Institutional elements of regional development in Mountains of the Moon University

Abstract

In this study I sought to investigate institutional elements of regional development in Mountains of the Moon University (MMU). Three research objectives guided the study. To establish the influence of the regulative element of regional development in MMU; to ascertain the influence of cognitive element of regional development in MMU and to examine the influence of the normative element of regional development in MMU. A case study design was used with qualitative methods to collect and analyze data using interviews and document analysis techniques from twenty five informants, including thirteen lecturers, four external stakeholders (including Kabarole District Local Government, Toro kingdom, the Catholic Church and Rwenzori Diocese) and eight administrative staff (the vice chancellor, deans and heads of department) purposively selected from the population. Informants were drawn from sciences (School of Informatics and Computing, School of Agriculture and Environment Sciences, School of Health Sciences) and social sciences (School of Education and School of Business and Management Studies). Data analysis was done using data summary techniques, editing and coding. The researcher found that the regulative elements in form of national development policies and higher education policies have offered strict guidelines for MMU’s regional development role. Furthermore, the cognitive element as expressed in the strategic plan, human resource policy and academic programs and activities has influenced the role of MMU in regional development. In addition the normative shows that different university stakeholders (internal and external) have played their role to influence MMU in promoting regional development. The researcher concluded that for teaching to reflect the regulative element of regional development it should be done in line with national development plan and National Council for Higher Education standards. whereas for the cognitive element of region development to be realized, practical courses, outreach program, internship for students, staff development, extensive research and teaching should be put into practice. Finally the normative element can be realized when teaching puts into account establishing a partnership with the respective external stakeholders. The study recommended that MMU management should enforce the vision and mission of the university, NCHE needs to continue supervising MMU activities to ensure that standards are maintained, MMU management needs to continue developing capacity for its staff through scholarship and also stakeholders have to be involved in the management of the university and lastly there is need for continued collaboration with development partners since they are influential university funders.