Pneumatological Role in Addressing Challenges Facing University Students: a Case of University of Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

University education is an important social and individual investment from which a nation’s economic, social, political and cultural development can be measured. Graduates are trained with an expectation that they will respond to the demands of national development by helping solve socio-economic, religious, cultural and political crises in the society. It is unfortunate however, that majority of these graduates cannot meet the above expectation due to existential issues and problems they encounter in their university life from entry as fresh men and women until their graduation. The present study examined Pneumatological role in addressing existential difficulties faced by university students. The above main goal was achieved by first, investigating the problems faced by contemporary university students then, establishing ways through which they address the concerns and finally examining Pneumatological roles in addressing life difficulties faced by university students. The main assumption, which the academic endeavor verified, was that Pneumatology indeed plays a crucial role in significantly attending to the ongoing problematic issues that university students are confronted with. To achieve the above objectives, the research was guided by three complementary theories namely; constructivism theory, social development theory and theory of Nexus Mysteriorum which is concerned with the interconnectedness of Christian mysteries. Case study research design was adopted where the University of Nairobi (UoN) has been justifiably chosen. Research was thus conducted in the six colleges of UoN where students and key university staff dealing with students’ welfare were sampled randomly and purposively. The emerging findings reveal that, in general, university students encounter diverse socio-ethical, academic, financial and religious upheavals in their university life. Furthermore, the work has established social interactions and supportive networks such as parents or guardians, supportive peer groups, role models, religious associations and university community as necessary in helping students confront the convolutions. Nevertheless, the present dissertation shows that some students confront the uncertainties in dehumanizing ways using emotion-focused mechanisms such as demonstrations/riots. Drawing from theological reflections and Biblical sources therefore, the undertaking shows that Pneumatology helps students to overcome their worries and anxieties victoriously. The Benevolent Force is universal and is thus not confined to the religious aspect nor to particular individuals only. The Spirit of God is at work even in the secular aspects luring human beings towards the will of the Creator. There is need therefore to overcome relativism, parochialism and ecclesiasticism of confining the Holy Spirit to Christians alone. It calls on other world religions to identify, reflect and utilize related forces in view of the subject opted for. The study further informs academics and researchers on the issues affecting contemporary university students and hence the need to dispose them adequately to the various support systems which would enhance objective decision making. It further enlightens various stakeholders concerned with higher education on the importance of strengthening existing students’ support services as well as devising new ways to help students cope better with or confront life problems positively. In addition, it draws students to the realization that though university life presents challenging and distressing situations, it is a time when they should grow and develop themselves on the whole.

A MAP SHOWING KENYA AND COUNTY BOUNDARIES Source: Google Maps .......................................... A MAP SHOWING NAIROBI COUNTY AND ITS ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES Source: Google Maps University of Nairobi; Main Campus ................................................... A MAP SHOWING THE COLLEGES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI KEY: 1. College of Humanities and Social Sciences; 2. College of Biological and Physical Sciences; 3. College of Education and External Studies; 4. College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences; 5. College of Architecture and Engineering; 6. College of Health Sciences. Source: Google Maps..............................................................