Prof. Okoche John Michael Maxel

Prof. Okoche John Michael Maxel is the Vice Chancellor and Associate Professor of Monitoring and Evaluation (Business School) at Universal Technology And Management University.

Associate Professor has experience of more than 16 years in University Education by undertaking teaching and student supervision, leadership, research, consultancy, and a reviewer in journals and conferences.

• Time of Service: the associate Professor has progressively grown through Academic ranks: Associate Lecturer (2011) → Lecturer (2011–2020) → Senior Lecturer (2020–2022) → Associate Professor (2022–present).
• Teaching & Student Supervision: Taught course units for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Supervised 100+ master’s students and 3 PhD candidates to completion. Delivered courses in Monitoring & Evaluation, Public Administration, Management, Machine Learning, and Policy Design.
• Leadership & Administration: held 5 major leadership positions in academic institutions 1) Dean, Graduate School 2) Dean, School of Humanities & Social Sciences 3) Head of Department of Management 4) Assistant Director, Quality Assurance and 5) Coordinator, Research & Development. In addition, oversaw graduate admissions, curriculum design, accreditation audits, ISO compliance, and faculty development.
• Research & Growth: Authored 31 journal publications and 2 textbooks. Secured, 5 book chapters and 31 peer reviewed conference proceedings. Presented at international conferences in USA, Europe, and Africa undertaken curriculum innovation.
• Consultancy assignments: the consultancy assignments in different organisations in project design, monitoring, and diagnosis in different countries in sub-Saharan Africa. He has undertaken several diagnosis consultancies for governments, NGOs such as the UNICEF, OXFAM, European Union Project, World Bank, Office of the Prime Minister.
• Editorial & Board Membership: Member of editorial boards for academic journals in leadership and management. Served on university committees for curriculum, quality assurance, and graduate supervision.

Lecturing Positions

Associate Professor: Universal Technology And Management University, August 2022 to Date

The position focuses on conducting high-quality research, leading in teaching and curriculum development, and mentoring junior faculty and students. In addition, publish in academic journals, and take on significant administrative leadership within the university, and professional communities.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Research and Scholarship: Leading research projects, publishing original research in high-impact journals, presenting at conferences, and securing external research funding.
• Teaching and Curriculum Development: Designing, updating, and delivering undergraduate and postgraduate courses, developing curricula, and incorporating innovative teaching methods.
• Academic Leadership and Mentorship: Mentoring junior staff, teaching assistants, and research students, while providing academic leadership in School of Graduate Studies and School of Business.
• Institutional Service: Serving on university committees, participating in departmental management, managing academic programmes, and supporting staff performance.
• Community and Professional Engagement: Participating in professional associations and contributing to academic debate at national and international levels.

Senior Lecturer: Universal Technology And Management University, July 2020 - August 2022

The position involved leadership in teaching, research, and administration. The key duties of designing/delivering curriculum, conducting high-quality independent research, mentoring junior staff, leading academic courses, and contributing to university management.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Teaching and Learning: Delivering high-quality teaching through various methods, leading module development, designing assessments, and supervising student projects or field trips.
• Research and Scholarship: Actively engaging in research to produce publications and advancing scholarship in their discipline.
• Academic Leadership and Administration: Module leadership, contributing to curriculum design and quality assurance, and taking on roles like program management or departmental leadership.
• Mentorship and Supervision: Providing mentorship to less experienced colleagues and supervising postgraduate students.
• Management and Compliance: Ensuring compliance with university academic policies, safety standards, and taking responsibility for quality audits.
• Networking and Recruitment: Fostering academic/industry collaboration, engaging with professional bodies for accreditation, and participating in student recruitment activities.

Lecturer: Uganda Technology And Management University, July 2018 - August 2020

The position involved delivering high-quality education through teaching, designing curricula, and assessing student work, while simultaneously conducting original research to advance their field. They also provide academic guidance to students, contribute to university administration, and engage in community outreach.

Key duties and Responsibilities:

• Teaching and Instruction: Delivering lectures, conducting seminars, organizing tutorials, and facilitating workshops or laboratory sessions.
• Curriculum Development: Designing, updating, and developing course materials to ensure they are current, relevant, and engaging.
• Assessment and Feedback: Marking assignments, conducting exams, providing constructive feedback on student performance, and setting academic standards.
• Research and Publication: Conducting scholarly research, publishing findings in academic journals, and attending conferences to remain at the forefront of their field.
• Student Support: Acting as a personal tutor, providing academic and pastoral support to students, and supporting academic progress.
• Administration: Participating in departmental meetings, committee work, and implementing quality compliance procedures.
• Community and Professional Service: Contributing to the community, such as acting as an external examiner or creating training courses.

Associate Lecturer: Universal Management Institute, 2017 - August 2018

The position involved delivering high-quality education through teaching, designing curricula, and assessing student work, while simultaneously conducting original research to advance their field. They also provide academic guidance to students, contribute to university administration, and engage in community outreach.

Key duties and Responsibilities:

• Teaching and Instruction: Delivering lectures, conducting seminars, organizing tutorials, and facilitating workshops or laboratory sessions.
• Curriculum Development: Designing, updating, and developing course materials to ensure they are current, relevant, and engaging.
• Assessment and Feedback: Marking assignments, conducting exams, providing constructive feedback on student performance, and setting academic standards.
• Research and Publication: Conducting scholarly research, publishing findings in academic journals, and attending conferences to remain at the forefront of their field.
• Student Support: Acting as a personal tutor, providing academic and pastoral support to students, and supporting academic progress.
• Administration: Participating in departmental meetings, committee work, and implementing quality compliance procedures.
• Community and Professional Service: Contributing to the community, such as acting as an external examiner or creating training courses.

Lecturer, International Science, Business and Technology University (ISBAT), 2016 - 2017

The position involved delivering high-quality education through teaching, designing curricula, and assessing student work, while simultaneously conducting original research to advance their field. They also provide academic guidance to students, contribute to university administration, and engage in community outreach.

 Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Teaching and Instruction: Delivering lectures, conducting seminars, organizing tutorials, and facilitating workshops or laboratory sessions.
• Curriculum Development: Designing, updating, and developing course materials to ensure they are current, relevant, and engaging.
• Assessment and Feedback: Marking assignments, conducting exams, providing constructive feedback on student performance, and setting academic standards.
• Research and Publication: Conducting scholarly research, publishing findings in academic journals, and attending conferences to remain at the forefront of their field.
• Student Support: Acting as a personal tutor, providing academic and pastoral support to students, and supporting academic progress.
• Administration: Participating in departmental meetings, committee work, and implementing quality compliance procedures.
• Community and Professional Service: Contributing to the community, such as acting as an external examiner or creating training courses.

Lecturer: Mount Kenya University (MKU), 2011 to 2016

The position involved delivering high-quality education through teaching, designing curricula, and assessing student work, while simultaneously conducting original research to advance their field. They also provide academic guidance to students, contribute to university administration, and engage in community outreach.

 Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Teaching and Instruction: Delivering lectures, conducting seminars, organizing tutorials, and facilitating workshops or laboratory sessions.
• Curriculum Development: Designing, updating, and developing course materials to ensure they are current, relevant, and engaging.
• Assessment and Feedback: Marking assignments, conducting exams, providing constructive feedback on student performance, and setting academic standards.
• Research and Publication: Conducting scholarly research, publishing findings in academic journals, and attending conferences to remain at the forefront of their field.
• Student Support: Acting as a personal tutor, providing academic and pastoral support to students, and supporting academic progress.
• Administration: Participating in departmental meetings, committee work, and implementing quality compliance procedures.
• Community and Professional Service: Contributing to the community, such as acting as an external examiner or creating training courses.

University Administrative Positions

Dean Graduate School: Universal Technology and Management University, July 2022 -  August 2023

The position involved senior administration by leading, developing, and overseeing all graduate-level academic programs. Key duties include managing admissions and academic policies, allocating assistantship funding, fostering program development, and ensuring high-quality research training.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop long-range planning for graduate education, including new program initiatives and ensuring alignment with the university's mission.
• Admissions & Enrolment: Oversee the graduate admissions process, recruitment strategies, and enrolment management in collaboration with other academic deans.
• Policy & Governance: Collaborate with the Graduate Council to set policies regarding curriculum, degree requirements, and academic standards.
• Student & Faculty Affairs: Oversee graduate assistantship (GA) allocation, address student grievances, and support faculty in mentoring, professional development, and securing fellowships.
• Administration & Budget: Manage the operational budget of the Graduate School and oversee assessment and accreditation activities to ensure quality control.
• External Representation: To serve as a key representative, promoting the university's research priorities and building partnerships.

Dean School of Humanities and Social Sciences: Universal Technology and Management University, July 2021 - August 2022

The position involved providing academic leadership, strategic planning, and administrative management for departments in the School of Humanities. In addition, management of budgets, oversight of faculty, hiring, development, leading curriculum innovation, and ensure high-quality teaching and research. They often serve as key administrators, promoting the school to internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Academic Leadership & Planning: Setting the vision for the school, developing new academic programs, and implementing policies for teaching and research excellence.
• Administrative Oversight: Managing the School’s budget, allocating resources, managing staff and faculty, and ensuring compliance with university policies.
• Faculty Development: Overseeing faculty recruitment, mentoring, evaluation, tenure, and promotion processes.
• Student Support: Overseeing student enrollment, academic advising, and addressing student issues within the humanities departments.
• External Relations: Representing the School of Humanities in fundraising, alumni engagement, and building community or professional partnerships.

Head of Department of Management: Uganda Technology and Management University, July 2020 - June 2021

The position involved acting as an academic leader and line manager responsible for directing, planning, and managing all departmental staff, resources, and activities. The key duties included enhancing teaching and research quality, overseeing curriculum development, managing budgets, ensuring student welfare, and facilitating staff performance and professional development.

Core Roles and Responsibilities:

• Academic Leadership: Providing a clear vision for the department, setting academic standards, overseeing research output, and managing curriculum development and quality assurance.
• Administrative & Financial Management: Managing the departmental budget, allocating resources, managing staff recruitment and training, and handling administrative compliance.
• Personnel Management: Motivating staff, conducting performance appraisals, supporting professional development, and maintaining a positive work environment.
• Student Support & Welfare: Resolving student issues, overseeing advising, ensuring high-quality student experience, and managing student recruitment.
• Representation & Strategic Alignment: Representing the department at faculty meetings, collaborating with internal/external stakeholders, and aligning departmental goals with university strategy.
• Discipline and Compliance: Maintaining discipline, enforcing university regulations, and ensuring safety standards are met within the department.

Assistant Director: Quality Assurance - Mount Kenya University 2013 - 2016

The position involved supporting the university to develop, implement, and monitor policies to ensure academic excellence and administrative compliance with national and international standards. Key duties include conducting internal audits, reviewing curricula, evaluating teaching and research quality, and preparing for accreditation to improve overall institutional performance.

Core Roles and Responsibilities:

• Policy Development and Compliance: Developing and enforcing quality assurance policies and frameworks. Ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies such as Commission of University Education and other government organs.
• Academic Monitoring and Evaluation: Reviewing curricula, monitoring teaching and learning, and auditing exams for quality control.
• Performance Improvement: Collecting and analysing data from student evaluations and staff performance reviews to inform decision-making.
• Accreditation and Audits: Coordinating internal and external quality audits, program reviews, and accreditation processes.
• Quality Culture Promotion: Training staff on quality management systems (QMS) and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Infrastructure and Service Oversight: Monitoring the quality of facilities and support services to meet stakeholder expectations. 
• Compliance with ISO Certification: Undertaking the supervision of the University Internal and external ISO 9001:2015 standards. In addition, build capacity of staff towards adherence to ISO standards in the University.

Coordinator Research and Development: Mount Kenya University, 2012 - 2014

The position involved facilitate research activities by bridging faculty with R&D centers, managing project funding applications, ensuring compliance with research protocols, and organizing technical events. They also maintain records of patents, projects, and MoUs, while promoting a research culture. 

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

• Research Administration & Support: Coordinating with faculty to initiate research activities, establishing R&D policies, and managing project timelines.
• Funding and Grant Management: Assisting faculty in applying for internal and external funding and facilitating the preparation of proposals.
• Compliance and Reporting: Ensuring research projects comply with ethical standards and institutional regulations.
• Records Management: Maintaining detailed records of sponsored projects, patents, training programs, and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
• Promotion of R&D Culture: Organizing seminars, webinars, research conferences, and identifying funding opportunities.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Overseeing data collection, analyzing project results, and producing reports on research output.
• Communication: Acting as the primary liaison between university administration, the R&D center, and faculty members.

Email: vc@utamu.ac.ug

Prof. Okoche John Michael Maxel CV