Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

History
There is an increasing need among students and staff to have programmes designed to address gender issues which hinder academic excellence and staff performance within the university. Some of the issues include gender imbalance, sexual harassment, gender based violence, unwanted pregnancies, drug abuse, HIV/AIDS among others.

Challenges have been witnessed especially on the retention of female students, faculty growth, gender balance, staff and student life divesity as well as community service. The university seeks to provided an environment for its community to excel in all fields of human endeavor towards becoming an institution of global excellence in training, research and innovation for development. Gender issues are key elements that need immediate attention to realize the university’s vision and also bring equality and equity among staff, students and the entire community.

It is now a government policy to implement the gender policy in education in all government and semi government institutions to realize the MDGs and the vision 2030. The ministry of education and that of gender and youth affairs have inline with this put in place programmes that comply with the Beijing platform of action, MDGs and vision 2030.

For the university to be compliant with requirements of the goverment, a center for gender and mentoring has been established at the university to roll out gender programmes and articulate all gender issues.

Mentoring will play an important role in improving performance of both students and staff.

Mission

To promote gender equality and equity through training, research, advocacy and mentoring by providing expert service on gender issues to students, staff and the community.
Vision

To become a center of excellence in gender mentoring issues for the attainment of gender equality and equity.
General objectives

To promote gender equality and equity and enhance performance by providing expert advice and services on gender issues to students and staff of JKUAT and the community.
Specific objectives

To conduct short training courses which will enhance the understanding of gender issues.
To engage outreach programmes and advocacy in gender related issues through public lectures, short courses, seminars, workshops and mass media.
To assist both men and women to recognize and understand their complementary roles in society through mass media, public lectures, seminars and workshops.
To establish a resource center for information on gender issues.
To provide consultancy and counseling on gender and related development issues.
To offer mentoring programmes as a basic tool in achieving maximum performance.
To provide short academic programmes in gender and development studies.
To develop knowledge and strategies for the advancement of gender equity, skills and capacity in gender analysis.
To facilitate links between the university and like minded institutions and persons.
To conduct research in gender issues within the university and advise the university accordingly for better service delivery.
To facilitate gender mainstreaming in all sectors of the university.

Mentoring Programme
Mentoring is one key element that has the potential to add impetus to the rise of the university. These programmes have been designed to be part and parcel of the gender activities.1. Overall life of protégés

Research shows that providing for youth with consistent adult support through well – supervised, frequent meeting, long-term mentoring relationship improves grades and family relationship and helps prevent iniation into drug and alcohol use. Academic grades, career development, family and para-family relationships are a critical area with students beginning to experience a new sense of freedom away from “hawk-eyed” parents and close to diverse people in the university community.

2. Faculty growth and professional progression

Mentoring is a useful tool for faculty growth where senior and experienced academic staff are engaged in mentoring the junior and incoming faculty members. This gives impetus to academic and professional progression and thus continuity in the university’s stamina in study, research and innovation, and community service.

3. Complimentary role to counseling and life support

University and school’s dropout rates are a function of failed morale, social and psychological problems and unexpected outcomes in academic performance in studies among others. While some of the issues can be solved through counseling and career redirection, mentoring plays a crucial role and averts their opportunity to strike.

4. Streamlined and committed career paths

Mentoring offers support and guidance, helps the protégés in developing career plans, balancing between achieving career commitments against unplanned schedules and activities, gaining confidence in the working environment, obtaining valubles feedback as well as receiving the much needed criticism in the career path.