Exploring the roles, core competences and training needs of middle-level academic managers for effective leadership at Makerere University

Abstract

My study focused at discovering the roles, core competences and training needs of Middle-Level Academic Managers for effective leadership at Makerere University. Middle-Level Academic Managers were required to answer the questions about their role, core competence and training needs for effective leadership at Makerere University. I reviewed literature according to my study objectives globally, in Sub-Saharan Africa and Uganda context. My study was conducted using a qualitative approach involving Middle-Level Academic Managers and these were the Deans, Deputy Principals and Principals at Makerere University. Twelve Middle-Level Academic Managers at Makerere University were purposively selected and interviewed independently and data was thematically analyzed. Study findings revealed that Middle-Level Managers at Makerere University carry out diverse roles where by the academic role emerged dominant and shared by all Middle-Level Academic Managers. My findings revealed that to effectively lead and manage their specific Schools and Colleges, Middle-Level Academic Managers guide in the process of developing and implementation of the curriculum, evaluating and assessing the effectiveness of the curriculum to the intended results. My study also revealed that Middle-Level Academic Managers possess a number of core-competences including networking, visionary, personal, academic experience and people competences for effective leadership of Makerere University. My study further revealed that Middle-Level Academic Managers need training in different aspects of leadership including leadership and management, human resource management, policies, financial management, as well as e-learning teaching and management. My study finding concluded that these Middle-Level Academic Managers performed roles including academic, teaching, administrative, managerial, research, human resource management, community service as well as knowledge transfer and partnership at Makerere University. Middle-Level Academic Managers need training in leadership and management, financial management, human resource management, policies issues, proper induction as well as e-learning teaching and management. My study recommends that Makerere University Management should train Middle-Level Academic Managers for effective leadership. Such trainings may help them to become more competent and enable them to perform their leadership roles more effectively which will also reduce leadership inefficiencies.