Challenges to Strategy Implementation of ICT, Computer Based Management and Educational Support Systems in the Universities in Kenya

Abstract

Use of ICT and computer based systems to support learning, teaching and research is one of the key strategies in advancing training, innovation and technology in the university. Many universities in Kenya are laying down strategies of implementing computer based systems to support training and enhance service delivery owing to perceived benefits that accrue due to effective implementation of ICT strategies. Some Kenyan universities have even gone ahead to initiate E-learning in their institutions. This has a twofold focus, to reach out to students that are too busy to be in class as well as supplementing traditional training methods to those that study within the campus. E-learning also leads to increased enrolment with less additional resources now vital considering the pressure that universities are experiencing due to increased number of students that qualify for university enrolment. To fully realize the benefits of ICT and computer based systems effective strategy formulation and implementation are necessary. Most of the universities are experiencing challenges in implementing these strategies particularly those university colleges that have been converted from middle level colleges to meet the demand for increased university enrolment. This paper investigates the challenges to strategic implementation of ICT and computer based systems in the university. The researcher surveyed application and management of ICT in the university and purposively selected Mombasa Polytechnic University College (MPUC) as one of the university colleges that was upgraded from tertiary institution status. The paper empirically analyses the challenges and further offers recommendations on successful implementation of strategy to fully exploit the benefits of ICT and computer based information systems.