Lecturers’ perceptions towards the management style of the merged public higher learning institutions into University of Rwanda

Abstract

As of the year 2013, seven public higher learning institutions in Rwanda were merged into one university called University of Rwanda (UR) with apex specialized colleges. Since then, complaints about its management have been reported. The present study aimed at making a scientific investigation about lecturers’ perceptions. Convergent parallel design was chosen. Using simple random technique, from a target population of UR 1229 lecturers, the study sampled 121 lecturers who answered to the questionnaire survey. Besides, purposive sampling enabled to include 5 senior managers, i.e. 3 from colleges and 2 from university headquarters; and subject them for interview. The overall findings informed that lecturers are not satisfactorily involved in managerial and structural changes of UR. To avoid (i) any sort of misunderstanding of lecturers’ level of cooperation and (ii) ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the ongoing changes, this study recommends the institutionalization of a consultative/participative managerial style across UR.