The University of Nairobi is a public institution and one of the leading Universities in Sub Saharan Africa. It has strong capacity for teaching and research. It also has a well-established online and blended mode of learning structure through its Open, Distance, and eLearning Campus whose role is to transform teaching and learning and consequently improve the quality of graduates. As the University of Nairobi evolved since its inception in 1956, it developed and sustained a strong component of distance learning. Currently, the University has 25 full programs and over 700 courses offered by open, distance and electronic learning (ODeL) mode of delivery. The mandate of the ODeL function is to sensitize and create awareness in all academic units of the University, build capacity in courseware development and production, facilitate program delivery and learner support and carry out research and evaluation of ODeL programs and services. As a result of implementing this initiative, teaching staff have been trained to write digital learning content and record their lessons which have been converted and uploaded onto the University Learning Management System which is Moodle-based.
In the face of the Covi19 pandemic and subsequent closure of learning institutions, the University tapped into its investment in ICT and ODeL to quickly adjust and transition to online learning. The adoption of web conferencing technologies such as Zoom, Google Meet, Google Hangouts and Google Classroom, Webex and the Big Blue Button have been adopted.Over 65,000 students and 6,000 members of teaching and non-teaching staff have been trained, and are effectively utilizing these platforms. The successful transition is owed to strong and focused leadership, teamwork and existence of operational structures such as the ODeL Campus and the ICT Centre. This transition has been possible because of its strong complement and synergy of its human resources in distance learning and ICT.
STEPHEN KIAMA GITAHI was born in Nyeri County in central Kenya, in 1964. Prof. Kiama Gitahi is Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi and served as Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Human Resources and Administration, as well as Principal of the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences. Prof. Kiama was awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Structural Biology at the University of Bern.
He was promoted to the rank of professor in 2016. Throughout his 29 years of academic career, Prof. Kiama Gitahi supervised 12 Ph.D. students, 14 master students, and published over 140 papers and conference papers. He gained rich research experience at various institutions, including University of St Andrews (Scotland), Free University of Berlin (Germany), University of Bern (Switzerland), University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), and University of Ghana (Ghana).
Julius Ogeng’o, is the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs University of Nairobi and Professor of Human Anatomy. He is a Medical Doctor specialized in Human Anatomy, and holds BSc, MBChB, PhD, MD and DSc degrees from the University of Nairobi.
Prof. Ogeng’o is an accomplished researcher and fluent author with over 250 scientific publications. The publications cover vascular anatomical variations, vascular structure, cardiovascular pathology, neuropathology and stroke, human variability and general contemporary health issues. He is the Editor – in – Chief of the Anatomy Journal of Africa.
Julius Ogeng’o is a seasoned Human Anatomy teacher who has authored the dissection manuals and text used by Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. He is also the author of OG Anatomy.org, an online Human Anatomy learning platform. He has supervised and mentored thousands of undergraduate and postgraduate students.
He is former Director Centre for Self Sponsored Programmes, Managing Director of University of Nairobi Enterprises and Services and Chairman of Department of Human Anatomy. He has wide management experience, characterized by extensive knowledge, skills and competencies in strategic frameworks for administration of University Education, resource management; visionary result oriented leadership, management of academic programmes, managerial skills, strategy formulation and implementation.
He has served and continues to serve on many University Policy and Strategy formulation committees and boards, held several community leadership positions, attended many trainings in management and leadership and won several local and international recognitions and accolades.
