Have you ever heard of a local university that invites parents for an orientation exercise along with first year students? Well, The Technical University (TU-K) has done it this year.
The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Francis Aduol said TU-K had set the record as the first public university to invite parents and guardians for the orientation programme adding that the objective was to involve the parents and guardians in the student’s academic journey in order to curb some of the challenges they may face such as drug abuse, betting, poor academic performance, absenteeism and other undesirable habits.
Prof Aduol said students were vulnerable such that leaving them without proper and close monitoring may make them end up in bad company. He further stated that students joining university as freshers were still young and assuming that they were grown up was wrong hence the reason the university thought of inviting parents to accompany them during their first day and throughout their orientation programme is possible.
“Assuming that these students are mature enough to take care of themselves is not bad, but remember they are still young and they can be lured easily into doing things you as parents would not like to see or hear. It’s the duty of everyone to provide financial, moral and emotional supports to them,’’ said Prof Aduol.
The event turned out to be a discussion platform between the parents and the university’s top managers including the DVC-Academic Affairs, Executive Deans, Academic Registrar, Dean of Students, among others.
The parents expressed their gratitude to VC for involving them during the orientation to enable them appreciate what their role and support in the monitoring of the academic and social life of their children entailed.
Prof. Aduol warned students against indulging in bad habits such as drug abuse, joining bad company, missing lessons, among others. “Nairobi is a big but complicated city. Be wary of conmen. Don’t allow them to ruin your life,” cautioned the VC.
The VC noted that the rate of students committing suicide was rampant in the country and traumatising to the society. He advised them to seek counselling services whenever they may face challenges.
The DVC in charge of Academics, Research and Student Affairs, Prof. Paul Shiundu asked the parents to work together with the University in order address students’ challenges including academic progress.
“If your son came here for a four-year degree programme, the expectation as a parent is that he will graduate. However, this is not always the case as some end up engaging in drugs and dropping out of university but deceive parents who continue paying fees and sending upkeep money.”
He said some students were committing money meant for fees to betting and when they lost, they committed suicide. He asked the parents to regularly visit the relevant faculty deans to know the progress of their children.
TU-K has this year admitted 1,925 students as placed by KUCCPS in various programmes. This year’s First Year Students at TU-K are the first that will pursue their studies in a Term System as opposed to the Semester System practiced by other local Universities. The University’s academic will henceforth be starting 1st July to coincide with the Government’s Fiscal Year.
