UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF STUDENTS
REPORT FOR 2011
The office of the Dean of Students is primarily concerned with student affairs to
help address the wholistic growth, development and well being of students in
support of the universities vision, mission, and objectives.
Dealing with these responsibilities requires a multi-disciplinary task force.
Consequently the office is staffed with experienced professionals of diverse
backgrounds, and is headed by the Dean of Students. Staff includes a Placement
officer, Counselling Psychologists/ CounselIors, Chaplains, Assistant Deans of
Students an Administrative Assistant and support staff. The officers often work in
liaison with different University departments as well as with, student
representatives, and parents and maintain contact with outside agencies and the
community to help carry out the mandate of this office effectively and efficiently..
The office of the Dean of Students is involved in varied activities that include
advocacy and liaison activities, pastoral work, counselling, work placement,
social and financial support, facilitation of student activities and programmes,
Registration of Students Organizations, processing HELB/CDF forms and other
financial assistance and the administrative tasks that emanate from these tasks.
The office encourages students’ positive involvement in internal and external
events and programmes often planning and facilitating activities with them that
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enhance their professional and personal well- being and seek to nurture the right
values, strong social responsibility and responsible citizenship.
In this effort the office facilitates ongoing programmes that develop student
leadership skills, give students an awareness of topical issues such as HIV/AIDS
and careers, often supporting student participation in projects that encourage
innovativeness and creativity, including a positive interaction with the community
and the environment.
The office also addresses issues pertaining to students with disability, and
disseminates up- to- date information general to the university, and specific to the
office.
The office treats with confidentiality all information of a personal nature in its
interactions with its clients
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES THE OFFICE OF
THE DEAN OF STUDENTS IS MANDATED TO CARRY OUT
Programmes Throughout the academic year, programmes are sponsored by the
Office of the Dean of Students. Particular attention is given to incoming students
who are invited to orientation activities. The office also encourages and supports
student’s organizations in the development and implementation of programmes
to meet student’s needs.
Students Organizations
The registration of student organizations and services are provided by the Office
of the Dean of Students. Students may form associations and clubs, but they
should check to see if there is already an existing organisation that meets their
needs. Student Organisations are advised to have their calendar of
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events/activities co-ordinated by the office of the Assistant Deans of Students on
their respective campus. Through these organisations students have been able
to participate in community activities, professionally related events, attend
international conferences and meetings that have helped them develop their
social, and leadership skills.
Advocacy and Liaison Activities
The office of the Dean of Students is responsible for safeguarding students’
rights while also seeing to it that students adhere to the provided code of
conduct. This task is no small one, as it requires the officers to represent student
welfare interests in the various University committees, appeal and disciplinary
hearings and in special meetings and task forces.
Placement Services:
The placement office seeks to address the work
placement needs, for recent graduates as well as continuing students. This office

Assists students find employment

Helps facilitate industrial attachments

Facilitates vocational and voluntary employment

Maintains a curriculum vitae bank

Holds career fairs and exhibitions

Organizes career talks, giving career information and advice

Posts on notice boards employment opportunities

Helps facilitate the recruitment of students in governmental,
international and various other organizations.
In 2011, the placement office had 21 Career Talks with approximately 4000
Students attending. Some of the organizations giving these talks Included
Nation Media Group, East African Breweries, Microsoft, World Bank, CITI
Bank, Kenya ICT Board, Unilever, PWC,
Bamburi Cement, Equity Bank,
KASNEB, NSSF, Housing Finance , BAT, PKF, General Electric Company.
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Our students got attachments in various organizations amongst these the
United Nations Office In Nairobi (UNON); ICRAF, CFC, Maersk International,
TNT, Bamburi, varied banks, including Cooperative Bank , Barclays, and
KCB, jobs in varied government bodies and parastatals.
Chaplaincy
The chaplaincy endeavors to provide an enabling environment in which the
student will hopefully grow into a whole human person. The University therefore
recognizes the need for services of a spiritual nature. Our Chaplaincy is staffed
by religious leaders (one Protestant, one Catholic and one Muslim) and offers
general support and guidance while also drawing attention to the spiritual value
within the various faiths. The services of the Chaplaincy are open to the entire
University Community. Some of these services and activities include: guidance,
conducting religious ceremonies e.g. weddings, baptisms, burials , conducting
regular worship services, hosting seminars and workshops, and coordinating
religious activities at the University.
ACTIVITIES AT ST PAUL’S CATHOLIC CHAPLAINCY
The Catholic Chaplaincy of the University of Nairobi is active in all the campuses
of the University. Each campus is led by a community committee made up of
officials from the various groups that constitutes the campus catholic community.
At the basic level in all campuses is the Bible study Group. Other active groups
within the chaplaincy are as follows: 
Young Christian Union (YCS)

Rosary/Prayer Group

Pro-Life Group

Catholic Life Community (CLC)

Challenge Group

Ex-seminarians Group
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
Friends of St. Paul

Peace Groups

Students Choir

Theatre Group

Eucharistic ministers and lectors, Liturgical dancers
:
At the leadership level, the catholic chaplain organizes

2 annual leadership workshops away from campus

Meets leaders especially the intercampus committee, for counsel and
dialogue in general.

Gives guidance while planning for common occasions like the annual
student trip,

Facilitates an annual student mass and annual retreat
At the community level has

Celebrated the sacraments according to an official schedule

Organized for external clergy to augment activities of the chaplaincy for
the benefit of the students and staff of the university

Counselled students at the chaplaincy main campus office, at St. Paul’s
chapel office and other campuses with prior arrangement.

Guided, encouraged and involved students in charitable activities outside
campuses for instance visitations to children’s homes, cleaning up during
environmental week, car washes for fundraising for student activities and
charitable activities etc.

Organized for first year student reception and orientation within the
campuses

Organized for faith the 10- session growth in the catholic faith teaching
workshops in all the campuses. This is an ongoing activity.
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
Organized catechism classes for those interesting in joining the Catholic
Church, reception of First Holy Communion, Confirmation etc., in each
campus.

Provided meeting halls at St. Paul’s Chaplaincy for faith group meetings
and other social activities.

Housed a Student Coordinator at St. Paul’s chaplaincy grounds for ease
of service and availability to students.

Provided meeting space at St. Pauls Chapel for the AA (Alcoholics
Anonymous) for the benefit of students and staff of the university.
THE OFFICE OF THE UNIVERSITY MUSLIM CHAPLAIN (IMAM)
It caters for the spiritual and religious activities of the Muslim fraternity within the
University community. Services of my office are also open to the entire University
community on religious matters related to the Islamic faith. The office
• Ensures weekly religious activities in all campuses
• Avail guidance and counselling services in all campuses
• Initiate and coordinate students’ leadership seminars and workshops
• Initiate and promote inter-faith dialogue
• Work with Muslims students association in each campus
IN 2011 THE MUSLIM CHAPLAINCY HELD
1. Annual Quran recitation competition which was held at the 8-4-4- hall.
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The competition is held every year.
memorizing the Quran.
Our students participate in reciting and
The Muslims Students Association of University of
Nairobi (MSAUN) provides gifts to the winners in the competition.
2. Celebration of Eid ul Fitr
During the holiday of Eid ul Fitr, MSAUN in conjunction with mu office organize
for a lunch for Muslim students of all campuses.
Donations are made by
students and well wishers to contribute towards the expenses of preparing the
lunch.
3. Ramadhan iftar programme
During the month of Ramadhan (August/September 2009) MSAUN and the
chaplaincy contacted Muslim organizations to provide food stuff for iftar
programme for the whole month of Ramadhan. Meals were provided to most of
the campuses. Parallel students were provided with snacks.
4. Welcoming the fresher’s and orientation (Marahaba day)
Two welcoming parties were organised during 2009: one in Mamlaka Dinning
Hall and the other one in Chiromo campus for medical students.
5. Monthly talks
In every month, MSAUN organized talks through by inviting Muslim scholars to
address relevant topics.
6. Medical camps
Muslim students at the Medical college organized a medical camp in Dujis
through the MP of the area.
COUNSELLING Students facing a crisis, or trying to cope with major emotional
difficulties, seeking to make a positive adjustment in life, or simply need someone
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to listen to them, are encouraged to seek the necessary assistance through the
counselors. Our team of experienced university staff is made up of Psychologists
and Counsellors /Assistant Deans of students, and chaplains. They offer
students
the
necessary
professional
support,
guidance,
counselling/psychotherapy, and makes referrals. Most counselling is carried out
on an individual face to face basis. However, telephone and e- counselling is also
availed
to
students.
Hundreds
of
students
seek
help
through
Counselors/Psychologists and Assistant Deans of Students each year for varied
reasons.
Staffs in this office often liaise with the University Health Services, various
university administrators, and academic staff, Student Welfare Authority (SWA),
university security, the Special Student Advisor and external organizations to
address the varied emotional, social, physical and psychological issues of
students.
The office has been involved in the facilitation of student talks and training for
students growth and development and coordinates Peer Counsellor training and
activities, HIV/AIDS awareness and behaviour change, groups such as
Alcoholics Anonymous, support group for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
Some of the issues addressed include:

Family ad Relationship issues

Stress / and crisis Management

Addictions (Drugs / Alcohol, Etc.)

Pregnancy counselling and support

Sexual Harassment, assault and related concerns

Emotional issues

Trauma

Career concerns

Financial Needs

Academic related Issues
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
Health Concerns (Including VCT for HIV/Aids)

Spiritual Affairs

Personality concerns

Disability concerns

Violence

Others
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
The Office of the Dean of Students, is fully engaged in the task of helping
transform the university environment into one in which gifted and deserving
students with disability will have an equal opportunity to acquire an education
and as much as possible participate in the various aspects of university life. This
includes facilitating access to university buildings, providing services, awareness
activities and advocating for accommodating university policies and procedures.
The following support services are available;
Advocacy and /or advice on issues related to disability
•
Suitable accommodation for students with disability.
•
Provision of disability aids such as hearing aids,
•
Repair and maintenance of mobility, visual and auditory aids
•
Sign language training and interpreter services for the
hearing impaired
•
Braille services and printed material in alternative formats for
the visually impaired
•
Consultative and counselling support for students with
disabilities
•
Transport within and outside of the University for students
with physical disabilities.
In brief, our mission is to provide an enabling environment for students with
disabilities so that they can successfully complete their studies and become
productive members of the society.
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Currently the University of Nairobi has 27 students with varied forms of disability.
There has been an effort by the university to create a greater awareness among
its staff on disability issues. Students in the Module II programme have been
provided with housing in the university halls of residence, accessibility has been
enhanced with ramps being erected in most buildings and lifts repaired. A data
base of students with disabilities is maintained for work placement and
employment which remains a challenge. The organization for students with
disabilities is in the process of being revived. Adequate numbers of sign
language interpreters remains a challenge. Implementation of the action plans
developed in 2004 will be helpful in improving lives for students with disability.
The following are some of the varied activities facilitated by the Office of
the Dean of Students in the year 2011

The orientation of incoming students at the various colleges.

The publication of the annual Students Information Handbook and its
distribution to all incoming students through the colleges.

The processing of student proposals for the registration of student
organizations.
By the year 2010 the office had registered over 147
student organizations.

Contributions to several committees, to address the various issues
pertaining to students such as students discipline, orientation of new
students, bed space and room allocation at the halls of residence,
volunteerism, disabilities, the management of records, ISO etc.

March - Tree Planting – Karura Forest, and Mau Forest,

July -SONU Donation Of Books To Nandi Primary School

August- University Choir Won Kenya Music Festival

Dec- WOSWA- Women’s Students Welfare Association held a dinner to
raise Money for Girl Child’s Sanitary Needs.
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
Feb- Rotaract club held a Community Service University Clean up Activity.

St Pauls Community -clean up exercise in Mathare Slum.

May- students held an environmental Awareness Walk sponsored by
Safaricom

August- KMUN Students Participated – 9 (nine) Students attended the
Copenhagen Conference.

Sept- Scouts Camp- Students Climbed Mt Kenya

April- Career exhibition held by ECOSA – Economic Student’s
Organization.

Career talks –were organized by students at various campuses.

Vision 2030 talk was organized by ECOSA. The talk was given by the
Minister of Planning.

Students participated In the following televised programmes.
-Zain Challenge
-NSE Challenge
-Capital Market Challenge


Dec- Christian Union mission to Teso
Students Participated and displayed their projects at the International
Trade Fair

Staff and students participated in the Universities Exhibition.

Staff and students participated in the university of Nairobi Open Day

Staff and students participated in activities pertaining to the World Aids
Day.

Staff and students participated in the university graduation activities with
the latter also providing entertainment for guests.

SONU leaders visited Gweta High School in Homabay to donate
computers and encourage high school students to take up sciences.

Home visits were also made by staff as a follow-up of students for student
support / information.
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
The Planning Students Association held a Sports day bringing together all
student s of the Built Environment.

The College of Architecture and Engineering (CAE) facilitated a visit to a
children’s home in Buruburu and donated foodstuffs and held an
interactive session with the children aged between 8-23 years.

Career talks were held in the surrounding community in girls schools
encouraging them to pursue sciences.
CHALLENGES, RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE PLANS
To enhance the world class status of the University of Nairobi the following are
some recommendations and future plans

The student population has increased considerably in the past few years
and yet the number of counsellors has not. This limits the outreach and
impact of counselling and its related services. Although all colleges have
an Assistant Dean of Students not all outlying campuses have counsellors
and not all Assistant Deans of Students are Counsellors therefore making
it difficult for some students to access counselling and related services. In
some colleges there is only one member of staff to manage over 3000
students. Therefore, there is need to increase appropriate staff in this
office and increase the numbers of student Peer Counsellors in each
campus. Peer counsellors are a known feature in many world class
universities. Because they operate at the grass root level they are in a
position to easily reach out and help or refer their colleagues in need of
help to professional university counsellors. Their training which should be
annual needs to be encouraged and appropriately supported and
coordinated.

There is still a greater focus on module 1 students who readily receive
information and varied services from this office. Students in other modules
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do not readily receive this information and are therefore not often aware of
the existence of services offered by the office of the Dean of Students.
There is need to increase the number of materials published and further
post information concerning this office and its services on the University
intranet.

Facilitating student activities such as trainings e.g. for student peer
counsellors, varied workshops , retreats, trips, religious services, liturgical
celebrations, proposed library for spiritual nourishment at the chaplaincy
and proper career services, encouraging greater intercampus, regional
links in matters of faith and other useful activities, equipping catholic
student campus offices and prayer rooms/chapels as well as the
remuneration for various persons and students for their work and effort
towards this development of students sometimes requires external and
numerous resources. Accessing these is often a great challenge.

Muslim students in the main campus need a place for prayer. Currently,
Muslim students pray on the open grounds which are inconvenient for
Muslim female student. Some proposals have been made for the
designation of a prayer place for Muslim students.

Increase number of sign language interpreters.

Need for chaplaincy based professional counsellors to add to the four
already active in voluntary student counselling

Implementation of the action plan for disabilities developed in 2004

Admission forms to the university should include disability issues to help
streamline the services provided.

Address job placement issues for planning and other purposes such as
the number of our students employed each year and by whom. In
particular address work placement issues for students with disabilities as
the latter remains a major challenge.
Concerning staff
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
The multiple roles of Counsellors/ Assistant Deans of Students often
means counsellors’ professionalism is easily compromised with last
minute cancellations or postponement of services, and interruptions during
sessions.

Counsellors and Assistant Deans of Students are in danger of becoming
professionally redundant because of the lack of support for professional
growth and development (e.g. little or no involvement in university,
national, regional and international meetings/conferences /courses/
research, professional supervision) and no clearly defined career, path.
Some staff members have been in the same position for several years.
Issues of job security also need redress.

Improved work conditions to enhance the delivery of services (appropriate
office space, clean work environment, the relevant technology that is now
standard in modern offices e.g. telephones/computers, cabinets for
storage of confidential materials, proper furniture, support staff), is lacking
in some of the offices for Counsellors/Assistant Deans of Students.

Counsellors /Assistant Deans of Student s sometimes work after office
hours or at student functions on weekends/evenings using their own
personal resources e.g. mobile phones /transport. And yet only some
officers receive telephone credit from the University/are reimbursed for
transport to facilitate their work. It’s important to standardise and equitably
distribute these for effective facilitation of work and avoid demoralization of
staff.

Enhance communication from central administration to staff in this office.

Provision of resources for staff professional development and growth.
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