By Caroline Kimathi

Recently, the School of Graduate Studies, in collaboration with the Quality Assurance office and EAST-SPARK initiative, a regional capacity-building endeavour coordinated by a consortium of universities from Eastern and Southern Africa and Europe with the objective of professionalizing doctoral supervision, organized a comprehensive training workshop for doctoral supervisors.

This workshop brought together novice and experienced supervisors from various institutions such as Tangaza University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Technical University of Kenya, Marist University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenyatta University, and United States International University-Africa, among others.

During the workshop, a diverse range of critical topics were covered to enhance the effectiveness of doctoral supervision. These topics included establishing strong supervisory relationships with candidates, maintaining a structured approach to monitoring and tracking research progress, improving writing skills and facilitating publications, fostering the internationalization of doctoral training programs, and implementing best practices in the recruitment, selection, and allocation of supervisors. For instance, when discussing supervisory relationships, examples of successful mentorship programs and strategies for effective communication were shared to illustrate the importance of a supportive and constructive supervisory environment.

Additionally, in the session on enhancing writing and publications, practical tips on manuscript preparation, journal selection, and peer-review processes were provided to equip supervisors with the necessary tools to guide their candidates towards successful publication outcomes.

Overall, the workshop served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building among doctoral supervisors, enabling them to refine their skills, stay abreast of current trends in doctoral supervision, and ultimately contribute to the growth and development of the academic community. The collaborative efforts of institutions and experts involved in initiatives like EAST-SPARK play a pivotal role in elevating the standards of doctoral supervision and research excellence across the region.