must deliberately nurture it.
Confidence – is the belief in one’s own abilities and is rooted in competence. Identify your individual strengths and you will be good to go.
Connection – this is the psycho-social aspect in us. We need close ties to friends, family, and community groups and a stronger sense of security and sense of belonging. Do not be a lone in your life but rather be social. Social persons are less likely to seek out alternative destructive behaviours. So let us strive to operate within a group, a team, and be a community member.
Character – Persons with “character” enjoy a strong sense of self-worth and confidence. They have a strong sense of right and wrong and are prepared to make wise choices and contribute to the world. And they have ability to make wise choices in life.
Contribution – one needs to be happy when personally contributing to the world. This is related to the other Cs and is acquired as one learns the powerful lessons towards improving their world, thereby enhancing their own competence, character, and sense of connection. As one experiences the power of contributing towards making the world a better place, one’s resilience is enhanced.
Coping – we must nurture a wide repertoire of coping skills or coping mechanisms towards overcoming life’s challenges as stress-reduction skills and social skills for coping with everyday life stresses.
Control – Be in charge of yourself. Be in charge of your decisions, your actions, and own up to your actions and their outcomes.
Dear Students, the Students Welfare Divisional Unit will guide you towards enhancement of these 7 Principles but the push must come from your end.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I wish you an endearing campus experience during your study at MKU. Take advantage of many other things that you can learn and online communication about the happening at MKU so that you become integrated into the MKU community even as you remain at your respective schools physically away from MKU.
Thank you.
PROF. DEOGRATIUS JAGANYI
VICE-CHANCELLOR
