Jun 5, 2024, Posted by: Ra'eesa Moosa
Open University of Kenya Announces Multiple Job Vacancies in Key Departments
The Open University of Kenya (OUK) recently unveiled an exciting opportunity for professionals in multiple disciplines, with the announcement of 92 job openings spread across several key departments. This initiative aims to inject fresh talent into both academic and administrative spheres, significantly enhancing the institution's overall capacity and operational strength.
Central to their recruitment drive are a series of academic positions that span across the School of Science and Technology, School of Education, School of Business and Economics, and School of Agriculture. Aspiring candidates can apply for roles such as professors, associate professors, senior lecturers, lecturers, and tutorial fellows. The comprehensive range of subjects includes Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Nursing, Educational Research and Evaluation, Curriculum Instruction and Philosophy, Technology Education, Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management, Human Resources, Economics, Project Management, Agricultural Economics, Sustainable Food Production, and Agriculture and Biotechnology.
Diverse Academic Opportunities
For those in the academic field, the Open University of Kenya’s vast array of positions presents an incredible opportunity to further careers while contributing to the educational journey of the nation's students. Professors and associate professors will find themselves at the helm of educational research, guiding the next generation of scholars and professionals. Senior lecturers and lecturers will also have a chance to bring in fresh teaching methodologies and be instrumental in curriculum development. Tutorial fellows, often recent graduates themselves, will bridge the gap between students and seasoned professionals, offering up-to-date knowledge and skills.
The broad spectrum of subjects on offer reflects OUK’s commitment to inclusive and comprehensive education. For instance, positions in Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, and Nursing touch on both critical and emerging areas of study. Likewise, opportunities in Agricultural Economics, Sustainable Food Production, and Agriculture and Biotechnology align with Kenya’s developmental goals in self-sustainability and food security.
Vital Administrative Support Roles
The administrative staff opportunities are equally extensive, focusing on bolstering the university’s operations behind the scenes. Positions such as Senior Assistant Registrars, Assistant Student Counselors, secretaries, drivers, human resource officers, technicians, and maintenance officers aim to reinforce the university's administrative backbone. These roles require a blend of experience, dedication, and versatility to efficiently handle the daily tasks that keep the university operations running smoothly.
Advancements in ICT
In today’s digital age, it’s imperative for academic institutions to keep pace with technological advancements. The ICT Directorate at OUK is addressing this by seeking ICT officers proficient in Software Engineering, Full Stack Web Development, Database Administration, and System Administration. By recruiting skilled ICT professionals, the university seeks to enhance its digital infrastructure and offer a more robust and efficient educational environment.
An Inclusive Call to Action
Prof. Christopher Chepken, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, is leading the call for applications, underscoring the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Prof. Chepken extends a warm invitation to applicants of all genders, persons with disabilities, and those from marginalized areas, emphasizing the university's dedication to creating an inclusive workforce.
To apply, candidates are directed to visit the university's careers page. The process involves checking the job listings, attaching the required documents, submitting the application, and emailing the names, telephone numbers, and contact addresses of at least three referees. This clear and streamlined process ensures that all applicants have an equal opportunity to showcase their qualifications and experience.
Invigorating the Future of Education
The Open University of Kenya’s strategic recruitment drive stands as a testament to its ongoing commitment to academic excellence and operational efficiency. By opening these positions, the university not only looks to enhance its current capabilities but also ensures it is well-equipped to meet future educational challenges and opportunities.
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Comments
Morgan Skinner
The Open University of Kenya is setting a benchmark for inclusive hiring in higher education - not just by opening roles across disciplines, but by explicitly inviting persons with disabilities and marginalized communities. This isn’t just policy; it’s pedagogy in action. When you hire diversity, you don’t just fill positions - you enrich the entire learning ecosystem. I’ve seen universities in the U.S. pay lip service to inclusion, but OUK is actually building the structure to support it. Professors from rural Kenya, nurses who’ve worked in mobile clinics, IT specialists who built systems without reliable power - these aren’t just candidates, they’re living proof of resilience. The curriculum will never be the same after this.
And let’s not forget: ICT officers who can manage full-stack systems in low-bandwidth environments? That’s not a job description - that’s a revolution in digital education. Kudos to Prof. Chepken for leading this with clarity and conviction.
This model should be studied, replicated, and celebrated globally.
June 6, 2024 AT 14:10
Rachel Marr
This is exactly the kind of opportunity that changes lives. I know someone who finished their MSc in Agricultural Economics last year and has been applying everywhere - no luck. Then they saw this post and finally felt hopeful. It’s not just about jobs; it’s about dignity. People in Kenya’s rural areas deserve to teach, lead, and innovate without having to leave their communities. OUK is making that possible. And honestly? The fact they’re hiring tutorial fellows from recent grads? That’s genius. Fresh energy, real empathy, and they’re learning while they teach. Win-win.
June 7, 2024 AT 10:14
Kasey Lexenstar
92 jobs. Really? And you expect me to believe this isn’t just a budget line item dressed up as ‘progress’? They’re probably hiring half of them to replace contractors they fired last year to ‘cut costs’ and now need bodies to keep the lights on. And don’t get me started on ‘persons with disabilities’ - sure, they’ll list it in the press release, but how many of those positions actually have ramps, screen readers, or flexible hours? It’s performative inclusion. Classic.
Also, ‘Sustainable Food Production’? In a country where 40% of crops rot before they reach market? Cute. Let’s see them fix the supply chain before they hire ten professors to write papers about it.
June 7, 2024 AT 17:36
Trevor Mahoney
Let’s be real - this isn’t about education. This is a front. The Open University of Kenya is being used as a cover for a larger data collection operation. Think about it: they’re hiring ICT officers, full-stack developers, database admins - all while pushing for online applications with referee contacts. Who’s really accessing that data? Who’s training those new IT staff? And why are they suddenly so invested in ‘digital infrastructure’ right after that EU funding deal? You think they’re just teaching nursing and agriculture? No. They’re building a national surveillance backbone under the guise of ‘inclusive education.’ The referees’ names and addresses? That’s not for background checks - that’s for mapping social networks. And the ‘marginalized communities’ they’re recruiting? They’re not being uplifted - they’re being cataloged. This is digital colonialism with a syllabus.
And don’t tell me I’m paranoid. The same people who pushed ‘smart classrooms’ in Africa are now running facial recognition in India. The pattern is clear. They want your data. They want your potential. They want your future. And they’re using job ads to get it.
Check your digital footprint. Delete your application. Protect your network. This isn’t opportunity - it’s infiltration.
June 8, 2024 AT 11:56
Jitendra Patil
92 jobs? That’s nothing. In India, a single state university hires over 500 in one go - and they don’t even have a ‘Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Planning’ to make a press release about it. Kenya still thinks it’s special because it posted a job listing? We’ve had online universities since 2005, with AI-driven grading and satellite campuses in villages. OUK is playing catch-up with PowerPoint slides and ‘inclusive language.’
And ‘Sustainable Food Production’? Please. Kenya’s farmers still use hoes while Punjab has drone-sprayed organic farms. You want to compete? Start by fixing your internet before hiring a ‘System Administrator.’
Also, why is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor even named? In India, we don’t name bureaucrats in job ads - we just post the number and move on. This is performative bureaucracy. You’re not building an institution - you’re staging a TED Talk.
Author
Ra'eesa Moosa
I am a journalist with a keen interest in covering the intricate details of daily events across Africa. My work focuses on delivering accurate and insightful news reports. Each day, I strive to bring light to the stories that shape our continent's narrative. My passion for digging deeper into issues helps in crafting stories that not only inform but also provoke thought.