Registrar-ASA

NAME:                                                          EZRA M.ONDARI-OKEMWA

 

CURRENT ADDRESS:  Machakos University, Office of the Registrar (Academic and Student Affairs)

P.O. Box 136 – 90100

MACHAKOS – KENYA   

Telephone: +254 444-21604 (Office)                                                                       +254708458321 (Cell)    

E-mail: eookemwa@machakosuniversity.ac.ke /eookemwa@yahoo.com

EDUCATION:

2007                      PhD in Knowledge Management, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Title of Thesis: “An investigation into the practices, procedures and challenges of knowledge management in government-owned organizations in Kenya”.

 1989                       ALA-accredited Ms, Post Master Certificate of Advanced Study, both in Library and Information Sciences, with a specialization in Information Resources Management, Minor: Communication and Media Studies, University of North Texas, Denton, U.S.A.(SAQA assessed level 8)

1985                       B.A. 2nd Class Hons (Upper Division) International Relations and African Languages,University of Nairobi, Kenya(SAQA assessed level 6)

1980                       The Kenya Certificate of Advanced Education:  Three Principal Passes, One Subsidiary pass – Cardinal Otunga (Mosocho) High School, Kenya

1978                       The East African Certificate of Education – Gesusu High School, Kenya

WORK HISTORY

 PRESENT                            Machakos University: Professor of Knowledge Management in the School of Education seconded as  Registrar (Academic and Students Affairs): Assisting the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Students Affairs) in general administration, planning, financial and budgetary matters; coordinating programmes, syllabi, rules and regulations governing implementation and of academic and research programmes and students’ affairs and conduct in the university examinations; coordinating continuous assessment and university examinations; professional and national examinations; coordinating and preparing teaching and examination timetables; providing secretarial services to all University Senate Committees related to academics and student matters; working closely with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Students Affairs) on the training needs of teaching and technical staff; working closely with academic Departments to ensure success in Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Interventions; coordinating administration, planning, finance and processing  of examinations, academic transcripts and certificates; communicating, following up and implementing decisions made by University Management Board; any other duties assigned and/or delegated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Students Affairs) or the Vice-Chancellor .

Teaching and conducting research and supervising postgraduate students in the areas of knowledge management, open access publishing, indigenous knowledge systems, scholarly communication and information resources management.

March 1, 2013 – November 1, 2016

University of Fort Hare: Professor and Head of Department: The Department of Library and Information Science: Duties: Charged with departmental administrative duties, Teaching and examining undergraduate and postgraduate students, supervising postgraduate students’ research projects and conducting research. Areas of teaching and research: Knowledge management, Information resources management, Human resource management, Media and communication studies, Public Relations, Management of Media organizations and other duties

 

August 1, 2011 – Feb 28, 2013

University of Fort Hare: Associate Professor and Head of Department: The Department of Library and Information Science: Duties: Charged with departmental administrative duties, Teaching and examining undergraduate and postgraduate students, supervising postgraduate students’ research projects and conducting research. Areas of teaching and research: Knowledge management, Information resources management, Human resource management, Media and communication studies, Public Relations, Management of Media organizations and other duties

 

August 1, 2007 – July 30, 2011

 University of Fort Hare: Senior Lecturer and Head of Department: The Department of Library and Information Science: Duties: Charged with departmental administrative duties, Teaching and examining undergraduate and postgraduate students, supervising postgraduate students’ research projects and conducting research. Areas of teaching and research: Knowledge management, Information resources management, Human resource management, Media and communication studies, Public Relations, Management of Media organizations and other duties

 

Jan 07 – July 07                 University of South Africa, Department of Information Science: Lecturer

DUTIES: Teaching and examining undergraduate and postgraduate students, supervising postgraduate students’ research projects and conducting research. Areas of teaching and research: Knowledge management, Information resources management, Human resource management, Media and communication studies

1997- 2006                           Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya, Faculty of Information Sciences – Lecturer

DUTIES: Teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students, supervising postgraduate students’ research projects, conducting research and tutorials and examining students. Areas of research and teaching interests: Knowledge Management, Information and Human resources management, media and communication studies, provision of information for poverty eradication, development and training.

1997-2006                            Kenya Institute of Management: Part-time Consultant/Trainer

Duties: Training and consulting for the Kenya Institute of Management, Eldoret Branch. Areas of training and consultancy include human resources management, management, training, public relations, organizational behaviour and knowledge management.

     

2004-2005                        University of Cape Town – Part-time Research Assistant – Indigenous knowledge System Project, Centre for Information Literacy, University of Cape Town. Assisting in an NRF-funded research project on indigenous knowledge which started in May 2004.

1991-96                         Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology – Assistant Librarian in charge of Acquisitions Unit/Book shop Manager.

DUTIES: Reference, on-line searching, reviewing and recommending books for purchase, liaising with teaching staff in determining which books and other information materials to be purchased and other duties

1990-91                         Kenya National Archives and Documentation Services – Librarian

DUTIES:  Reference, on-line searching, assisting patrons to locate information, reviewing books and recommending for purchase and other duties.

1987-1990                    University of North Texas Libraries, Denton, Texas – Graduate Library Assistant,

DUTIES:  Manning The Reference Desk, answering reference questions, on-line searching, was assisting patrons to locate information using manual and electronic information sources and other duties.

1985-86                         Teachers’ Service Commission of Kenya Graduate Secondary School Teacher

DUTIES:  Teaching and preparing secondary school students for national examinations

Publications                              

Journal Articles and Conference Proceedings papers

 Salubi, G O Ondari-Okemwa, E and Nekhwevha, F (2018). Utilization of library information resources among Generation Z students: Facts and Fiction. Publications 2018, 6(2) 16; doi: 10.3390/publications6020016.

 Ondari-Okemwa, E (2016). Developing digital information literacy at institutions of higher learning in sub-Saharan Africa: opportunities and challenges.  In: Digital transformation  and the changing role of libraries and information centres in the sustainable development of Africa. ISBN: 978-0-7978-0408-1. Conference proceedings of the Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Library and Information Association (SCECSAL XXII), 25-29 April 2016, Convention Centre, Royal Swazi Sun, eZwilini, Swaziland, PP. 1-20.

S. Muzondo and E. Ondari-Okemwa (2015). Impact of organizational culture on internal knowledge production: a case study of the Africa Institute of South Africa. Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies, 33(1): 1-22.

 Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2014. Ethical issues and indigenous knowledge production and use in sub-Saharan Africa in the 21^st century. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(23):2389-2396.

 Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2011. Knowledge production and distribution by institutions of higher education in sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities and challenges. South African Journal of Higher Education, 25(7): 1447-1469.

 Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2011. The strategic importance of identifying knowledge-based and intangible assets for generating value, competitiveness and innovation in sub-Saharan Africa. South African journal of Libraries and Information Science, 77(1):138-154.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2010. The strategic relevance of the identification of intangibles in the knowledge economy. In Proceedings of 1^st International Conference on Leadership and Management for Sustainable Development, Hosted by : UNISA Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL), October 6-8, 2012, 33-51.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2010. The strategic relevance of the identification of intangibles in the knowledge economy. In Proceedings of the 1^st International Conference on Leadership and Management for Sustainable Development, UNISA School of Business Leadership, Midrand, 6-8 October 2010, 33-51. ISBN: 978-1-86888-651-7

Ondari-Okemwa, E. and Smith, G.J. 2009. The role of knowledge management in enhancing government service delivery in Kenya. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science 2009, 75(1):28-39.

Minishi-Majanja, M. and Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2009. Enhancing government basic service delivery and performance effectiveness in sub-Saharan Africa through e-governance.  Mousaion, 27(2):17-35.

 Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2008.Knowledge management practices in the South African civil service. In Proceedings of the 5^th International Conference on Intellectual Capital and Knowledge Management, New York Institute of Technology, New York, USA, 9-10 October 2008. Ed. Kevin O’Sullivan, 377-387

Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2007. Scholarly publishing in sub-Saharan Africa in the 21sth century: challenges and opportunities. First Monday, 12(10), October 2007, [Online]: http://www.uic.edu/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/1966/1842

Ondari-Okemwa, E. and Smith, G. 2007. Knowledge Management and enhanced government-service delivery in Kenya. In Proceedings of the 4^th International Conference on Intellectual Capital, Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning, University of Stellenbosch  Business School, South Africa, 15-16 October. Ed. Dan Remenyi, 285-292.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. and Minishi-Majanja, M. (2007), “Knowledge management education in Departments of Library and Information Science in South Africa. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, Vol. 73 No.2, pp. 136-146.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. (2006), “Knowledge management in a research organization: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI),” International journal of Libraries and Information Services, Vol.56 No1, PP.63-72.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. (2004), “Impediments to promoting access to global knowledge in sub-Saharan Africa,” Library Management, Vol. 25, No. 8/9, PP.361-375.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. (2002)“Challenges of Harnessing Virtual Information Resources in Kenya: The case of the African Virtual University,” Journal of Information Science, Vol.28 No.4, pp.321-329.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. (2000) “Training needs of practicing professional       library staff in the Kenyan public university libraries: a critical analysis,”               Library Management, Vol. 21, No.5, pp. 257-268.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. (1999), “Managing a library automation project: the Moi University experience,” Library Management, Vol.20No.4, pp. 228-234.

Book/s

Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2009. Knowledge management in sub-Saharan Africa government agencies: The case of Kenyan government-owned organizations. Germany, Koln: Lambert Academic Publishing. ISBN: 978-3-8383-1481-5

 

Book Chapters

 Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2016. Information-Seeking behaviour of users in the digital libraries’ environment in sub-Saharan Africa. In Tella, A. Information-seeking behaviour and challenges in digital libraries. Publisher: IGI Global disseminator of Knowledge, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA, Chapter Two, PP. 25-41

Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2013. Educating and training knowledge workers on management and valuation of intangible assets in a knowledge economy. In Buckley, S. and Jackvljevic (Eds.) Knowledge management innovations for interdisciplinary education: Organizational applications. Publisher: IGI Global Disseminator of Knowledge, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA, pp. 233-253.

 Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2010. Open access as an alternative mode of scholarly publishing and enhancement of knowledge production in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ngobeni S.  Scholarly publishing in Africa: Opportunities and impediments, pp. 199-219.

MOST RECENT PAPERS PRESENTED AT CONFERENCES

 Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2016. Developing digital information literacy at institutions of higher learning in sub-Saharan Africa: opportunities and challenges (keynote paper). 22^nd Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Library  and Information Associations, Convention Centre, Royal Swazi Sun, eZulwin, Swaziland, 25-29 April 2016.

Moyo, M and Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2014. Perceptions of students on information literacy intervention at two South African universities. The European Conference on Information Literacy 2014, Hotel Valamar Lacroma, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 20-23 October 2014.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2014. The Role of Academic Libraries in Facilitating Access to Digital Information in Sub-Saharan Africa in the 21st Century. Annual International Conference on Library and Information Science, 2014  – Organized by Athens Institute for Education and Research, St. George Lycabettus Botique Hotel, Athens, Greece, 3-8 August 2014.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2014. Open access and scholarly publishing in sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities and challenges. The 2^nd Annual Peer Review and Research Publishing Summit. Organized by AMC International, Southern Sun Hotel, O R Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa, 23-25 April 2014.

 Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2013.  Ethical issues and indigenous knowledge production and use  in sub-Saharan Africa in the 21^st century.  The 5th International Conference on Information, Capital, Property & Ethics (ICPE-2013). Organized by  at Tsurumi University, Yokohama, Japan .  Organized by the Department of Library, Archival and Information Studies, Tsurumi University, Yokohama, Japan, 6-7 December, 2013.

 Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2011. The role of library schools in shaping the changing patterns of scholarly communication. Stellenbosch University 2011 Annual Symposium, JS Gerick Library Auditorium, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, 17-18 November 2011. (I chaired a Session)

Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2011. Training of LIS professionals in a changing environment: the case of South Africa. Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) 13^th Conference, East London International Conventional Centre, East London, South Africa,  3-7 October 2011. (I presented a plenary paper and  chaired two sessions)

 Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2010. The strategic relevance of the identification of intangibles in the knowledge society. 1^st International Conference on Leadership and Management for Sustainable Development, UNISA Graduate School of Business Leadership, Midrand, South Africa, October 6-8, 2010. (I chaired a session)

Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2010. The Strategic Relevance of the Identification of Knowledge-based and Intangible Assets in sub-Saharan Africa. 6^th Annual International Conference on Knowledge Management and Applied Technological Innovations for Sustainable Development, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya, September 7-11, 2010. (I chaired a session)

 Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2009. Knowledge production through scholarly publishing in sub-Saharan Africa: a bibliometric analysis of the period 1996-2007. Second International Public Knowledge Scholarly Publishing Conference, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 8-10, 2009.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2009. Open access as an alternative mode of scholarly publishing and enhancement of knowledge production in Sub-Saharan Africa. International conference organized by the African Institute of South Africa, Birchwood Hotel, Johannesburg, 28-29 May, 2009.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2008. Knowledge management practices in the South African civil service. A paper presented at the 5^th International Conference on Intellectual Capital and Knowledge Management, New York Institute of Technology, USA, 9-10 October 2008.

 Ondari-Okemwa, E. 2007. Mobilizing and producing knowledge for achieving the Millennium Development Goals in sub-Saharan Africa. A paper presented at the Development Bank of Southern Africa Knowledge Week, October 20-23, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. and Smith, G. 2007. Knowledge management and enhanced government service-delivery in Kenya. Fourth International Conference on Intellectual Capital, Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning, University of Stellenbosch Business School, South Africa, 15-16 October.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. and Minishi-Majanja, M.  Enhancing governance, performance and effectiveness to deliver government services in sub-Saharan Africa through knowledge management. Knowledge Management Africa Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, July 17-19, 2007.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. Scholarly publishing in sub-Saharan Africa in the twenty-first century: challenges and opportunities. International Public Knowledge Project Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 11-13, 2007.

Ondari-Okemwa, E. and Minishi-Majanja, M.  Knowledge Management education in Departments of Library and Information Science in South Africa. Progress in Library and Information Science in South Africa (ProLISSA) Conference, Pretoria, South Africa, November 2-3, 2006.

ON-GOING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

1. Open access as an alternative mode of enhancing scholarly publishing and production of knowledge in sub-Saharan Africa.
2. The role of sub-Saharan African universities in training knowledge workers
3. Organizational learning and performance improvement in Kenyan parastatals
4. Indigenous knowledge and development in sub-Saharan Africa
5. Knowledge management education in the departments of Library/Information Science in South Africa

MEMBERSHIP

1. African Technology Policy Studies
2. Knowledge Leadership Associates (Western Cape)
3. LIASA
4. Public Knowledge Project (Vancouver, Canada)

SUPERVISION OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

 Doctor of Philosophy:

 “Internet usage among undergraduates and its impact on the utilization of library information resources: A study of selected universities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.” A Doctor of Philosophy thesis by Gabriel Salubi, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, 2018.

“Availability and accessibility of educational information to learners in selected high schools in South Africa.” By Stella O. Oyediran-Tidings. A doctor of Philosophy thesis, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, 2017.

“Knowledge sharing as a means of improving municipal governance in Limpopo municipalities.” By Dikotla, Maoka, A. Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, 2016.

“The role of indigenous knowledge in agriculture and environmental : A case of Gutu District, Zimbabwe.”  By Obert Wutete, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, 2014.

“An analysis of the content of information literacy programmes in South African institutions of higher learning: A study of Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare. A doctor of Philosophy Thesis, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, 2014.

“Knowledge retention strategies in three SADC public broadcasting corporations: a study of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Department of Broadcasting Services (DBS) (Botswana) and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).” By Peterson Dewah, Doctor of Philosophy Thesis, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, 2012.

 

Masters’ Degrees:

“An evaluation of knowledge sharing as a knowledge management tool in public libraries in Cape         Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa.” By Vuyokazi Tatana, Master of Library and                Information Science Thesis, Department of Library and Information Science, University of          Fort Hare, South Africa, 2015

 “The information-seeking behavior of economically disadvantaged communities: a case study of the Amsterdam community in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.” By Chemezie Obi, Master of Library and Information Science Thesis, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, 2014.

“Information-seeking behavior of postgraduate students: a study of Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare.” By Madireng Jane Monyela, Master of Library and Information Science Thesis, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, 2014.

“The use of Internet-based information sources by postgraduate students: a survey of three universities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. By Sarlomie Mbasera, Master of Library and Information Science Thesis, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, 2012.

“The effects of the brittle national information policy framework on information services in Malawi.” By Hambani Adamson Gausi, Master of Library and Information Science Thesis, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, 2012

“Knowledge production in a think tank: A case study of the Africa Institute of Africa (AISA).” By Shingirirai Muzondo, Master of Library and Information Science Thesis, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Fort Hare, South Africa, 2010.

“Conservation of Information Materials in University Libraries in Kenya: A Case Study of Moi University,” by Iddi, Webukha Juma, Department of Library and Information Studies, Moi University, 2001.

Jane Kimbwarata (2000) “An analysis of the Information Needs and Information-Seeking Behaviour of Kenyan Research Medical Scientists:  The Case of KEMRI.”  Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) Thesis, Department of Library and Information Studies, Moi Unversity.

EXAMINATION OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (M.PHIL) THESES

 “Accessibility to Information Resources by the Public Secondary School Population: A Case Study of Eldoret Municipality,” by Mathenge, Loise, Department of Library and Information Studies, Moi University, 2000.

“The Problems Secondary School Personnel Encounter as they Implement Computer Use in their Schools: A Study of Secondary Schools in Uasin Gishu District,” by Makewa, Lazarus Ndiku,  Department of Educational Communication Technology, Moi University 2001

Fidelis Katonga Mutisya (1999) “Provision of Business Information to Business and Industrial Community in Kenya:  The Case of Machakos Municipality”.  Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) Thesis, Department of Library and Information Studies, Moi University

External Examination

Doctoral Theses:

 “Provision of information to improve rural livelihoods in arid and semi-arid lands in Kenya: The case of Maarifa telecentres.” By Catherine Wangeci Ndungu, 2018, Moi University, Kenya.

 “A model for information access and flow for electronic governance inselected local governments in Uganda. By Denis Asiimwe Katebire, 2016, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria

 “Access and use of poultry management information in selected rural areas of Tanzania” By Grace, E.P. Mosoffe, 2014, University of South Africa (UNISA).

“Information-seeking Behavior of Humanities/Arts International Postgraduate Students in Public Universities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.” By Moitse Majyambere, 2014, University of KwaZululu-Natal.

“Academic integration of libraries at universities of technology (UoTs) in South Africa.” By Shirlene Neerputh, 2013, Doctorate of Technology, Durban University of Technology, South Africa.

Masters’ Theses:

 “Assessing records management at the Parliamentary Service Commission of Kenya.”  By Faith Muthoni Njeru, Moi University, Kenya, 2018.

“Records management and service delivery at the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum in Kenya.” By Martin Munyao Mutiso, Moi University, 2017.

“The status and development of infopreneurship in selected cities in Nigeria and South Africa.” By Mudia Osborbone Ivwurie, University of Zululand, South Africa

“In-house indexing of periodical literature: a case of the University of Nairobi library, Kenya”. By Matanji, Peter, H.M. 2011, UNISA.

“An evaluation of Library and Information Science Curricula in Zimbabwe”. By N. Pasipamre, 2012, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

AWARDS

 National Research Foundation (NRF) Rating – C3 – Since 1^st January 2012

Literati Club Awards for Excellence, 2000.  Highly commended Award for “Managing a Library automation project: the Moi University experience

SHORT COURSES ATTENDED

 “Training of Trainers Course” – by The Kenya Institute of Management from 9th to 10th March, 2000.  Certificate of attendance awarded.