Senate approves online examinations

In response to the negative effects of Covid-19 on teaching and learning, the University of Nairobi Senate approved guidelines and procedures for online examinations on 8th May 2020. The Special Senate was chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Prof.S.G.Kiama. The Senate relied on the provisions of Statutes- xxv that gives senate the mandate over all academic matters in the University. The University had adopted e-learning in March following the government’s ban on meetings and congregations to check the spread of the virus. During his online address to all staff and students, Prof. Kiama lauded the success of online teaching and learning at UoN. He observed that 5,564 online class sessions had so far been held from the time that the implementation commenced. The Vice-Chancellor thanked staff and students for their cooperation in adopting e-learning. The Vice Chancellor reiterated that the guidelines and procedures for online exams had been benchmarked against global best practices and that the quality and integrity will not be compromised. The VC acknowledged that students with special needs and other disadvantaged groups may face difficulties in undertaking online exams but their issues shall be addressed individually as they arise. The online examination guidelines were developed in consultation with stakeholders including professional bodies and regulatory authorities. With online teaching and learning streamlined, the University will now embark on preparations for the September graduation. ‘ I want to share a message of hope with our final year students that their graduation will be held as scheduled on 25th September 2020’- Said Prof. Kiama