Leadership
The Chancellor of National Defence University-Kenya is the President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces. The Chancellor shall:
- Be titular head of the University and shall in the name of the University, confer degrees and grant diplomas, certificates and other awards of the University;
- Direct the Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary for the time being responsible for Defence a visitation to the University;
- Direct the Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary for the time being responsible for Defence on the course of action to be taken following a visitation;
- Direct or advice the Council on matters which the Chancellor considers necessary for the betterment of the University;
- Enjoy such powers and privileges and perform such other functions as may be necessary.
The Council, chaired by the Chief of the Defence Forces, is the highest decision-making organ of NDU-K on matters governance and management. The Council;
- Mobilizes resources to enable mandate implementation in conformity with the Universities Act, 2012 and the Charter.
- Mobilizes resources to enable mandate implementation in conformity with the Universities Act, 2012 and the Charter.
- Determines employee recruitment, appointment and promotion, approving the terms and conditions of service for University employees who are neither members of MoD nor other ministries.
- Considers and provides guidance pertaining to the Senate’s deliberations, reports and recommendations.
- Authorizes the conferment of honorary degrees Recommends the University’s annual budget to MoD
The vision, mission and philosophy upon which the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) is anchored heralds a new dawn in higher education in Kenya and the larger Eastern Africa sub-region. Upon attainment of full operational capability, the University will facilitate the development of a regional Centre of Excellence for academic, policy and strategic studies that will contribute towards the realisation of a secure, stable, peaceful and prosperous society. In light of this aspiration, NDU-K will endeavour to provide quality education and enable the conduct of research in the field of defence and security while deepening the capacity for strategy formulation amongst professionals in the security sector.
Further, NDU-K will create conditions for the training of professional leaders in the defence and security arena, able to operate in a dynamic strategic environment in order to mitigate the current and future security challenges. Therefore, NDU-K has a Strategic Plan that provides the strategic direction to enable the achievement of the university’s mandate. This aligns with Kenya’s desire to attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union Agenda 2063 and Kenya’s Vision 2030 economic blueprint, all of which are crucial in ensuring Kenya’s place as a regional leader.
The Council and the entire management are committed to grow the institution into a responsive and relevant academic leader in its areas of specialisation and chart the path for the roll out of university programmes.
The Vice-Chancellor is the administrative and academic head of the university. He is responsible for:
- Overseeing the day to day administrative, financial and academic matters of the University. Maintain and promote the academic image of the University and report to the Council;
- Facilitating and maintaining cooperation with government institutions, regulatory agencies, local and international institutions of higher learning and other stakeholders;
- Be responsible for directing, organising and administration of University programmes;
- Be responsible to the Council for implementation of policies, maintaining and promoting the efficiency and good order in the University;
- Be responsible to the Council for the discipline of the staff and students of the University;
- Be responsible to the Council for academic, research and other programmes;
- Be a member of every Committee appointed by the Council, unless otherwise directed by Council; and
- Be the Chairperson of the Senate and University Management Board, and any other University Committee as may be provided in these Statutes.
The Senate is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor.The senate:
- Is responsible for the design and implementation of academic programmes, research and administration
- Is answerable to the Council for academic programmes, and research activities and ensures that programmes meet universal standards
- Recommends to the Council the formation and harmonization of colleges, schools and centres from time to time as may be deemed appropriate in the execution of the NDU-K mandate
- Approves all academic programmes and their titles
- Has overall control of NIRUC academic programmes
The Division of AR&SS conducts scientific study and research that seeks to solve every day challenges in the security sector and in support of national development. It seeks to produces research-based solutions that will enhance performance of the security sector and contribute towards national development.
In achieving this, the Division is responsible for:
- Promoting critical learning in developing defence strategy as well as national security;
- Influencing policy and strategy formulation on matters of defence and national security;
- Promoting applied research in security and strategic studies;
- Collaborating with think tanks as well as other relevant oganisations in pursuit of academic excellence focusing on defence and national security;
- Publishing books, policy briefs, papers, monographs and special reports on national security and defence policy;
- Generate research articles for publication in peer reviewed journals;
- Chairing Applied Research committees as may be established by Senate or Management; and
- Allocation of applied research facilities and resources.
To enable service delivery, the DVC AR&SS is supported by :
- Director of Applied Research
- Director of Security Studies
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs and Research (DVC AA & R) is responsible for:
- University’s Academic Affairs and Research;
- Provision of secretariat to the Senate and all committees of the Senate;
- Coordinating the application of ICT in fostering effective teaching, learning, research and innovation;
- Enhancing University academic policies, offering relevant and security sector driven programmes and development of new programmes responsive to security and national development needs;
- Formulation and provision of policy guidelines on planning, development and management of academic programmes;
- Preparing curricula and rules and regulations governing the implementation of academic programmes;
- Overseeing the administration of students and management of student welfare services;
- Ensure the content and academic standards of any course of study in respect of any degree, diploma, certificate or other award of the University meets the requisite standards;
- Secretariat to the Senate and shall chair of Deans, Library, Student discipline, Student welfare and Postgraduate studies committees:
To enable service delivery, the DVC AA & R office is supported by:
- The Director of Academics
- Director of Examinations
- Head of Research
- Head of Postgraduate Studies
- Head of Teaching and Curriculum
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Finance and Administration (DVC F&A) shall be the Head of the Administration and Finance Division of the University and shall perform the following duties:
- Management of University Finances and Procurement planning;
- Preparation of estimates, allocation of funds, control of expenditure and financial accounting;
- Management of Human Resource and General Administration, Staff recruitment, training, appraisal and promotion, discipline and staff welfare;
- Payroll administration, Healthcare services and Staff registry administration. Physical infrastructural development and Estate management;
- Corporate planning;
- Catering and accommodation services;
- Secretariate to the University Management Board, and chairperson of Planning, Establishment and development, Income generation, Budget, Staff appointments, appraisal and promotion, Staff welfare, Health, Recreation, environmental protection and safety Committees.
To enable service delivery, the DVC AA & R office is supported by:
- Director of Finance and Accounts
- Director of Administration
The University Registrar shall work under the DVC Academic Affairs and Research. The responsibilities are:
- Overseeing all operations in the registration process (record creation, course schedule building, classroom assignment, final exam scheduling, grade processing, transcript issuance, and verification of student enrollment);
- Overseeing all operations in the transfer or credit process and Prior Learning Credit (evaluation of transcripts, posting of credit, processing and building of transfer credit rules in the academic portal);
- Development of the Academic Calendar, updating of the University website, and assist with development and publication of the University Catalogue;
- Responsible for beginning of semester and end of semester processing in academic portal; Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with defence and civilian staff across the NDU-K, and with peers in other universities;
- Serve on various University committees and advisory groups;
- Develop, evaluate, interpret, and enforce NDU-K policies, procedures, and strategies; Manage the fiscal affairs of the department, including budget development and priorities; exercise direct fiscal control over the approved budget;
- Direct the activities of clerical staff; determine major personnel decisions including staffing needs, such as hiring and firing; supervising staff selection, training and evaluation; Participate in commencement activities; certifiy student documents related to degree completion and produces certificates.
