Experiential and professional reflections on the conduct of viva voce in universities in Uganda

Abstract

Despite increased attention given to viva voce in graduate training, few studies have been undertaken in this area. The current study sought to provide experiential and professional reflections on the conduct of viva voce in universities in Uganda. Using data collected from 85 students on doctoral study programmes in College of Education and External Studies(CEES), and Faculty of Education at Makerere and Kyambogo universities respectively, it was found out that majority of respondents had favorable perceptions on many aspects regarding how viva voce events were being conducted in their respective universities. However, of a particular concern, most of the respondents were not aware of how the panelists were selected and appointed to conduct viva voce. The conclusions drawn from study findings have many implications for practice and policies to guide both candidates and panelists at viva voce. Consequently, it was specifically recommended that panelists should make every effort to ensure that their conduct is above reproach in the view of being reasonable, fair-minded and informed persons when conducting viva voce; while the candidates, on the other hand, are commended to submission of well researched and written work, making adequate preparations, behaving in a positive and constructive way, and presenting themselves with clarity, authority, modesty, argument, evidence, intelligence and wit during viva voce.