Authors
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John K. Chang'ach
Alupe University
Author
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Mercy Chemutai Barasa
Moi University
Author
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Cornelius Rugut
Moi University
Author
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Janet Ronoh
Moi University
Author
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Ezekiel Chemwor
Moi University
Author
Keywords:
Challenges, Opportunities, Doctoral Supervision
Abstract
In a changing doctoral supervision environment, challenges and opportunities in doctoral supervision need to be better understood to provide the right support for quality doctoral supervision. This paper offers a contextual literature review of the challenges and opportunities in the East African higher education landscape. It is demonstrated that despite the new approaches that have emerged over time on effective doctoral supervision, universities in East Africa still face low graduate completion rates and poor research output. This emerges from key challenges including poor student-supervisor relationships, differences in research orientation between students and their supervisors, and administrative issues including a shortage of doctoral supervisors, high supervisor workload, and inadequate administrative support. Nonetheless, several opportunities for improving doctoral supervision in East Africa are identified including capacity building, collaborative supervision, and leveraging of technology. It is therefore recommended that Universities take advantage of emerging solutions to challenges in doctoral supervision especially inter-university collaboration and capacity-building.
Author Biographies
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John K. Chang'ach, Alupe University
John Chang'ach is a Professor of History at Moi University with over 18 years of experience in teaching, research, and consultancy, specializing in postgraduate supervision. Currently, John serves as the acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic, Research, and Student Affairs (ARSA) at Alupe University, contributing significantly to university research and innovation.
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Mercy Chemutai Barasa, Moi University
Mercy Chemutai Barasa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science Education from Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda; and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Pan Africa Christian University, Kenya. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Research and Evaluation at Moi University, Kenya. Until the commencement of her PhD studies, she served as a Headteacher and a teacher of Biology and Chemistry in at the secondary level in Uganda. Her research interests include educational leadership, educational policy, and teacher professional development.
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Cornelius Rugut, Moi University
Cornelius Kipleting Rugut holds a PhD in Curriculum Studies from Moi University and a Master of Education Research from Nelson Mandela University. Rugut has taught in secondary school for 15 years. He is currently a teaching practice mentor for students of Kenyatta University, a senior teacher and a senior examiner of the Kenya National Examinational Council. His research interest is in topics of higher education and issues in curriculum development, instruction and implementation.
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Janet Ronoh, Moi University
Janet Chepchirchir Ronoh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education Arts from Moi University, Kenya, and a Master’s degree in Educational Research from Nelson Mandela University-South Africa. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Curriculum Studies at Moi university. Ms Ronoh is a CERM-ESA alumnus and has an extensive experience in teaching. Her research interests include: indigenous knowledge, curriculum instruction, and teacher education.
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Ezekiel Chemwor, Moi University
Ezekiel K. Chemwor is a teacher by profession with experience of over fifteen years. He holds a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood and Primary Education from Moi University (Kenya) and a Master of Education in Research from Nelson Mandela University (South Africa). He is currently a PhD student at Moi University pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology of Education. His fields of research include education, curriculum development and pedagogy.
