Pathways to Success: Enhancing Postgraduate Completion Rates at the University of Nairobi

On 29th May 2026, the Department of Sociology, Social Work and African Women Studies and the Department of Economics and Development Studies held a Dissemination and Dialogue Workshop for the project titled Pathways to Success: Enhancing Postgraduate Progression and Completion at the University of Nairobi. The Pathways to Success project was designed to understand the barriers affecting women’s progression and completion in postgraduate education at the University of Nairobi and to identify strategies for strengthening academic success, retention, and career development pathways. It was implemented through a partnership between the University of Nairobi and Queen Mary University of London with support from the British Council Gender Equality Partnerships Programme. The project was jointly led by Dr Roseanne Njiru of the Department of Sociology, Social Work and African Women Studies and Dr Anne Kamau of the Institute for Development Studies (IDS).

The dialogue workshop brought together female and male postgraduate students from different departments, alongside faculty administrators, Heads of Department, and postgraduate coordinators, to reflect collectively on how postgraduate progression and completion can be strengthened for all students while remaining attentive to gender-specific experiences and needs.The workshop aimed to share key findings from the Pathways to Success project, facilitate dialogue on factors influencing postgraduate progression and completion, explore strategies for strengthening student support, progression, and institutional responsiveness, and strengthen collaboration among students, departments, and faculty leadership to improve postgraduate completion outcomes.

Professor Martine Oleche, Chair of the Department of Economics and Development Studies, noted that the study was timely given growing concerns about postgraduate completion rates and the need to better understand the challenges affecting student progression.

Professor Gidraph Wairire, Chair of the Department of Sociology, Social Work and African Women Studies, observed that delays in postgraduate completion arise from a combination of personal, social, and institutional factors. He also suggested establishing a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Research Day to strengthen research engagement and support postgraduate progression.

The Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Dr Oscar Otele, shared good practices that the department had adopted to support students experiencing delays in progression and to encourage timely completion of their programmes.

Dr Kenneth Ombongi, the Associate Dean for Research and Postgraduate Studies, applauded the collaboration between the University of Nairobi and Queen Mary University of London. He noted that the project touched on issues affecting postgraduate students across higher education institutions. He further stated that it is through such conversations that universities learn, reflect, and grow.

Dr Roseanne Njiru presented the study objectives, research methodology, and a summary of postgraduate progression and completion challenges, and the project’s pilot mentorship and peer-support programme for postgraduate students.

The session concluded with postgraduate students sharing their experiences and reflecting on the challenges they face in completing their studies. The dialogue provided an opportunity for students to voice their concerns, engage directly with Faculty leadership, and explore possible solutions. Dr Ombongi reaffirmed the Faculty’s commitment to supporting students and addressing challenges affecting postgraduate progression and completion.