Varsity calls for harmonization of curriculums across East Africa

September, 10, 2015
Mount Kenya University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stanley Waudo has called for the speeding up of the harmonization of university curriculums across East Africa.
Speaking in Kigali, Rwanda, where the university has a Campus, Prof. Waudo said that only Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme has a uniform curriculum accepted across the universities at the five member states.
“This harmonization will enable cross-border movement of students across East Africa, as well as unlock the potential for universities to train across the region,” says Prof. Waudo.
MKU has temporarily suspended training in health science courses at Kigali Campus pending the harmonization of these curriculums. “We are experiencing several bottlenecks in that different regulators are requesting for different requirements. In Rwanda, we have experienced difficulties in getting approvals for the Health Science curriculums, yet the same curriculums are accredited in Kenya.” The curriculums are in
the School of Nursing, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory.
During a validation workshop on the qualification framework for the Eastern Africa region held in Entebbe Uganda last year, it was resolved that labour mobility was key to unlocking the potential that was available in the region. The workshop under the auspices of the Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) resolved that this was possible only if the qualification framework was harmonised. It was agreed that the individual countries deliberately work towards realising the desired systems that will
make the region a hub for human resource development for both intra and inter markets.
“Today, higher education is a means through which careers are built, and students wish to find ways and means to reach the best possible deliverer of higher education,” says
Prof. Michel Lejeune, Deputy Executive Director/Regional Coordinator, Credit Accumulation and Transfer system (CATs)-East Africa in a joint report by the Commission for Higher Education (Kenya), Tanzania Commission for Universities (Tanzania) and National Council for Higher Education (Uganda).
“The movement of students is becoming more common and academics are offering their services, knowledge, and skills in a greater variety of places. It has, therefore, become important that programmes are offered which enable students to study abroad move freely without jeopardising their studies.” In the report, which is available on the
internet, Prof. Lejeune says the CATs is a common ground that establishes a minimum standards for courses of study. A Rockefeller Foundation-funded CATs project for East Africa, which commenced in 2007 has produced volumes covering Human Medicine, Agriculture, Engineering, and
Basic Sciences. What is pending is the implementation under the current East African Community regime.
“Universities that have initiated regional presence towards the spirit of developing required human capital for the region require unparalleled systems that will ensure their sustainability,” says Prof. Waudo. “MKU is ready and willing to invest in the harmonisation of these curriculums to ensure no other institution of higher learning wishing to expand beyond the boundaries will experience similar hurdles.”
Prof. Waudo praised regulators in Kenya for developing a framework for accreditation of Health Science programmes, which has made public and private universities compete favourably. “This should be replicated across East Africa through the CATs. “ Last week, MKU celebrated its first batch of 40 students who passed the Pharmacy and Poisons Board examinations, and subsequently posted in various government hospitals for their final internships. This is the first group in independent Kenya to be certified as
professional pharmacists with qualifications from a local private university. “Our graduates are fully recognised and can work anywhere in all Commonwealth countries,” said Prof. Waudo. Besides IUCEA, the university is also a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. At the same time, the Vice-Chancellor has encouraged private universities in the East African region not to fear investing in science programmes due to the massive capital required. “Long gone are the days when private universities were deemed as also-runs, offering only religion and commerce subjects. The key to addressing the problems bedevilling our African continent is in
investing more on sciences and research. Those from our sister universities facing challenges with regulators such as Engineering Board of Kenya should not give up.”