[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

in reply to: Module 5, Session 1: Project Management and Time Planning #5924

A Post graduate course can be compared to project management where certain goals have to be achieved at specific times. The supervisor should know the background of the student that they are working with including their social, economic and professional background. This way, they are able to agree and set goals that work for the student. In this way misunderstandings are minimized. The student is then able to finish their PhD work within the stipulated timw provided by the university.

[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

in reply to: Module 4, Session 4: dive deeper #5795

My take here is on the Consistency and inconsistency in PhD thesis examination by Holbrook et al., (2008). They undertook a study in several Australian Universities to determine how external examiners recommendations influence the final decision of University examination committees in the assessment of Theses. Whereas the decisions by most of the unversity committees were consistent with the recommendations of the external examiners, there were still inconistencies that were experienced in certain universities, there recommendations by the external examiners were overruled. Indeed Holbrook et al., (2008) argue that there are no written down regulations on how Phd theses should be examined meaning that most universities are at liberty to rely on their laid down regulations to ensure that due process is followed during the examination of PhD theses.

In situations where the external examiners tend to recommend a resubmmission of the thesis, I feel that the Australian Universities should adopt a policy of inviting the external examiner to appear in person to defend thier position and not just support or overrule theor decisions. This is a position that is taken by some Universities in Kenya. Additionally, some universities make it mandatory for external examiners to be available for Vivas. In this way, students are able to get a break down of the recommendations by each member of the examination committee and have insights as to how the final decisions were made on their thesis: Whether it is accepted the way it is, with minor corrections, major corrections or may require a resubmission/

[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

in reply to: Module 4, Session 4: Food for thought #5773

My take on the Doctoral programme at the University of Antwerp is that it is meticulous and exhaustive and is likely to ensure that high standards are maintained by both staff and students. The assessment of resesearch and doctoral education done separately could be pertinent because whileresearch skills improve doctorate students ability to develop hypotheses and test theories and even amend these assumptions depending on the data collected, doctoral education on hand may assess other qualities that the students may have such as communication techniques, team work and other comptencies.

Bi yearly evaluation is important because it enables the faculty keep track on the students’ progress. It may also give insights on the challenges that students are facing and interventions that may be required. Yearly evaluation I believe ensures that the students are keeping up with the set milestones by the university such that studies dont drag on for too long.

I believe that the composition of the IPC and the Jury at Antwerp has been tried and tested and that at all times in maintains a balance that ensures that a doctoral student is treated justly and professionally at all times. This is because it is composed of the students supervisors, senior members of academic stuff and external members as well

I would recommend a pre defence session at all times because the student gets a chance to present their work before faculty members who are able to give criticisms and valuable inputs which can help to improve the quality of their work before the final public defence.

When a student qualifies to join doctoral studies at my university, they begin with course work in their discipline for an academic year. When they are done then they are assigned supervisors who help them develop their concept papers help them navigate through the processes required for them to be successful researchers. They may also be mentored by introducing them to relevant personalities in their areas of research, conferences and seminars. The examination of the thesis is done by a board of examiners nominated by the school of graduate studies which includes internal examiners who did not participate in the development of the thesis, and external examiner and representatives form various departments in the university involved in postgraduate studies

The students at my university are always required to write progress reports as well. the
approach by Antwerp is rigorous however our approach works and only needs to be improved on especially where the students progress is monitored more closely.

[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

in reply to: Module 4, Session 3: Coaching and Mentoring #5688

Coaching and mentoring can be used interchangeabley during student supervision because they can help to achieve different results. I believe mentoring can help with personal growth as the student is able to gain confidence through the encouragement and guidance of the supervisor. On the other hand Coaching the student will help bring out the best in them in terms of achieving certain goals and methods especially in postgraduate studies. Students mayb be pointed to the right literature personalities in their field including relevant methodologies and prodedures for completing their post graduate studies. In this case the mentoring and coaching will be relevant form the beginning till the end of the process.

[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

in reply to: Module 4, Session 1: Ethics in Research #5686

Ethical issues that are importsnt in the field of geography. First it is mandatory that integrity maintained in all areas of the research process including research methodology and research design. Additionally students are expected to avoid plaggiarism in all its forms. The researcher is also expected to keep the information that they receive from respondents confidential and treat each individual with respect. Where environmental experiments are concerned then environmental quality and safety prodedures must be adhered to.

Students are taken through an orientation process when they are admitted for post graduate studies. Moreover, courses like research methodology are important as they prepare the students for the tasks that lie ahead.

Students concepts and proposals are discussed at department and school levels before being discussed at the School of graduate studies. Afterwards they are presented to an ethics committee for approval
Deliberations about processes for obtaining ethical clearance at your institution.

[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

in reply to: Module 3, Session 3: Research approach and design #5683

The best approaches that would address questions on the “Effectivene Measures for COVID -19 control” in my opinion would be the mixed methods apporach.

First because COVID-19 is a new disease, scientists will need laboratory experiments first to decipher the DNA and RNA characteristics of the virus in order to come up with an effective vaccine.
Second as a result of the above tests, scientists would be in the laboratory to come up with appropriate vaccines hat can be able to halt the spread of the virus in the human body, wchich they would need to test on lab rats before using it on Humans.

Social Scientists would use qualitative approaches to determine human characteristics and behaviour predispose them to COVID-19
Additionally governments will have to grapple with the legal issues surrounding the surveilance of people and how the disease is spresding and the implications on human rights.

Overall the approach to COVID – 19 control is pragmatic in nature and therefore has to be apporached from multiple fronts

[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

in reply to: Module 3, Session 3: Disciplinary differences #5682

The discipline of geography is dynamic and lends itself to both the hierarcial and horizontal st4ructure of research depending on the phenomena that one is studying at some point. There are some aspects of geography that are scientific in nature and may require the testing of hypotheses while on the other hand there are aspects that are social anf may therefore require a horizontal approach. Having said that. The Multi disciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches are relevant in My case because Geography as a subject covers a wide array of disciplines.

[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

in reply to: Module 2, Session 4: EPE resources’ assessment #5611

While I appreciate the vast resources provided in this section. The segment on how to avoid plagiarism was eye opening. additional component on what is intentional plagiarism and why people do it was also informative

[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

in reply to: Module 2, Session 2: Scholarly community of practice #5394

A scholar is an academician with expertise and knowledge in a certain field. Scholarship is important for me because it keeps me motivated to achieve the best and keep improving my knowledge in my discipline

Being active in the academic community means that we are always networking with the different players to achieve different goals. these could be research oriented. Support in terms of supervision and examination. Publishing and disseminating research findings and comming up with new innovations. it also involves collaboration with professional organisations so that we keep abreast and stay relevant to meet society’s needs.

Students can be introduced to the academic community through research projects and collaborations with variuous organisations

A supervisor support network is important because it it through these networks that one is able to collaborate on various issues including projects that they can use to engage post graduate students. It is also through these networks that supervisors can get new experiences in terms of methodologies and skills. Such networks can be built through joint projects, conferences and research works.

I have not personal experience with academic jealousy so I will not commenton the subject. However, I believe that I can make useful contributions if I was part of a network with mutual respect

[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

in reply to: Module 1, Session 4: National Policies #5347

In Kenya Post Graduate studies are guided by the National policy on Post graduate research and training which is the brain child of the Commission for University Education, a body mandated to set standards for the quality of training, post graduate research and supervision in all universities in Kenya.
A variety of topical areas are covered by the National Policy on University Post-Graduate Research and Training. Institutional Policies and Regulations, Students Admission Process, Learning Environment, Institutional Support Systems, and Funding are the broad categories.
Graduate school policies and regulations govern postgraduate student training at universities. Most universities have also adopted research policies that place a greater emphasis on postgraduate research. The majority of policies, on the other hand, are not easily available to students and staff.
In Kenya, all universities have the same minimum admission standards for post-graduate training. Applicants for a Doctor of Philosophy degree are usually expected to submit a research proposal. This method, on the other hand, works effectively when the number of pupils is minimal in comparison to the number of faculty members.
Additionally, the policy addresses the widespread problem of plagiarism in universities. This is attributed to the ease with which students can obtain information in electronic form via the internet, as well as the increase in student numbers. The integrity of students’ research output has been called into question as a result of this

[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

in reply to: Module 1, Session 2: Supervision with a humanizing pedagogy #5254

Many thanks for the PowerPoint Slide. We are able to gain insights on issues of social inclusion that enable us to understand postgraduate students better, thereby helping them navigate their journey to proficient knowledge.

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