Browsing by Author "Ofoyuru Denis Thaddeus"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Assessing University‑Society Engagements: Towards a Methodological Framework
    (Innovative Higher Education, 2023) Bekele Teklu Abate; Ofoyuru Denis Thaddeus; Woldegiorgis Emnet Tadesse
    Abstract Higher education institutions pursue three distinct yet interrelated missions of education, knowledge production, and community engagement. Until the last decades of the twentieth century, the third mission, also known as community engagement, has received little attention. Although the third mission generally aims to contribute to the socio-cultural and economic transformations of society, its distinct characteristics are still under-theorized. None of the existing methodological and conceptual frameworks provides a holistic analysis of significant engagement indicators that transcend specific application contexts. Collecting data on university engagement with society and making meaningful interpretations is thus a challenge to researchers and practitioners. To contribute to filling this gap, this modified Delphi study proposes a comprehensive methodological framework of university-society engagements in Africa. The core thesis is that engagement is ubiquitous- university missions and support systems embody it. The framework thus constitutes eight engagement domains aligned with university core functions (teaching, knowledge production, and societal service) and support systems (governance, digitalization, internationalization, partnerships, and sustainability), with 52 items, rating scales, and descriptors. The framework contributes to conceptual and methodological clarity, informs data collection, and interpretations of the different modalities of university engagements. The alignment of engagement domains to university activities and the simplified articulations of the indicators ensure straightforward interpretations and applications of the framework by practitioners and researchers. It is also significant as it comes at a time when universities are expected to contribute more directly and significantly to the realizations of the UN 2030 SDGs and the African Union
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    Doctoral education and the knowledge triangle: dynamics of linkage to other sectors in doctoral programs in Uganda
    (Gulu University, 2025) Etomaru Irene; Ofoyuru Denis Thaddeus
    Purpose – This study aims to explore the dynamics of linking doctoral programs to other sectors constituting future workplaces and fields of public engagement for doctoral graduates in Uganda. This is in light of the current global pressures for universities to contribute more directly to society, and changes in student demographics and career aspirations. In a number of jurisdictions, intentional linkage to other sectors is being pursued to better prepare doctoral graduates for work beyond academia. However, not much is known about the dynamics involved. Guided by the knowledge triangle framework, this paper posits that creating sufficient links between education, research and innovation through linkage to other sectors can offer a window of opportunities for attaining relevant doctoral outcomes for both students and wider society. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative multiple case study design was used to explore mechanisms of linking doctoral programs to other sectors in Uganda. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 45 participants selected across all institutions providing doctoral education in Uganda. Thematic analysis was used to make sense of the data. Findings – The study found no formal mechanisms for linking doctoral programs to other sectors. Lack of institutionalization, narrow focus in program design, cultural mismatch and resource limitations were major systemic constraints to effective linkage to other sectors in doctoral education. Institutionalization of integrated learning in collaborative university-other sector settings in doctoral education in Uganda is recommended. Research limitations/implications – The research data is exclusively from higher education institutions, the possibility of not comprehensively reflecting the broader perspectives from other sectors cannot be overlooked.Amore comprehensive study of the dynamics of innovating doctoral education in Uganda through coherent collaboration between higher education institutions and other sectors to ensure the success of linking education, research and innovation is recommended. Practical implications – Promoting the knowledge triangle approach in doctoral education by creation of synergies between education, research and innovation through linkages to the other sectors would enhance the attainment of relevant doctoral outcomes for students and the wider society
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    Emerging University-Society Engagements in Africa: An Analysis of Strategic Plans
    (Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education, 2021) Bekele Teklu Abate; Ofoyuru Denis Thaddeus
    Due mainly to globalization, knowledge economies, liberalization, and regulation and accountability regimes, higher education institutions are under increasing pressure to demonstrate their relevance and significance to society. European and North American universities have rearticulated their profiles and adopted entrepreneurial and engaged mandates. The extent to which and how African universities are strategically repositioning themselves in that respect remains obscure. Using relevant theoretical frameworks, this study explores emerging modalities of university-society engagements and linkages in Africa through a critical analysis of the current strategic plans of 30 universities from 14 countries. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the strategic plans reveal that universities have explicitly identified strategies for the production and transfer of knowledge; for creating networks and partnerships; and for engaging varied stakeholders in decision making at various levels. Implications for further research are identified
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    Institutional Policy for Community Transformation Activities by Disciplinary Fields in Ugandan Universities: Case Study of Gulu University
    (International Journal of Education and Research, 2018-06-06) Ofoyuru Denis Thaddeus; Bisaso Ronald; Muwagga Anthony Mugagga
    Community transformation rhetoric by some universities is so unequivocal that one would expect such universities to have institutional policies informing disciplinary activities for the same. Studies focusing this area are glaringly sparse. We investigated how policies inform community transformation activities by disciplinary fields in Gulu University, a public university in Uganda. The study answered the question: how do policies inform community transformation activities by disciplinary fields in Gulu University? A qualitative case study using in-depth interviews and documents check was conducted. Fifteen members of academic and management staff constituted the sample. Findings reveal an institutional policy-disciplinary activity disjuncture. It is recommended that institutional policy should be developed to mainstream community transformation into activities by disciplinary fields in such a university that seeks to transform community to give the university a true community oriented stature.
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    Land Suitability Evaluation for Tea and Food Crops in Kabarole District, Western Uganda
    (GJAS, 2013-06-03) Nuwategeka Expedito; Ayine Robert; Ofoyuru Denis Thaddeus
    The study was conducted in Busoro Sub County in Kabarole District to assess the physical and economic suitability of the land for Tea, Maize and Bananas. Physical suitability was evaluated using a soil map of the study area. Soil types with their parameters of Cation Exchange Capacity, base saturation, pH, organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous were studied. The climate of the area was studied using annual monthly rainfall and temperature values for the area for more than thirty years. Production costs, market prices and annual yields per hectare for tea, maize and bananas were computed. Using Net Present Value approach, the economic suitability of each crop was computed. The economic and physical parameters were entered into a model built in Automated Land Evaluation System (ALES) software using the decision trees. Overall suitability evaluation results were produced for each of the respective crops. The results of the study indicated that different soil types (management units) had varying suitability among the three crops. Tea registered higher overall economic suitability followed by Bananas and then Maize. However, Bananas presented a higher overall physical suitability on all soil types followed by Tea and Maize. The study recommends conducting a mini agro-ecological zonation in planning and decision for maximum utilization of the land resources for a potential LUT is an important tool in ensuring improved agricultural livelihoods and household income
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    STRATEGIES OF MANAGING STUDENT DISCIPLINE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN GULU DISTRICT
    (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT RESEARCH, 2011-09-07) Ofoyuru Denis Thaddeus; Too-Okema Lawrence
    The issue of student discipline is a pervasive and constant challenge. Secondary schools in Gulu District have also suffered alarming deterioration in student discipline in the past decade. This study aimed at establishing relationship between school ownership and strategies of managing student discipline in Gulu District with specific objectives of identifying strategies used in managing student discipline. Cross-sectional parallel sample survey design was used in the study with both qualitative and quantitative orientation. Target population consisted of headteachers, teachers and students with 377 respondents sampled. Questionnaire survey and key informants interview were used as techniques; interview guide and questionnaires as research instruments for data collection respectively. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Frequencies and percentages were used. The results showed that strategies of managing student discipline in secondary schools in Gulu district included rewards, punishment, communication, and counselling. The researchers concluded that strategies of managing student discipline in secondary schools in Gulu District include rewards, punishment, communication and counselling and both faith-based and non faith-based schools in Gulu district use similar strategies of managing student discipline. Recommendations were made that policies on discipline management be streamlined, implementers should balance all the strategies and researchers should delve further into each strategy of managing student discipline.