Introduction
The meeting started with a word of prayer from Ms. Hellen Oyamo. The Director IODeL then welcomed everyone and expressed his joy that the repair works were finally getting underway. He informed those present that Moi University submitted a proposal to École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland and Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique, Morocco for the creation of a Centre of Competence in Digital Education (C-CoDE) under the Digital Education Plan, and that the project was selected to be part of the programme in September 2020.
Through the partnership, Moi University was to benefit from the creation and development of a Centre of Competence in Digital Education and the training of a sizable cohort of professors in online teaching, as well as the training of experts in pedagogical re-engineering and of technical staff who would help run the Centre.
The Launch of Repair Works
The launch of repair works was organized by the Director, Institute of Open and Distance e-Learning on 1st February, 2023, and brought together the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration, Planning & Strategy), the Ag. Chief Finance Officer, the University Development Officers, the Procurement Unit, IODeL staff and members of Estates & Maintenance.
In his brief remarks, the Director pointed out that the purpose of the Centre was to train all lecturers on how to record their teaching resources for both blended and distance learning and ensure no student is left behind, regardless of where they are. The Centre will also require technicians who will assist in training lecturers on how to prepare digital content for effective teaching and learning. The Director urged the maintenance staff present to work as a team to ensure a smooth completion of the project, and requested that in-house plants be included in the beautification of the Centre. He assured members that EPFL had received the invoice from the University and that funds should be available shortly.
The Head of the Estates & Maintenance office noted that it was an honour for the University to be funded for the creation of the Centre, and promised to use internal resources (labour) to ensure quality results. He encouraged his members to work as a team since the project had urgent timelines, and requested the finance and procurement units to work swiftly so that his team did not lack the requirements for the repairs. He also requested the Institute to share the studio specifications with his team to ensure the works met the standards required by the donors.
The Head of Development promised to work with the team to ensure quality and to improve on areas with shortcomings, to prove that the University was capable of offering the best services.
The DVC (A, P & S), in his remarks, pointed out that the donors had high expectations of the University. He expressed confidence that the team put together for the repair works was proactive and that he believed in their ability to deliver. He requested that a list of requirements and specifications be prepared by Estates & Maintenance and shared with the Procurement Unit, and assured the team that he was available to everyone to ensure the process was expedited. He asked members to adhere to the timelines, to share any challenges early, and expressed his hope that the Plenary and the Centre would be used to train lecturers from other universities as a source of income for the University.
Conclusion
The Director informed those in attendance that our partners in Switzerland would visit in April to officially inaugurate the Centre and offer training to our technicians on how to use the various equipment that would have been installed. The visiting team would also make presentations at a one-day symposium to coincide with the C-CoDE inauguration.
It was finally agreed that the coordinating team for the repair works would hold weekly meetings on Fridays to ensure that the repairs were progressing, were of the required standard, and that the team adhered to the set timelines. The Procurement Unit was requested to ensure the quality of purchases and that procured items were based on market prices. The Ag. Chief Finance Officer assured the team of her full support and readiness to disburse funds in a timely manner, and promised to start working on clearing the equipment from Switzerland. She requested that the Director, IODeL ask the team at EPFL to provide a formal letter stating that the equipment is an educational donation to Moi University aimed at strengthening digital education, accompanied by a list of all equipment being supplied and its value.
