DVC Finance, Planning and Development Prof. Josiah Aduda, FHS Dean Prof. Daniel Ojuka and faculty members of the Department of Dental Sciences at the Dental School.
The familiarization tour of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) Department of Dental Sciences by the DVC Finance, Planning and Development Prof. Josiah Aduda, highlighted several critical areas needing attention in the department. One major area of concern was around tapping into the financial feasibility of the dental hospital.
Round-table discussions held after the immersive tour revolved around improving clinic operations at the dental hospital to ensure they run efficiently even without student presence, potentially exploring 24/7 accessibility for the dental hospital to generate more revenue for the university.
The need for a clear development blueprint for the dental school in the future, was emphasized to strategically attract and utilize partnerships and funding from various sources like government grants and international donors.
“How can we ensure that the dental hospital is a 24/7 hospital so as to ensure it gives the university more. I suggest that we sit with our colleagues from Lower Kabete and finance department so as to bring out the business angle to ensure that dental hospital is self-sustaining and generates money for the university,” FHS Dean Prof. Daniel Ojuka stated in the subsequent meeting following the tour.
The DVC reaffirmed the university’s stand in advancing its services and infrastructure for scholarly excellence and research.
“You can count on my support at all time,” Prof. Aduda reiterated in his address.
Furthermore, the meeting touched upon issues related to staff recruitment and promotion criteria. There was an urgent call to re-evaluate requirements, particularly regarding the necessity of a PhD for certain academic positions and promotions, suggesting a more flexible approach that recognizes the extensive training dental professionals undergo. The importance of boosting staff morale through timely recognition and addressing infrastructural challenges was also a recurring theme.
Discussions also revolved around financial burden placed on students, who are reportedly paying for their own supplies and patient care, especially at the master's level. This, coupled with a perceived lack of understanding between central administration and the faculty, creates a challenging environment. A call for increased support from the central administration to ease this burden and combat this challenge was made.
“The Faculty of Health Sciences is a center for training in Africa, there is a number of people from all Africa in our different departments, we have to look at how do we then support the faculty in its operations,” Prof. Ojuka stated.
The familiarization tour reaffirmed the university’s stand in advancement of scholarly excellence.
- Log in to post comments
