• 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.