Soroti University Strategic Goals
Goal on Governance and Organizational Effectiveness
To set up Governance system, organization structure and design policies which ensure effective and efficient operation of the university Process
Strategies
- Identify all national and international laws, conventions and treaties applicable to universities and how they impact university education
- Identify lawyers to pick relevant parts to consider in writing strategic plan
- Task force to acquit itself with relevant national and international laws, conventions and treaties applicable to universities and how they impact university education.
- Carry out benchmarking for best practices.
- Engage stakeholders( NCHE ,MOES, Finance, Health, Professional, Association, Elders
(expectations /deliverables)
- Vision (Strategic planning is worthless, unless there is first a strategic vision’(John Naisbitt ),
- Mission
- Core values
- Philosophy of the university
- Statutes
- Operations Guidelines
- Structures and organs of the university
- Roles and responsibilities of key officials
Goal on Infrastructure and Educational Facilities
To set up world class infrastructure, facilities and equipment supporting the University’s strategic ambitions for learning, research and outreach engagement.
Strategies
- Design a Master plan
- Provide the highest quality technology-based services to support teaching, learning, research, creative activity, and the delivery of administrative services to the University community
- Carry out benchmarking for best practices
- Order of Priorities of infrastructure
- Science education
- ICT
- Administration offices
- Medicine and allied health
- Pure science and technology
- Management and business sciences
- Value addition
- Environmental sciences and irrigation
- Teaching and learning facilities
- Library services
- Lecture rooms
- ICT labs
- E-learning
- Welfare facilities
- Housing for key staff
Deliverables
- Master plan
- Architectural drawings with costs
- Constructed facilities which are well furnished
Goal on Human Resources
To attract, recruit, develop, support, and retain diverse, qualified and talented employees who are the key to Soroti university’s development, reputation and success.
Strategies
- Develop Terms of service which is attractive within the context of market forces
- Recruitment and deployment (Select the right person for the right job through a transparent recruitment and hiring process).
- Work out strategy for Staff development to include Re-skilling and up-skilling
Deliverables
- Terms of service/ Human resources manual
- Human capital acquired and working
- Staff establishment in place with Job description and competences
- Insurance and health policy
- Career and professional development strategies with clear and measurable goals
- Continuity of effective leadership at all levels
- Developing and recognising leaders who inspire through example and leadership skill
Goal on Academic Programmes and research areas
To Develop academic programmes and research agenda that meet the needs of stakeholders, global market expectations and to ensure that the graduates from these Programmes attain valuable skills, knowledge and attitudes
NB: The occupations projected to grow the fastest in Uganda and globally into the next century are professional and technical occupations.
Strategies
i) Carry out needs assessment and identify gaps and niche for Soroti University
ii) Define the profile of the graduates per each programme; Every student, undergraduate or graduate, regardless of major or program of study shall at graduation:
a) Achieve competence in communication, analysis, quantitative reasoning, and information literacy
b) Acquire deep knowledge of at least one discipline or program area
c) Gain problem solving skills that transcend disciplinary boundaries
d) Commit to ethical conduct
e) Become open to diverse people, ideas, and experiences
f) Be dedicated to the ideals of democracy and freedom
g) Recognize his/her responsibilities as a global citizen.
h) Committed to lifelong learning
iii) Identify limited number of programmes to kick start the university. The programmes identified should have high impact in the region and nationally. Identify a few fields of critical importance to the university and move them into a position of world leadership
iv) To choose from National priorities as set by government of Uganda indicated bellow
a) Medicine and allied professions
b) Technology
c) Science teacher education
d) ICT
e) Value addition
f) Entrepreneurship/management sciences
g) Community programmes
iii) Identification of programmes based on the following set priorities
a) Science education and ICT
b) Medicine and allied health
c) Pure science and technology
d) Management and business sciences
e) Value addition
f) Environmental sciences / engineering
iv) Benchmarking locally and internationally
v) Setting up writing teams to develop to programmes
vi) Profile of graduates’: problem solver practically oriented theoretically knowledgeable versatile, employability, global requirements
Deliverables
Written curriculum ready for accreditation
Goal on funding and resource development
Ensure that adequate resources are in place to fund infrastructure development and university operations over the next five years.
Strategies
The following financial sources shall be pursued to implement strategic plan goals and robust Framework for accountability to be developed:
- Government subvention
- Creating avenues for internally generated funds from fees (AIA) appropriation in aid.
- Creation of discipline specific Chairs
- Solicitation of scholarship
- Endowment fund
- Hire of facilities
- Gift donations
- Private sector funding
- Investments
Goal on Students
Attracting the qualified students to Soroti from diverse background and ensuring that the completion rates are high
Strategies
1) To develop quality measures which are flexible to attract and retain students
2) To work out framework for admission and mode of delivery based on the following:
i) Admission avenues to be used
a. A level leavers
b. Mature age scheme
c. Diploma holders scheme
d. Through bridging courses
e. Credit transfer from recognise institution.
ii) Mode of delivery shall be by the following mode:
a. Day programmes conducted through lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals
b. Evening programmes conducted through lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals
c. Weekend programmes conducted through lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals
d. Distance learning programmes through study materials in electronic media and face to face sessions by video link
iii) Registration
a. Shall be done on line registration
b. There shall be robust guidelines for monitoring progression
c. Student handbook to guide from admission to graduation shall be provided at registration time
iv) Accommodation
a. Limited campus accommodation for disable and venerable groups shall be made available by the university
b. Some hostels on university property shall be established with partnership with private developers on principle of Build operate and transfer (BOT).
c. Arrangements with Private hostel owners shall be made to ensure adequate secure affordable accommodation for students within the vicinity of the university
v) Graduate competences
The university shall be committed to developing graduates who are:
- Informed: Have a sound knowledge of an area of study or profession and understand its current issues, locally and internationally. Know how to apply this knowledge. Understand how an area of study has developed and how it relates to other areas.
- Independent learners: Engage with new ideas and ways of thinking and critically analyse issues. Seek to extend knowledge through on-going research, enquiry and reflection. Find and evaluate information, using a variety of sources and technologies. Acknowledge the work and ideas of others.
- Problem solvers: Take on challenges and opportunities. Apply creative, logical and critical thinking skills to respond effectively. Make and implement decisions. Be flexible, thorough, innovative and aim for high standards.
- Effective communicators: Articulate ideas and convey them effectively using a range of media. Work collaboratively and engage with people in different settings. Recognise how culture can shape communication.
Responsible: Understand how decisions can affect others and make ethically informed choices. Appreciate and respect diversity. Act with integrity as part of local, national, global and professional communities.
Goal on support services
To set up support services Infrastructure and facilities that provide an attractive, welcoming campus that support institutional goals.
The support services policies and facilities and services listed below shall be availed:
- Welfare Service
- Bookshop
- Career Development Office
- Equity Support
- Counselling Service
- Learning Support (reading, writing ,time management, critical thinking, self study
- Financial Advisory
- Accommodation Service
- Computing Support
- Disability Support
- Language Support
- International Student Support
- Medical Services
- play grounds and other recreational services
- Religious Services
- Multipurpose shopping Mall
- Housing
- Catering services
- Student centre
Goal on Outreach and Community Programmes
Soroti university staff, and students shall make meaningful contributions to local, societal, and global issues (e.g., problems of environmental sustainability, health, and poverty), from participating in public discourse to applied research and formal extension programs.
‘The person who moves a mountain begins by carrying small stones’
Ancient Chinese Proverb