Academic Leadership Profile: Dr. Constant Okello-Obura, PhD
Dr. Constant Okello-Obura, a distinguished Professor of Information Science at Makerere University, presents his academic leadership profile for the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) position. With a Ph.D. in Information Science and a strong employment record, he highlights his key competencies, motivation, challenges facing Makerere University, and proposed interventions for transformation.
- Academic Leadership
- Information Science
- Makerere University
- Deputy Vice Chancellor
- Prof. Okello-Obura
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TRANSFORMING MAKERERE UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC AFFAIRS TERRAIN A public Presentation for the position of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) of Makerere University By Okello-Obura, Constant (Ph.D) Professor of Information Science Professor of Information Science
Outline My Profile Key Competencies relevant for the position of DVC (A/A) Motivation for the position of DVC (A/A) Key Challenges Makerere University is facing that relate to the office of the DVC(A/A) and proposed strategic interventions Transforming Makerere University to meet its strategic objectives within local, national and global context Conclusion
My Profile I'm a Professor of Information Science Married Uganda Member of MUASA ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS - Ph.D in Information Science. 2004- 2007 University of South Africa, Pretoria - - Master of Science in Information Science Makerere University Kampala, Makerere University, 1998-2000 - Bachelor of Library and Information Science 1991- Jan 1995 Makerere University Kampala
Employment Record May 1995- Nov 2001 -Makerere University Library Librarian II Nov. 2001 to September 2007 - EASLIS, Makerere University Assistant Lecturer October 2007 to August 2009 - EASLIS, Makerere University Lecturer October 2009- May 2012 EASLIS Makerere University Senior Lecturer- June 2012 December 2016 Associate Professor of Information Science January 2017 to date Full Professor of Information Science, Makerere University I have also successfully supervised 21 Masters students and 2 Ph.D
Key to Community Leadership Positions Held and Service Principal Makerere University, College of Computing and Information Sciences- 1stAugust 2013- 30thSeptember 2017 Dean, EASLIS, from 1st Feb. 2011 to 30thJuly 2013 Director EASLIS 1st June 2010 to 31st January 2011 Acting Head, Records and Archives Management Department, Chair Person- National Organizing Committee for SCECSAL 2018 in Uganda President Uganda Library and Information Association- August 2012 - 2017 Vice President Uganda Library and Information Association June 2008 to August 2012 Member of University Senate from 1st June 2010 todate Research Fellow, Department of Information Science, Unisa -Nov. 2010 to-date External Examiner in different Universities in Africa and outside Africa, Member of Rotary Club- Nansana Rotary Club 2014 up-to-date
Academic Publications Published 34 articles (from 2006-2017) in reputable peer-reviewed Journals (28 of these I'm the Main author) Two additional articles accepted for publication this year Presented conference papers in many local, regional and international conferences
Some of the Special Awards i. Academic award for supporting and promoting Information Ethics awarded by ANIE ii. University Administration Support supported by Carnegie Corporation of New York from 14thSeptember 8th November 2014. iii.Award by University of Pretoria for support to students and staff on Carnegie supported MIT program iv.Award by University of South Africa, Department of Information Science, Alumnus of the year- 2012 v. Makerere University Award for distinguished service to College of Computing and Information Sciences 2017 vi.College of Computing and Information Sciences Students Leaders Award for distinguished service to the College Programme Award- IREX Fellowship
Resources Mobilization Knowledge Database- Grant won in 2014 Bill and Melinda Foundation Grant for AgShare Project of USD 50,000 for the Development of Agricultural Indigenous Internet Schools"In Uganda in Collaboration with amounting USD 22,879. Phase1: Organization of Teacher-Training Programme for the "Educational Support Project through Solar-Powered Phase 2: Organization of Teacher-Training Programme for the "Educational Support Project through Solar-Powered Internet Schools" In Uganda in Collaboration with KERIS- Phase 2: A project amounting USD 22,879. INASP Grant of USD 6000 for the development of MSc in Records and Archives Management in 2008 INASP Grant of USD 4600 for the pedagogicaltraining in LIS for LIS leaders in 2013 Agricultural Information and Communication Management (MSc AICM)- Grant won in 2014 USD 122,084 Grant Number-RU 2014 NG 21: Support for the Implementation of an Online Master of Science in
Academic Programmes initiated and spearheaded the Design - Bachelor of Records and Archives Management- Accredited and running - MSc. in Records and Archives Management Accredited and Running - MSc. In Agricultural Information and Communication Management- Now before Senate
Key Competencies relevant for the position of DVC (A/A) Key Competencies relevant for the position of DVC (A/A) Good Knowledge of Curriculum Design and Accreditation processes Knowledge of University Academic policy formulation and implementation processes As an Information Scientist, I have the competencies required to monitor and supervise the University Library in meeting the information needs of the University Lobbying competence- I have successfully lobbied for many supports to the University E.g. University of Pretoria, Korean Organisations, Aerospace University in China, Uganda Ministry of Finance, Bill and Melinda Foundation etc I have been at the forefront to implement quality assurance policy in academics at school and college level
What motivates me for the Position of DVC (A/A) Lack of closure monitoring of academic life of the University- Over years I have noticed this gap. International linkages I have created should benefit the University further I am knowledgeable about the academic and research life of the university and this gives me managerial confidence to handle the duties at monitoring and policy levels The desire to contribute to the transformation of the university to research led at managerial and policy level
Key Challenges Makerere University is facing that relate to the office of the DVC(A/A) and proposed strategic interventions Challenges (Academic) of Effective Linkage between Students and the Industry- Career Guidance Low graduation rate of graduate students Key Challenges Makerere University is facing that relate to the office of the DVC(A/A) and proposed strategic interventions Feasible Opportunities/intervention Lack Creation of positions of students Career advisors at the Colleges -Devolve power and resources to the College within the legal and policy framework Results unawareness Policies implementation management of and and -Ensure a mandatory induction of academic leaders of the university - Ensure the availability of all relevant academic policies online on the university intranet - Implement university policies - Create viewing rights of results in the system to HoDs, Deans and Deputy Principals for effective monitoring Quality Assurance Directorate be empowered to approve CPD-Short courses in the University Academic their Unregulated Development Short Courses Capacity Programmes-
Key Challenges cont Feasible opportunities/Interventions 1. Support the creation of more Research Center of Excellence 2. Implement the sharing formula of overhead funds upto departments 3. Support DRGT to effect training on writing grant proposals at college level 4. Accreditation of Journals for academic publishing Un-documentation of Tacit Knowledge -Ensure formulation of policy or guideline on documentation of Tacit Knowledge by Senate through DRGT Underfunding of the University Library- Library has not bought new textbooks for the last 4 years !!!!! -Ensure the development of the academic library staff capacity in competitive grants proposals writing - Consortium (both national and regional consortium) Challenges (Research) Inadequate funding to support research and Low quality of research output (Only 1% of IGF) -Library fees are ringfenced for library to purchase books among others
Challenges cont Challenges (Research) Intellectual Property Management Policy (IPMP) approved by the University Council has not been fully operationalized Challenges (Quality Assurance) Lack of adequately trained staff in national quality assurance Lack of knowledge on related processes among the staff in the institution Resistance of college staff to fully get involved in quality assurance processes -Luck of funds to establish Quality assurance systems in the University Feasible Opportunities (Interventions) -Implement the policy and create an Intellectual Property (IP) Register -A postgraduate programme on quality assurance should be develop -Staff need to be sensitized on quality assurance framework and processes -A designated officer in charge of quality assurance should be at college level -Quality assurance support should be inbuilt into the students fees structure
Transforming Makerere University to meet its strategic objectives within local, national and global context Strategic Domains What I intend to do -Lobby for increased Government funding to support research and innovations -Lobby to create partnerships and linkages with reputable institutions and organizations -Ensure the Development of staff capacity in grants proposal writing -Ensure that library fees are ringfenced for its purpose -To have constructive discussion with the library leadership to develop Research/bibliometric Section or Unit -Ensure a system or strategy is put in place to document tacit knowledge under operational framework of the KTP and Network division - Ensure DRGT designs a CPD curriculum for capacity building in research and innovation -Ensure effective implementation of Open Distance and e-learning policy - Ensure Higher Education Pedagogy curriculum is designed for lecturers - Enforcement of the compliance with curriculum review after every cohort and tailor toward research led University. Research and innovation + Library Improving Teaching and Learning
Transforming cont Strategic Domain What I intend to do Internationalization activities- Staff / students exchanges of Academic -Strengthen the existing academic collaboration and initiate new ones. -Ensure the Creation of paid positions of Adjunct Professors for industry leaders who qualify. -Ensure the positions of Career Students advisors created -Advocate for engendering of University academic and administrative processes, operations and academic systems in place. Linkages to Industry and Society to promote university abilities- entrepreneurial Gender sensitive and Disadvantaged groups supportive systems. supportive Ensure variety of sports, activities like debates and other activities should co-exist with academics Students Extracurricular activities Support systems and extra-curricular
Conclusion Makerere University in no doubt is a strong and academically well rooted University. Its role in transformation of the socio-economic terrain of this country and beyond through excellent teaching, quality research and knowledge transfer partnership should be carefully and continuously built and expanded. This needs proactive, experienced leaders who value systems, team spirit and sensitive to the staff intellectual contributions and welfare. I am well nurtured, built by Makerere University and collaborative partners, well positioned to be a key pillar in this transformation. As a Rotarian, I am ready for the service above self to see Makerere university transformed for the better. Thank you
