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  • Vol. 5 No. 1 (2023)

    FOREWORD


    This Journal aptly named, “The University Journal” is a consequence of a protracted debate
    among the members of the Doctoral Association of Eastern Africa (DAEA) on the need to
    provide a channel through which Academicians and practitioners can exchange ideas with the
    sole aim of positively impacting on society through research. At DAEA, we recognize that part
    of the problem with Kenya and wider African continent is that majority of our research work
    are not driven by third party (the consuming community) but personal needs. It is no wonder
    that most research output continue to gather “dust” in our Universities Africanas and/or the
    modern electronic thesis/project databases. A number of our universities continue to churn out
    highly ‘know-ledged’ people with higher degrees and yet their impact has not been felt in equal
    measure by Society. There has been increasingly no incentive for both the public and private
    sector to rush in embrace for our products!


    Yes, we recognize that role of the University is to teach and research but in the modern times,
    teaching and researching without reference to societal needs is one sure way of wasting our
    countries’ scarce resources, resources that would otherwise be used for change infusing
    endeavors. We at DAEA are very pleased that this Journal is presenting its 3
    issue. We are also very excited that this issue has attracted papers from diverse disciplines.
    Historically, society has looked at Universities as generators of quality knowledge with
    requisite potential to drive positive change. In a number of countries, Universities have lived
    up to this expectation by being centres of reference by both the public and private sectors both
    for evidence-based advice and quality personnel. In Kenya just as in majority of sub-Saharan
    Africa, there is little evidence that the research output has been meaningfully used to derive
    change. There is, to say the least, a seeming mismatch between research in academia and
    societal needs, and this is where “The University Journal” comes in.


    Welcome to Volume 5 Issue 1 of ‘The University Journal”: a peer-refereed academic Journal
    designed to enable research make societal sense. With its broad scope, this Journal is dedicated
    to developmental challenges and not simple research topics to provide a platform through
    which academia and other researchers meet the expectations of the greater community for
    societal good.


    This issue includes several papers which invariably determine the face of the journal and set
    the stage for subsequent issues that will publish intended only to impact on societal change. At
    the same time, research papers included in this issue exemplify the kinds of papers that the
    journal will favor.


    Using this publication platform, the association would like to thank the many people who
    created the opportunity for the journal to be born and who made it happen. We at DAEA
    welcome you to take advantage of this very unique journal to link with your peers and all other
    stakeholders both in the public and private sectors.


    The Chairman,
    Doctoral Association of Eastern Africa
    Email: Membership@daea.or.ke
    August 2022.