RE-ASSURANCES AND CLARIFICATIONS TO THE STUDENT COMMUNITY ABOUT ONLINE, DISTANCE AND ELEARNING, AND EXAMS

1) I thank the student community for keeping the engagement with the University administration on matters of their plight regarding online, distance and eLearning and examinations (ODeL). I also thank all staff who are currently assisting students in coping with the new situation of remote learning.

2) My earlier circular that was released immediately after the Presidential announcement on the recent lockdown and closure of among others education institutions were categorical and very clear on the need for continuity of teaching and learning and online examinations.

3) The University continues to make efforts to ensure that the ODeL system gets better and accessible to all. Major investments have been made to that effect and will continue in the coming months in order to make KIU have the best, robust, dynamic and accessible system.

4) We are also aware that, at the moment it is not possible to reach all the students registered with the university. However, provisions have made that for any student who may not be able to access the system or even continue with the academic programmes of their School/Faculty/College, all they need to do is to communicate with their appropriate departments. This may also be via their student programme or class coordinators.

5) You are also aware that, before the recent lockdown, face-to-face Continuous Assessment Exams (CAT) had been done for several academic programmes. And therefore, the remaining component of the assessments and exams will be conducted for students who will be able to access the online system.

6) All those students who will not be able to do online exams are assured that once the situation normalizes, and they are able to access the University, arrangements will be made so that the missed exams are conducted. For now, the timelines for face-to-face return to the campuses remains unknown until the closure of educational institutions is lifted.

7) There is no penalty for missing the online exams as some fake news has been going round to divert students’ attention. Other claims that the online exams have been postponed are also false and should be ignored. The schedule for the online exams remains as already communicated.

8) It is also not true that students were not consulted about the online exams. They were involved all through to the University Senate level. Those who are appearing in news media outlets claiming that students were not involved in the decision are advancing their own interests and should be ignored.

9) We are in receipt of directives and communication from the National Council for Higher Education to continue with online programmes and comply with the presidential directive of closure in order to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

10) KIU will continue to benchmark at national, regional and international levels in order to improve its systems of online teaching, learning, research, innovations and community outreach activities.

11) I wish all the students the best of luck in their exams. There is no need to panic, all will be well. Please do not hesitate to contact the University in case you need any further guidance in these very challenging times.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely