Staff development programs and academic staff performance of universities in Uganda: A case of Kyambogo University, Uganda
Date
2015-12-30
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kyambogo University(unpublished)
Abstract
The study sought to investigate the staff development programs undertaken by
Kyambogo university lectures and dons with intent to develop strategies that could help
enhance their performance. The objectives of the study were therefore to (I) establish the
staff development programs undertaken by Kyambogo University lecturers, (2)
investigate the attitude of these dons towards the programs; (3) examine the effect of the
programs on the lecturers' performance when moderated by these staffs' attitude towards
the programs; and (4) identify the staff development strategies that could be adopted to
enhance the dons' performance. The research was conducted using a case study design
involving both qualitative and quantitative approaches to data collection and analysi s.
Data were collected using interviews held with four purposively selected l ~tcult y deans
and one semi-structured questionnaire administered to 194 randomly selected lecturers.
Data were analyzed qualitatively using narrative and thematic techniques and
quantitatively using descriptive, factor and multivariate regression methods of analys is.
Findings indicate that the staff development programs that were undertaken by
Kyambogo University lecturers included not only on-the-job programs such as induction;
peer-assisted learning; assistant lecturers standing in for senior lecturers; staff appraisals ;
mentoring and coaching through supervisory instructions, and encouraging lecturer
participation in staff committees. They also included off-the-job program s such as
postgraduate courses, seminars and workshops. These programs were however,
implemented at less than satisfactory levels, leading lecturers to acquire less than optimal
knowledge and skills. Lecturers had a moderately positive attitude towards most of the
undertaken staff development programs. They were particularly positive about the
content and imparting methods of the undertaken postgraduate courses and organised
seminars, workshops and conferences, but their attitude towards the programs ' timing
and facilitation , and how promotions and transfers were conducted \Vas negative. The
lecturers were also reluctant to pursue a PhD program clue to lack ol· sponsorship. The
undertaken staff development programs had a positive and significant but not strong
effect on the dons' performance. It was therefore concluded that there was need to
strengthen the effect of the programs. Accordingly, recommendations were made to the
administrators of Kyambogo University, particularly faculty deans, to strengthen this
effect by improving lecturer-attitude towards staff development programs through
ensuring that the programs' content is relevant, seminars and workshops are more
regularly organised; encouraging lecturers to pursue PhD training; and mobilising funds
needed to finance these programs.
Description
xiv,139p
Keywords
Staff development programs., Academic staff performance., Universities.
Citation
Kakuru, Paul (2015) Staff development programs and academic staff performance of universities in Uganda: A case of Kyambogo University, Uganda