Faculty Training Programmes at Daystar University
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- Daystar University
- 10 Nov, 2023
By Rev. Steven Nduto
Throughout
the year 2023, Daystar University’s Faculty Training Programmes have been incredibly
successful. This experience is exemplified by this year’s graduation theme,
“Legacy of Light: Woven in Purpose,” derived from Ephesians 2:10: “For we are
his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand so that we would walk in them.” In other words, Daystar University
remains fiercely guided by the divine conviction to prepare and release
“Redemptive Change Agents” in, across, and beyond Africa.
The
University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Laban Ayiro, along with his outstanding
Deputy Vice Chancellors, Prof. Faith Nguru (DVC Academic, Research and Student
Affairs), and Prof. Muturi Wachira (DVC Finance, Administration and Planning),
have passionately devised, championed, and supported the Daystar success story
of faculty training programmes. These training programmes have resulted in
improved teaching practises and student learning outcomes at Daystar
University. The programmes have enhanced teaching abilities, pedagogical
techniques, faculty engagement and motivation, as well as student retention
rates. The Vice- Chancellor has implemented Problem- Based Learning (PBL), a
pedagogical technique that entails the assessment and identification of
problems, followed by the development of a customised training module and the
implementation of an interactive and experiential learning method. PBL has
proven to be a highly effective strategy with numerous opportunities for
collaboration, shared learning, and ongoing mentorship programmes.
This
year, the DVC ARSA Prof. Faith Nguru, got the opportunity to mentor several
staff members including Rev. Steven Nduto, Rev. Dr. Perminus Mburu, Ms. Irene
Kimani, and Rev. Fredrick Ogore. Based on her explicit recommendation, Rev.
Steven Nduto was appointed as Faculty Coach for the International Network for
Christian Higher Education (INCHE), with the mandate to supervise the Africa
2023 Project on “Preparing Redemptive Change Agents”.
Rev.
Nduto’s appointment positioned him as the Faculty Coach for a group of 15
Christian Professors and lecturers from five different Christian universities
within the East and Southern Africa region. In East Africa, he is providing
coaching to faculty members from Daystar University, Pan Africa Christian
University, Vision Bible College, and Uganda Christian University. The faculty
members in South Africa are affiliated with Akademie Reformatoriese Opleiding
En Studies (AROS).
INCHE
institutions interested in participating in this initiative would select a team
leader who will recruit two additional faculty members to coordinate a monthly
professional learning circle throughout the year 2023. As one of the INCHE
institutions, Daystar University appointed Rev. Dr. Perminus Mburu as the team
leader for the INCHE Africa 2023 Project, where he is leading two other faculty
members, Rev. Fredrick Ogore and Ms. Irene Kimani. Regular consultations have
taken place between the team leader and one or more of the four project
coaches, all of whom have extensive experience in Christian higher education.
They include Shirley Roels (INCHE executive director), Abraham Waigi (Research
Fellow at the Andrew Walls Centre, Liverpool Hope University as well as the
Faculty Coach in charge of West Africa Region), Steven Nduto (Lecturer of
Religion, Daystar University), and Susan Felch (Professor of English emerita,
Calvin University).
During
this project year, each of the three university members’ professional learning
circles read and discussed the book “Developing Redemptive Change Agents:
Discipleship that Helps Nations Flourish Rather Than Flounder” by Robert
Osburn; completed two professional development modules offered by Calvin
University’s de Vries Institute for Global Faculty Development, namely
“Educating for Shalom” and “Sin.” Each team then prepares a written description
and presentation of its key project to be presented in an in-person conference
in November 2023, which will be held at CORAT Africa in Kenya between 27th and
29th November.
INCHE
is a global organisation of individuals and institutions with a shared goal of
serving Jesus Christ as Lord by promoting the global growth of Christian higher
education, in addition to Faculty Development in Christian Universities. In the
Africa 2023 Project, the objective is to prepare all the staff members in
Christian Universities to become Redemptive Change Agents in their respective
Christian Universities. Since 1975, INCHE has invested in Christian higher
education in Sub-Saharan Africa, and over the past four decades, the
organisation has held a number of conferences and funded initiatives in the
region. In the most recent period, 2018 - 2022, INCHE collaborated with five
African Christian universities in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana to
strengthen Christian teacher education programmes through the provision of
additional library resources and central understandings of Christian teaching
and learning.
This
article is therefore to commemorate the Faculty Training Programmes at Daystar
University through the ongoing support from the Vice Chancellor and his Deputy
Vice Chancellors. The programmes have enhanced the skills, knowledge, and
efficacy of Daystar University faculty members, ensuring that they are
well-equipped to provide students with a high-quality education and to keep up
with evolving pedagogical methods and technologies. The Daystar University
Faculty have been exposed to Pedagogical Training, Technology Integration,
Research Skills, Diversity and Inclusion, Mentoring and Advising, Assessment,
Professional Development, Teaching Innovations, Leadership Development, Ethical
and Legal Considerations, Teaching Evaluation and Feedback, and
Interdisciplinary Collaboration as a result of these Faculty Training
initiatives.
In
conclusion, the Faculty Training Programs at Daystar University have been
highly effective in meeting the specific needs and goals of the university and
its faculty members. These trainings continue to play a crucial role in
equipping faculty members with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver a
high-quality education and contribute to the overall success of the university.
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