The Open University of Kenya (OUK), a public specialised university established under a Charter granted on 3rd August 2023 pursuant to the Universities Act, is inviting qualified and experienced professionals to apply for Students Supervision opportunities across various academic disciplines.
Located within Konza Technopolis in Makueni County along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway, the University was established to expand access to quality higher education through technology-enabled learning. The institution is founded on the principles of inclusivity, flexibility, innovation, and accessibility, with a mission to develop skills and competencies that support Kenya’s socio-economic transformation.
As part of its commitment to academic excellence and quality learner support, the University is seeking experts from diverse fields to support postgraduate and advanced academic programmes through student supervision.
Available Students Supervision Areas
- Health Sciences
Specialisations include:
• Global Health and Diplomacy
• Health Economics and Financing
• Entrepreneurship and Healthcare Management
• Healthcare Procurement and Partnerships
• Global Business Environment
• International Trade Law and Policy
• Global Business Leadership and Diplomacy
Role Overview
The successful supervisors in Health Sciences will guide learners undertaking advanced studies and research in healthcare, public health, health financing, healthcare leadership, and global health systems.
Key Responsibilities
• Supervise student research projects, dissertations, and theses
• Provide academic and technical guidance throughout the research process
• Support students in developing research proposals and methodologies
• Review academic work and provide constructive feedback
• Monitor student progress and ensure adherence to academic standards
• Participate in assessment and evaluation processes where required
• Support learners in integrating theory with practical healthcare challenges
- Media, Communication and Design Technologies
Specialisations include:
• Graphic Design
• Instructional Design
• Learning Technologies and Educational Change
• Computer Graphics
• Data Analytics and Visualization
Role Overview
Supervisors in this area will support learners undertaking research and projects related to media technologies, instructional design, digital communication, educational innovation, and visual communication.
Key Responsibilities
• Guide students in research and project development
• Support the design and implementation of media and communication projects
• Evaluate academic progress and project outputs
• Provide mentorship on emerging communication and educational technologies
• Ensure quality standards are maintained in research work
• Facilitate effective integration of theory and practice
- Agriculture and Food Systems
Specialisations include:
• Agrobiodiversity and Ecosystem Services
• Soil Health in Agricultural Systems
• Climate Change and Agriculture
• Plant Nutrition and Fertilizers
• Animal Nutrition and Feeds
• Livestock Health and Management
• Agricultural Machinery and Technology
• Production of Horticultural Crops
• Plant Health Management
• Biostatistics
• Industrial Attachment and Field Practice
Role Overview
The supervisors will provide academic oversight to learners engaged in agricultural research, food systems innovation, climate-smart agriculture, and agricultural technology studies.
Key Responsibilities
• Supervise agricultural research projects and field studies
• Guide students on scientific research methods and data analysis
• Provide expertise in agricultural innovation and sustainability
• Review research outputs and recommend improvements
• Support students undertaking industrial attachment and practical learning
• Monitor compliance with ethical and academic research standards
- Information Technology, Computing and Artificial Intelligence
Specialisations include:
• Computer Vision and Image Analysis
• Natural Language Processing
• Responsible and Explainable AI
• Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI
• Data Management
• Database Administration
• Big Data Analytics with Apache Hadoop
• Data Governance, Ethics and Law
• System Analysis and Design
• Web Application Programming
• Secure Software Development
• Information Systems Control and Audit
• Cybersecurity Law and Ethics
• Internet Technologies
Role Overview
This area seeks professionals with expertise in modern computing, artificial intelligence, software development, cybersecurity, data science, and information systems.
Key Responsibilities
• Supervise postgraduate research and academic projects
• Guide students in the development of innovative technology solutions
• Support learners in applying research methodologies in computing disciplines
• Evaluate project quality and research outcomes
• Provide mentorship on emerging technologies and industry trends
• Ensure academic integrity and ethical compliance in research activities
- Engineering and Applied Technology
Specialisations include:
• Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing
• Technical Drawing
• Solid and Structural Mechanics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Electromagnetics
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Building Services
• Structural Design (Steel and Timber)
• Construction Management
• Power Systems
• Thermodynamics
• Vehicle Technology
• Applied Mechanics
• Advanced Engineering Design
• Sensors and Instrumentation
• Eco-Innovation and Waste Management
Role Overview
Supervisors in this category will support learners pursuing engineering and applied technology programmes through academic guidance and research mentorship.
Key Responsibilities
• Supervise engineering projects and technical research
• Guide students in design, analysis, and problem-solving methodologies
• Review project documentation and technical reports
• Support innovation and practical application of engineering principles
• Monitor learner progress and achievement of academic milestones
• Promote adherence to professional and ethical standards
- Marketing, Procurement and Project Management
Specialisations include:
• Global Marketing
• Digital Marketing
• Marketing Analytics
• Negotiation and Supplier Relations
• Procurement Law and Ethics
• Electronic Procurement
• Strategic Supply Chain and Sustainability
• Project Formulation
• Planning and Design
• Project Implementation and Monitoring
• Evaluation and Reporting
• Strategic Analysis and Models
• Project Methodologies and Models
• Procurement and Partnerships
Role Overview
The role focuses on supporting learners undertaking advanced studies in marketing, procurement, supply chain management, and project management.
Key Responsibilities
• Guide students through research and project development
• Provide mentorship in strategic planning and project execution
• Support learners in data analysis and decision-making processes
• Evaluate academic submissions and provide feedback
• Monitor student performance and research progress
• Promote industry-relevant approaches and best practices
- Human Resource Management and Leadership Development
Specialisations include:
• Strategic Human Resource Management
• Employee Relations and Labour Laws
• Performance Management
• Leadership Theories and Models
• Leadership and Innovation
• Corporate Governance and Leadership
• Ethics
• Governance and Accountability
• Public Policy and Governance
• Policy Implementation and Evaluation
Role Overview
Successful supervisors will mentor learners undertaking studies in leadership, governance, public administration, and human resource management.
Key Responsibilities
• Supervise research and academic projects
• Guide learners in leadership and governance studies
• Support policy analysis and evaluation research
• Review academic work and provide scholarly feedback
• Monitor progress toward programme objectives
• Encourage application of leadership and governance principles in real-world contexts
- Business, Finance and Economics
Specialisations include:
• Financial Accounting
• Business Mathematics
• Public Finance and Taxation
• Financial Analysis and Reporting
• Auditing and Investigation
• Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
• Corporate Strategy
• Strategic Management
• Applied Econometrics
• Behavioural and Institutional Economics
• Environmental and Natural Resources Economics
• Global Business Management
• Taxation
• Operations Research
• Business Law
• Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship
• Design Thinking
Role Overview
Supervisors in this area will provide guidance to learners pursuing advanced studies in business, finance, economics, entrepreneurship, and related disciplines.
Key Responsibilities
• Supervise dissertations, theses, and academic projects
• Guide learners in quantitative and qualitative research
• Support financial, economic, and business analysis studies
• Review research outputs and academic reports
• Ensure quality and relevance of academic work
• Facilitate the integration of theory and professional practice
- Education Leadership and Training
Specialisations include:
• Media Practicals and Micro Teaching
• Research Methods in Education
• Entrepreneurship Education
• Instructional Methods and Resources
• Education Leadership and Policy
• TVET Governance
• Leadership and Change Management
• Comparative Education and Internationalization
• Educational Policy and Planning
• Technology Education and Sustainable Development
• Global Trends in TVET
• Leadership Ethics in Technology Education
• Quality Assurance in TVET
Role Overview
The University seeks experts in education, training, policy development, and TVET systems to supervise learners and contribute to academic excellence.
Key Responsibilities
• Guide students in educational research and policy studies
• Supervise teaching practice and applied learning projects
• Support learners in curriculum development and instructional design
• Provide academic mentorship and professional guidance
• Evaluate research work and project outputs
• Promote quality assurance and best practices in education and training
Application Process
Interested candidates should visit the Open University of Kenya careers portal and apply for the relevant Students Supervision specialisation area that matches their expertise and academic background.
Only applications submitted through the official recruitment platform will be considered.
