UNSA2022_Leadership_Development_Training
The Office of the Dean of Students and Career Services on Friday and Saturday May 27 and 28, 2022 held a Leadership Development Program for the University of Nairobi Students Association (UNSA) Council and Congress members. The workshop was held at the Travellers Beach Hotel in Mombasa.
The UoN Top Management, Deans & Directors of Faculties and Campuses, Central Administration Heads, Staff from the Dean of Students Office and a of total of 81 student leaders from the UNSA Council and Congress attended this leadership training. The objectives of the training were to understand student leadership and development needs, enable student leaders to develop leadership and soft skills, understand how to handle and manage conflict and group dynamics and to embrace diversity, inclusivity, rule of law in students leadership. This getaway to the sandy beaches of Mombasa was also a great opportunity for bonding between the University Top Management/Administration and student leadership.
In his keynote speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama stated “I have seen progressive transformation and change in the UoN Student Leadership since 2020”. He encouraged student leaders to engage in extra-curricular activities to ensure that they develop holistically. He further stated that UoN is committed to continuous innovation in carrying out its business and there is Management buy-in to support and address student issues.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Julius Ogeng’o in his opening remarks emphasized that “the University Administration and Students Leadership is a family”. This was therefore an opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other. Sharing a quote by Martin Luther King Jr, the DVC stated that, “a genuine leader is not a searcher for consent but a molder of consensus”.
Protocol guidelines that student leaders require when interacting with authorities higher than them were part of the topics discussed during this leadership development workshop. The Chief Operations Officer, Mr. Brian Ouma took the student leaders through the essentials of protocol. He indicated that protocol creates a welcoming atmosphere of friendship and ensures professional conduct of proceedings.
In her presentation, the Associate Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Extension Prof. Margaret Hutchinson highlighted the various leadership roles, kills and styles in leadership. She further indicated that ‘without any leader, a society or organization will not be different from a zoo’. The Student leaders were tasked to offer servant leadership to their fellow students.
Melvin Thogo, the 2022 UNSA Chairperson highlighted the Leadership Programs students require to sharpen their leadership skills. The highlighted programs include Exchange and Benchmarking programs, a Facility for Congress Parliament/House and Soft Skills Program for effective Student Leadership among others.
Other topics covered during this training include Leadership Roles, Skills and Styles, Leadership and Management of Change, Soft Skills, Coaching and Mentorship for Effective Student Leadership, Personal Branding, Diversity, Inclusivity, Rule of Law in Student Leadership, Emerging Health Issues and Personal Wellness on Campus, Career Dynamics in the 21st Century and Creating Safe and Inclusive Campus spaces for students.
The 2022 UNSA Leadership training was a great success. It is hoped that the skills imparted in the student leaders will continue refining their leadership skills to enable them offer effective service to the entire student’s body and eventually become great leaders in society.
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