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Universities are set to implement a phased reopening, even as virtual learning continues to take center stage. 

The University of Nairobi Acting Academic Registrar Humphrey Webuye said among those expected to resume as from yesterday are First Year students undertaking science-based courses with practicals.

They include Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Architecture and Engineering, Biological and Physical Sciences, Education and External Studies – Kenya Science Campus, Health Sciences. 

Other students who were to resume are postgraduate undertaking practical research projects as well as learners-with special needs and disability.

“The University of Nairobi wishes to inform groups of students the commencement of face-to-face learning for 2020/21/22 Academic Year,” read a notice.

“All students are required to submit a hard copy of a signed medical form. All students and staff shall be required to have masks at all times and strictly adhere to the Ministry of Health Covid-19 prevention guidelines and protocols at all times,” the notice added.

Institution directed that all fees and other charges be paid before commencement of the academic year as per the respective fees structure.

“No student shall be allowed into lectures, examinations rooms or participate any activities where fees for the year is not fully paid,” directed the university.

Government-sponsored First Year students are expected to pay Sh28,500 while continuing will pay Sh26,000.

 At Mt Kenya University, Academic Registrar Dr Ronald Maathai said face-to-face special or supplementary examinations will be offered from November 23 for diploma and certificate students, while degree and postgraduate will sit theirs on November 30.

Online examinations 

“As you are aware, the university administered online examinations for January/April and May/August semester/trimester.  However, many students were not able to sit the examinations.

The examinations timetable will be available on November 9 in the student portal. Please apply for the examinations in your portal,” said Dr Mathaai in a notice.

At Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Robert Kinyua said blended learning for First Year students, September 2019 and September 2020 intake as well as post-graduate students was to commence yesterday. 

Dr Kinyua advised students under the September 2020 intake to report with their original certificates and any other documents indicated in their admission letters for verification by respective schools.

“During a special meeting of Senate held on November 2, it was resolved that the university reopens blended learning (face-to-face and online learning) for First Year students (September 2019 and September 2020) and all postgraduate students,” said Dr Kinyua in a notice.

At Egerton University, another group of students started to resume at the Njoro campus over the weekend and are first expected to undergo Covid-19 awareness programme between November 9 and 13.

Learning activities will then start on November 16. Students in this group include those undertaking Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees 2018 cohort, Clinical Medicine Second Year, second semester, 2018 cohort.