Tutorial Fellow, School Of Computing & Informatics- Nairobi Campus

How to Apply: Visit the Mount Kenya University recruitment portal at recruitment.mku.ac.ke to submit your application.

Prove Your Classroom and Code Credentials Before the Panel Meets You

Tutorial Fellow roles at MKU sit at the intersection of teaching and active research, so the hiring panel screens for two things at once: can you stand in front of a lecture hall, and can you build real software? Your application needs to show both without making them guess.

1. Lead with your teaching record: The posting asks for at least two years of teaching experience in higher learning, so put that front and centre on your CV. List the specific courses you taught, the levels (diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate), and the class sizes you handled. If you prepared course outlines or developed learning content, say so explicitly. A panel reviewing a Tutorial Fellow application wants to see that you have already done the work, not just that you understand the subject.

2. Show your PhD registration status: MKU expects Tutorial Fellows to have registered for a PhD in the relevant discipline. If you are already registered, state your university, department, and expected completion timeline clearly in your cover letter. If you are in the process of applying, mention that too. This is not a minor detail; it signals that you are on an academic growth path and understand the promotion structure of a university career.

3. Build a portfolio of your programming skills: The requirements list object-oriented programming, web development, AI, mobile applications, data analytics, and cyber security. Do not just list these as keywords. Prepare a short portfolio or GitHub link showing projects you have built or supervised. If you taught a web development unit, describe the stack you used and the projects students completed. Hiring panels for computing departments are wary of candidates who can talk theory but cannot demonstrate hands-on ability.

4. Prepare a sample lecture outline: Since the role involves preparing course outlines and developing learning content, bring a one-page sample outline for a unit you could teach, such as Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming or Data Analytics. This shows you understand curriculum design, not just delivery. It also gives the panel something concrete to discuss during the interview, which shifts the conversation from your CV to your actual teaching approach.

5. Map your research to MKU's interests: The posting mentions carrying out research, preparing publications, and attracting funding. Before the interview, look up recent publications from MKU's School of Computing and Informatics. Identify one or two areas where your research interests overlap, and be ready to explain how you would contribute. If you have published before, bring copies of your papers. If you have not, outline a realistic research plan for your first year.

6. Rehearse the supervision question: You will be expected to supervise student projects and attend defense meetings. Think about how you would guide a student from proposal to final defense. What milestones would you set? How would you handle a student who is falling behind? The panel may ask for a specific example, so have a story ready about a project you supervised or a research paper you guided, even if it was during your master's programme.

7. Address the professional body registration: The posting says you should be registered by the relevant professional body where applicable. If you are registered with a body like the Computer Society of Kenya or a similar organisation, include your registration number and status. If registration is not applicable to your situation, briefly explain why in your cover letter. This prevents the panel from assuming you overlooked a requirement.

8. Show you understand university administration: The role includes monitoring class attendance, participating in official meetings, and handling administrative duties. In your interview, mention any experience you have with record-keeping, exam administration, or committee work. Even small examples, like coordinating a departmental event or managing a course's attendance records, demonstrate that you can handle the non-teaching side of the job. Universities value Tutorial Fellows who are reliable with paperwork and deadlines.