DIRECTORATE OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
REPORT OF THE POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION WORKSHOP
Date: 2nd July - 4th July, 2024
Venue: Physical Science Theatre Room 3
1.0 Preamble
The Directorate of Postgraduate Studies organized a Supervision and Mentorship Workshop to address the needs of postgraduate supervisors and improve the completion rates of postgraduate students. Sponsored by TAGDev, the three-day workshop focused on sharing challenges, enhancing supervisor commitment, and building necessary skills.
2.0 Target Group
The workshop targeted all postgraduate lecturers who teach and supervise master’s and PhD students. Although 205 teaching staff showed interest, the first phase trained 105 participants.
3.0 Theme of the Workshop
Theme: "Workshop on Supervision and Mentorship"
This theme provided an excellent opportunity for postgraduate supervisors to discuss supervision and mentorship, share challenges, and improve the overall postgraduate program.
4.0 Workshop Program
Day One Topics:
- Guidelines on the selection and appointment of supervisors
- Roadmap to timely completion of postgraduate studies
- Ethical issues in postgraduate supervision
- Roles of supervisors and students
- Supervisor-student expectations
Day One Issues Discussed:
- Admissions criteria clarity
- International student supervision
- Application procedures and delays
- Supervisor nomination and approval process
- Examination payment adherence
- Supervisor selection challenges
- Publication requirements
Day One Suggestions:
- Provide student handbooks
- Compare supervision practices with other universities
- Encourage regular student-supervisor meetings
- Enforce policies for staff supervision involvement
- Document supervision rules
- Offer guidance on publication processes
Day Two Topics:
- Conflict management in supervision
- Challenges in supervision
- Social support in supervision
- Introduction to anti-plagiarism software (Turnitin)
- Dealing with plagiarism
Day Two Issues Discussed:
- Student discomfort with supervisor combinations
- Language barriers with some students
- Research fund access challenges
- Supervisor-student conflicts
Day Two Suggestions:
- Allocate supervisors based on expertise
- Manage inter-departmental supervisor conflicts
- Meet international student funding requirements
- Encourage good will among supervisors
Day Three Topics:
- Research proposal development guidelines
- Thesis writing and publication guidelines
- Thesis examination procedures
- Feedback survey and official closing remarks
Day Three Issues Discussed:
- Supervisor support guidelines
- Tuition fee increase concerns
- Payment delays for examiners
- Processing delays for student documents
- Supervisor allocation discrepancies
Day Three Suggestions:
- Embrace online and blended defenses
- Ensure supervisor presence in oral examinations
- Expedite thesis examination processes
- Update postgraduate curriculum and handbooks
- Change the term "Supervisor" to "Advisor/Mentor"
8.0 Conclusion
The workshop exceeded attendance expectations, providing supervisors with valuable insights and feedback. Participants appreciated the transformation and embraced new supervision strategies.
9.0 Recommendations
- Hold regular workshops
- Implement thesis examination rubrics
- Encourage teaching staff participation
- Allocate financial resources for workshops
- Encourage faculty participation in events
For further information, please contact us at bpgs@egerton.ac.ke or visit our website at www.egerton.ac.ke.
Appendices: Photos