Great Lakes University of Kisumu

Great Lakes University of Kisumu
Motto Encouraging student involvement in order to ensures the necessary academic rigor while permitting flexibility and responsiveness required in producing graduates that are problem solvers and job creators.
Established 1998
Type University
Vice-Chancellor Pro. Dan Kaseje
Undergraduates Offered
Postgraduates Offered
Offered
Location Kisumu, Kenya
Campus Main Campus (Kibos) and Millimani Campus Kisumu Town. Nairobi Campus.
Colors Green, Blue and Yellow
Nickname GLUK
Website www.gluk.ac.ke

Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK) is a Kenyan university. The idea of establishing the Great Lakes University of Kisumu originated in the Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development (TICH) in Africa, which spearheaded the application for authority to operate as a university. The establishment of TICH was inspired by a number of sources expressing the need for a formal course in Community Based Health Care leading to a recognized academic qualification. Such a course would be offered by an academic institution that could effectively weave together theoretical, evidence based and practical hands-on analytical skills training into development, conducted in learning sites located in the community, civil society, industry and public institutions. It was thought that an Institute with the freedom to innovate but linked to an established University would be the best base for such a training program.

The Institute was established in 1998 to respond to these challenges and to make a contribution towards the paradigm shift needed for the achievement of sustainable development at various levels particularly in Africa. In this respect, GLUK subscribes to the philosophy of self-propagated development, which is made sustainable through communities' own participation.

Departments

Arts and Science

The Faculty of Arts and Science currently has these departments:- Department of Agribusiness, Department of Pastoral Theology, Department of Community Nutrition,and Department of Information Technology

Department of Agribusiness

The department focuses on improving agribusiness innovations based on existing technologies. Agriculture is the major source of livelihood to 80% of the Kenyan population. It contributes 25% of GDP and 70% of Kenyan's employment. Agricultural growth is a catalyst to expansion in other sectors. Agribusiness covers all business activities from farm to consumers. It encompasses the supply of agricultural inputs, the production and transformation of agricultural products, and the distribution of goods to final consumers.

Department of Pastoral Theology

1st Peter 4:10-12

Background

Great Lakes University of Kisumu (Gluk) is an Interdenominational Evangelical Christian Institution. It is a product of Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development and is highly known for its unique methods of program delivery, action research and community services in community Health Development as well as a strong theologically and biblically based study. The department of Theology, in particular, draws students mainly from Christian evangelical churches in Africa and beyond.

Courses offered

• Certificate in Theology (2 Semesters-Minimum units 12 )

KCSE with a mean grade of C- or its equivalent

• Diploma in Theology (4 Semesters-Minimum units 24 )

KCSE with a mean grade of C or its equivalent

• Bachelor of Theology (8 Semesters-Minimum Units 48)

KCSE with a mean grade of C+ or Diploma in Theology with distinction or credit from a recognized theological college.

• Bachelor of Theology - Christian Counseling Option • Bachelor of Theology - Chaplaincy Studies Option • Bachelor of Arts – Christian leadership option • Masters in Theology (6 Semesters) (Offered in collaboration with the Great Lakes University of Goma-DRC). A bachelor degree from a recognized University.

The areas of emphasis and specifications include:

• Practical Ministry - Systematic Theology • Church History - Biblical Studies (OT emphasis or NT emphasis) • Masters of Arts in Christian Ministry - with the following options • Practical Ministry - Leadership • Christian Counseling

Admission Procedures and information

• Application forms can be picked from our Kisumu (Milimani &Kibos) and Nairobi Campus. • Gluk runs on a tri-semester academic calendar with three admissions namely, Jan., May and September. • Gluk runs both full time and part time classes and holiday classes are conducted during the months of April, August and December – on a ministry-based learning program.

For More Information Contact: HoD – Theology; Gluk Main Campus, P.O Box, phone no. O57-2023972/2024871

Staff Areas of specialization

Prof. Dan Kaseje PhD (Liverpool U.S.A) Public Health & Theological studies Dr. Jack U. Kamiruka PhD (Stellenbosch, South Africa) Systematic Theology Pst. Jack Otieno Obongo M.A.(Egerton) Guidance and Counseling Ms. Berther Kute Bed.,MEd (Maseno) Educational Leadership Rev. Boniface Obondi MTS (VTS U.S.A) Theological Studies & Hebrew

Adjunct

Prof. Watson Omulokoli PhD (Leeds U.K) Church History Dr. Aloo Mojola PhD (Nairobi) Philosophy & O.T Hebrew Mr. James Dejong M.A ( Columbia) Missiology Pst. Felix Musa ( Biola U.S.A) New Testament -Greek

Interns

Pst. Peter Otieno Raburu (MTh Candidate) Pst . Philip Otieno Miruka (MTh Candidate)

Part-time (school based) courses which will be offered in August 2011 Vocation

a) Certificate in Theology b) Diploma in Theology c) Bachelor of Theology) d) Bachelor of Theology - Christian Counseling Option e) Bachelor of Theology - Chaplaincy Studies Option f) Bachelor of Arts – Christian leadership option

e) Masters in Theology (6 Semesters) (Offered in collaboration with the Great Lakes University of Goma-DRC). A bachelor degree from a recognized University The areas of emphasis and specifications include: • Practical Ministry - Systematic Theology • Church History - Biblical Studies (OT emphasis or NT emphasis)

g) Masters of Arts in Christian Ministry - with the following options • Practical Ministry - Leadership • Christian Counseling

Department of Community Nutrition

The department of Nutrition is concerned with planning appropriate foods and supplements of the maintenance of normal individual and community health (infancy, childhood, adulthood and old age), and during different types of illness. It also deals with the assessment of nutritional status of individuals and communities. Graduates of community nutrition program are employed in hospitals, hotels, universities, schools and other catering facilities. They are also self-employed as consultants Department of Information Technology The department addresses the need for Africa to harness IT for increased productivity and effectiveness in all sectors of the economy. Students are expected to use the knowledge gained to analyze, design, and implement solutions to a wide range of real-world problems.

Tropical Institute Of Community Health And Development(TICH)

The Institute is unique in its focus in the health and development of disadvantaged communities. All the academic and professional programs offered respond to the current situation in Africa demanding capacity building in order to address health and development issues in the African context. OFFICIAL TICH WEBSITE Programs Masters:

Masters in Community Health and Development : Full time: 5 semesters Masters in Community Health and Development: Part time (Saturday-Sunday) : 8 semesters Masters in Community Health and Development : Distance Learning: 7 semesters

Higher Diploma:

Higher Diploma in Community Health Development : Full time: 2 Semesters Higher Diploma in Community Health and Development: Part time (Saturday-Sunday): 4 Semesters Higher Diploma in Community Health and Development : Distance Learning: 3 Semesters Bachelors:

Bachelors in Community Health and Development: Full time (Direct Entry): 8 Semesters Bachelors in Community Health and Development: Full time (Upgraders): 5 Semesters Bachelors in Community Health and Development: Distance Learning (Upgraders): 6 Semesters Bachelors in Community Health and Development: Part time (Upgraders) (Saturday-Sunday) : 6 Semesters Bachelor of Science in Community Nutrition: Full time (Direct Entry): 8 Semesters Bachelor of Science in Community Nutrition: Part time (Upgraders) (Saturday-Sunday) : 6 Semesters Bachelor of Science in Community Nutrition: Distance Learning (Upgraders): 5 Semesters Diplomas:

Diploma in Community Health and Development: Full Time (Direct Entry): 6 Semesters Diploma in Community Health and Development: Part time (Post Basic) (Saturday-Sunday) : 3 Semesters Diploma in Community Health and Development: Evening classes - 1730-2030Hrs- (Post Basic): 3 semesters Diploma in Community Nutrition: Full time (Direct Entry): 4 semesters Certificates:

Certificate in Community Nutrition: Full time (Direct Entry): 2 Semester Certificate in Community Health: Health Information Systems and Surveillance : 12 units Certificate in Community Health: Agribusiness option: 12 Units Short courses

The short courses seek to focus on the peculiar and common problems that graduates are likely to confront in their practice and are based on contemporary issues such as: • International Health • Health care in complex, chronic emergency situations • Health economics, financing and poverty reduction • Health, ethics and human rights • Reproductive and child health • Health policy analysis and development. • Communication and Technology • Advanced Research Methods


Research capabilities

TICH has engage in research within and outside the region. In improving the performance of district health systems in Kenya, the Institute was involved in spearheading the development of the community strategy for Kenya which was tested in six pilot districts in Nyanza Province, Kenya before it was scaled up in the whole country in Kenya as a policy.

The research activities of the Institute aim at developing new and creative approaches for responding to systemic and conceptual issues in health and development. To ensure relevance in its research activities the Institute focuses on participatory action research and develops, tests and replicates models, approaches and innovations at various levels of health and development systems.

Through its partnership program and using its Essential Elements of Dignified Livelihood (EEDL) model, the Institute undertakes and implements, in collaboration with communities and institutions various community and institution-based health and development programs that contribute to poverty alleviation and combating ill health.

Current research projects

The university is currently engaged in various research projects.

1. Scale up of Community Strategy for accelerated maternal and neonatal and child health in Siaya and Homabay counties The project aims to scale up and accelerate maternal and neonatal and child health indicators in Homabay and Siaya counties in Kenya. It is hoped that this will significantly reduce the current burden of disease, and contribute to the achievement of MDGs. This is a UNICEF supported project.


2. Strengthening The Health System Through Collaborative Research The project aims to strengthen uptake and functionality of Community Health Strategy by building capacities of the community to establish and maintain Community Units for health and development. It endeavors to produce evidence on; uptake of the Community Health Services elements; cost-effectiveness of CHS; and task shifting to level one. It is being implemented in 3 districts (Kisumu, Butere and Garissa). This is a Consortium National Health Research (CNHR).

3. Linking Community Based Health Information System And Institutional Health System For Effective Decision Making The project aims at strengthening and testing effectiveness of CBIS-HIS linkage and the effect to service uptake. It is being implemented in 3 districts (Kisumu, Butere and Garissa). This is an IDRC funded project

4. Budget monitoring and advocacy for improved efficiency in health resource utilization

A project aiming at training community health committee members on health budget monitoring and advocacy for improved efficiency in health resource utilization. It is currently running in 5 districts in Nyanza and Western Provinces. This is a WEMOS funded project.

5. Liberating vulnerable communities from abject poverty through training for livelihood and cash transfer support. This is a project aiming at liberating vulnerable communities from abject poverty through training for livelihood and cash transfer support. It targets Peri-urban area of Nyalenda. This is a concern funded project.

6. Revitalizing the Stall in fertility decline. This is a project to support sensitization of the community on family planning. The project aim to produce a model for community based family planning system. It covers 4 district drawn across Western and Nyanza Provinces. This is an APHRC funded project

7. scaling up Community Health Services The project aims at scaling up Community Health Services in 25 districts across the country. This is a SIMAVI funded project

8. Promoting the uptake of PMTCT services among pregnant mothers The project aims at promoting the uptake of PMTCT services among pregnant mothers in the Greater Nyamira. This is a CDC funded project

9. Building the capacity of CBOs in partnering communities through trainings The Project aims at building the capacity of CBOs in partnering communities through trainings on governance, management and resource mobilization for health and development activities. The project’s main objective is to build the capacity of Community Units to become sustainable, so far 15 Community Units drawn from 7 districts in Nyanza and Western are beneficiaries. This is a SIMAVI funded project

10. Improving the nutrition status for the under fives in the Peri-urban slum The project aims at improving the nutrition status for the under fives in the Peri-urban slum of Nyalenda. This is a concern funded project.

Collaboration and networking

The training and education at the Institute is enriched by collaborative programs with various universities. Current external collaborations are with Cheng’ Kung University of Taiwan, Stellenbosch University of South Africa, University of Amsterdam, University of Ottawa, L’Université Libre Des Pays Grands Lacs (ULPGL) in Goma (DRC), the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Emory University.

The idea has attracted some of the best and most renowned brains in the country to nurture the young University to excellence in the fields of health, development and related disciplines. Their involvement ensures the necessary academic rigor while permitting flexibility and responsiveness required in producing graduates that are problem solvers and job creators.[1][2][3]

References

  1. ↑ "H.E. PRESIDENT KIBAKI ASSURES GOVERNMENT WILL COMMIT MORE RESOURCES TO THE EDUCATION SECTOR.". States News Service – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . November 16, 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  2. ↑ "Great Lakes University to be fully accredited". www.businessdailyafrica.com. November 15, 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "Great Lakes University of Kisumu". www.4icu.org. Retrieved 17 February 2013.

External links