Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) has inducted its 39 new staff members in an elaborate three-day exercise graced by the Vice Chancellor and other top administrators in the University.
The induction, facilitated by the Human Resource Department, ran from August 12 to 15, 2025.
The inductees, who also included 6 interns, received intense training and are now deemed fully equipped with essential knowledge and tools to succeed in their designations.
A team of eleven senior university officials, including members of the University Management Board led by Vice-Chancellor Prof Laila Abubakar took the new staff through motions including familiarizing them to the University’s mission, vision, values, and strategic goals.
They also tackled entire university systems, policies, and procedures, all meant to help new staff understand their contribution to the larger institution while fostering job satisfaction and enhancing productivity.
It was also an opportunity for the recruits to interact with different staff in their respective departments and faculties.
VC Laila urged the new recruits to internalize the university's vision and mission and ensure they are always working towards the University goals.
She reminded them to be customer focused pointing out funding to university follows student numbers hence the need to make the University great and best choice for students.
"We should always treat students with high regard, treat them with the same importance that you regard your pay slip," Prof Laila said. She stressed that attracting more students is contingent on providing high-quality services, from academics to support systems.
The Vice-Chancellor said TUM remains committed to excellence which explains why it has ventured into numerous international collaborations. At the same time, TUM is now recognized as a Centre of Excellence for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes. Still, it is working strategically to establish more centres of excellence in areas such as Marine and Maritime Studies, Business & Entrepreneurship, and Research.
Prof Joseph Rasowo, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Finance, and Planning (AFP), provided new staff with a detailed overview of the departments under his division. He emphasized the crucial role of his office in the development, implementation, and review of policies that guide all university’s operations.
He informed the team that every employee is responsible for ensuring TUM achieves its Strategic Plan 2023-2027, which is aligned with both Kenya Vision 2030 and East African Community Vision 2050.
Speaking in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Staff Disciplinary Committee, Prof Rasowo cautioned employees against undermining the university's legal instruments and core values, particularly integrity and professionalism.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic, Research, and Extension (DVC-ARE) Prof Peter Gichangi emphasized on the importance of research and innovation, which he said is a collective responsibility for all staff members.
"Innovation is simply a new way of doing things, better," he stated. "Every one of us should be part and parcel of research and innovation. One person can be the lead researcher, while another—like an Administrative Assistant—can contribute by typing and preparing essential documents," he quipped.
To support these efforts, the university initiated several moves, namely reducing the workload for staff engaged in research; coordinating, incubating, and allocating funds for approved proposals; and providing a platform for innovators to showcase their findings, such as the University's Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation Week.
Prof Gichangi added that despite the current financial challenges facing universities across the country, the university remains dedicated to providing quality services with limited resources.
He also encouraged staff to stay current by utilizing the resources available in the university library.
The Deputy Chief Legal Officer (DCLO) Dr Hamisi Mwadzogo addressed new staff on critical issues of university governance, anti-corruption measures, and data protection. As a Commissioner for Oaths, he administered the Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy to each new member, who also signed a Data Protection Consent form before him.
The Deputy Human Resource Manager (DHRM) Mr David Mwakidimi, echoed the sentiments of the DCLO advising the staff to always operate within the law and to be focused in line with their contractual obligations.
Deputy Director Quality Assurance Dr. Kennedy Ondimu emphasized the crucial role of the directorate in ensuring the university's quality standards in all departments.
“Our mandate is guided by ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems (QMS), which ensures the consistent delivery of quality services by focusing on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement,” Dr Ondimu said.
He also touched on ISO 27001:2022 Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) certification whose essence is mitigating cybersecurity risks and protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of university data.
The manager of Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS), Mr Mohamed Swaleh, provided an overview of his Department's crucial role in supporting the entire university community. He detailed a wide range of responsibilities, including ensuring reliable internet connectivity, maintaining both hardware and software, and managing the university's main servers.
His team is also responsible for orienting new staff on all key university systems, such as email, the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, and the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS), while also overseeing website management and overall system security.
Mr Salim Chiro, the Head of Corporate Communications Department, addressed the new staff on the vital role of communication in achieving the university's vision and mission.
Mr Chiro detailed the official communication channels as outlined in the TUM Communication Policy and stressed the importance of adhering to them. He concluded his presentation by urging all staff members to be customer-focused in their daily operations and to act as brand ambassadors for the university to help attract and retain more students.
Mr Rerimoi Silvan Kiptui of Estate Department took the members through Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) as a requirement and a critical component for creating a safe and healthy work environment for everyone. Kiptui taught them vital information on emergency procedures. The new employees were briefed on their responsibilities and the university's commitment to OSH.
They included first aid provisions, including the location of first aid kits and designated first aiders; and incident and hazard reporting procedures, particularly in terms of reporting accidents, near misses, or unsafe conditions.
By providing this information early, the university has equipped the team with appropriate information to take responsibility for their own safety and contribute to a culture of safety across the institution.
Ms Ruth Dama from the Finance Department provided a detailed explanation of the procedures for taking and surrendering imprests, as guided by the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act and the University's finance Policy. She outlined the correct process for applying for an imprest, emphasizing the necessary documentation and approval channels.
During the induction, representatives from Kingdom Bank provided the new staff with valuable financial management and investment knowledge. The session was designed to help employees effectively plan their finances and avoid distress.
Bank representatives presented various financial products and services, including insurance and loans, to assist the new staff in making informed decisions about their financial endeavors in future.
