History and Background
The recreation and sports industry has evolved into a major sector for the global economy, presenting career and business opportunities. In 2014, the global sports industry had an estimated value of USD 600-700 billion, accounting for approximately 1 percent of global GDP. The sports industry comprises several segments, including sports infrastructure, sports events, training, media, goods manufacturing and retail. The business opportunities are far-reaching due to the industry’s close connection with other sectors within the global economy including education, media, real estate, infrastructure and recreation and sports industry. Globally, sports events had an estimated value of USD 80 billion in 2014, approximately 12 percent of the overall sports industry. This was expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.6 percent to reach a value of USD 90.9 billion by the end of 2017.Â
Although recreation and sports industry is a major foreign exchange earner in Kenya, the sector has lagged behind over the years due to policy, infrastructure and managerial inadequacies. These challenges can only be overcome through appropriate training and education. It was with this in mind that the Department of Recreation and Sports Management was established in 2003, but has been changing the name based on the school it is housed in; currently the Department of Recreation and Sports Management is in the School of Business Economics and Tourism.Â
The then Department of Recreation and management admitted its first students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in 2002/3. During that time, it had three (5) members of staff and relied heavily on part-time lecturers for the implementation of the programme. Currently the department has nine (9) members of academic staff.-
The department offers the following programmes: -
- Certificate in Sports Administration
- Diploma in Sport Administration
- Post Graduate Diploma in Sport Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sport ManagementÂ
- MSc. in Recreation and Sport Management
- PhD in Recreation and Sport ManagementÂ
Rationale
The Department of Recreation and Sport Management seeks to fill identified gaps in advanced training and education in the local and regional recreation and sports industry. There are very few institutions offering recreation and sports diplomas and degrees in East Africa, but there is an ever-increasing demand for further training and education as well as a need to expand the scope and aggregate capacity to meet future demand.
Vision
The vision of the Department of Recreation and Sports Management is to be a dynamic centre of professional excellence in recreation and sport industry management and research.
MissionÂ
The mission of the Department is to provide high quality professional instruction, research and community service in recreation and sports industry Management.
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- BSC (RECREATION, FITNESS AND SPORT MANAGEMENT) (CODE-H12)
- POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN SPORTS ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT (CODE – H67)
- MASTERS OF SCIENCE (RECREATION AND SPORTS MANAGEMENT) (CODE – H108)Â
- DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN RECREATION AND SPORTS MANAGEMENT (CODE-H87) Â Â Â
Teaching Staff
The department has a team of highly qualified and vibrant academic staff. They comprise of 1 Associate Professor, 5 Lecturers (4 of whom are PhD- holders and 1 Masters Holder), and 4 Tutorial Fellow.
Non-teaching Staff
1Out-door technician
1 secretary
1 office assistant
1 store clerk
4 Campsite attendants
RECREATION MANAGEMENT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE
In order to enhance collaborative activities in the areas of staff and students’ exchange, research, curriculum and community service, the department has established linkages with many other universities, institutions and organizations in several countries of the world. These include University of Manitoba and University of Ottawa (in Canada),West Virginia University (USA), Volda University (in Norway), Tshwane University of Technology and University of Pretoria, University of Cape Town and University of Johannesburg (in South Africa), University of Makerere and Kyambogo University (in Uganda), University of Dar-essalaam (in Tanzania) and many others in UK, USA and Germany. The existing linkage with Volda University has continued to enable the best two of our best undergraduate students to proceed to Norway (in the same University) on annual basis to complete their undergraduate courses there. The department also collaborates with the Kenya Medical Research Institute and other international organizations that include IAAF and FIFA.
The department utilizes several facilities for teaching and research purposes. An ultra-modern Human Performance Laboratory for use in research and teaching of physical fitness near completion. The available and well equipped gymnasium complex is used for teaching various practical courses. The university has an expansive field where all field related sports are taught. This includes Racket and Batting Games, Ball games and Athletics. In addition, the department utilizes the university swimming pool for teaching swimming lessons and other aquatic activities. In order to enhance the teaching of outdoor education and leadership, the department is in the process of developing a campsite within the university.
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Postgraduate Seminars are scheduled every last Thursday of the month
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Examination moderation meeting are held two weeks after the start of a new semester and determined by the main university academic calendar.
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Board of Examiners meeting is held two weeks after the completion of the examinations and also determined by the main university academic calendar.
