Overview/background
In the year 2002 the University set up a Planning Unit to guide planning activities in the institution. After
nine years of existence of the University, the Directorate of Planning and Development (DPD) was
established by the University Council in recognition of the fact that the Directorate plays a critical role in
guiding systematic planning for development.
The DPD is headed by a Chief, Planning and Development, who is a top manager of the University with
extensive experience in planning and management. The DPD also has a number of other staff members,
including Principal Planning officer, Senior Planning officer, Statistician and administrators. Read More
1. Vision, Mission and Goals.
Vision
To be a world-class University planning entity that is recognized for leadership and planning support.
Mission
To provide planning and budgeting, coordination of Planning support services and performance
monitoring to university units and departments.
Goals
To steer the University into a systematic planning process and coordinate all planning activities
in the University.
To initiate the preparation and production of short, medium and long-term plans of the university,
formulate strategic goals and coordinate the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of plans.
To determine the University’s budget priorities and deliverables.
To initiate resource mobilization and marketing strategies.
To coordinate all development projects (local and donor funded) as well as monitor the
implementation of all programmes and projects.
To regularly review the university’s operations and activities against the set objectives.
2. Structure of the Directorate of Planning and Development
The Directorate of Planning and Development has two main sections; Planning and Budgeting Section
and Development and Projects Section.
The Planning and Budgeting section is responsible for coordinating and spearheading development
planning and budgeting at Units/Departments, cost-centers and consolidation of the University plans.
Key functions of this section include;
(i) Statistical Information gathering, analysis and storage
(ii) Development of annual operational plans, Strategic Plans and the long-term vision of the university
(iii) Review of performance of the annual operational and mid-term plans of the University
The Development and Projects section of the directorate is responsible for the coordination of the special
and infrastructure development of the university and development of policy guidelines for the
management of partnerships. Key functions of this section include:
(i) Development of land use plans for the university,
(ii) Project development for inclusion in the national Physical Investment Plans,
(iii) Business plan development and
(iv) Collaborative linkages with internal and external development partners
3. Message from the Head – Directorate, Planning and Development.
The Directorate of Planning and Development is committed to providing strategic leadership and
planning support to Gulu University in order to ensure its continued growth and development. We believe
that strategic planning is essential for any organization that wants to be successful, and we are dedicated
to support the university achieve its mission, goals and objectives.
We are a team of experienced and dedicated professionals who are passionate about planning and
development. We have a deep understanding of the university's needs and challenges, and we are
committed to working with the faculties, institutes, and departments as well as other stakeholders to
develop and implement plans that will help the university to realize its dreams.
We believe that the future of Gulu University is bright, and we are excited to be a part of its journey. We
are confident that, through strategic planning and development partnership, the university will continue to
grow and thrive in the years to come.
4. Services provided
(a) Academic Focus
Appraisal of new and on-going academic programmes and Market analysis Assessment of internal and external efficiencies Rationalization of establishments in academic departments This includes academic programmes assessment for viability and their potential external efficiency, thereby involving both theoretical and practical market analysis for appraising new programmes for launching. The Directorate contributes to the control of duplication of programmes and courses through reviewing new programmes assessing their recurrent implications. Assessment of pass and failure rates and examination retakes Academic Planning also involves determination of optimality for all departments in terms of establishment posts and other physical resource needs such as teaching and practical workspace. It will make sure that all academic units adhere to the enrolment ceilings.
(b) Physical planning
The physical facilities planning is coordinated and guided by the Directorate of Planning and
Development in liaison with the Estates section of the University. It is the responsibility of the Directorate
of Planning and Development to ensure that all physical developments are implemented according to
plan.
(c) Statistical Information gathering and storage
For any meaningful planning there must be a basis and this basis is the baseline information. As the
University sets to do academic and institutional development planning, it is imperative that data must be
collected, processed, analyzed, stored and maintained and constantly updated.
The Directorate is responsible for data collection and creation of a central database. It ensures that
information flowing in from all academic units is collated, processed, stored and distributed to
management in a form that can guide quick decision-making. There is therefore a designated desk for the
data management function, which contributes to university’s Management Information System
(d) Performance Reviews
It is necessary for the University to regularly review its operations and activities against the set objectives.
This review involves monitoring and evaluation of all the plans implemented. The Directorate of Planning and Development is responsible for leading the production of the University’s Annual reports with a view of reporting the extent of achievements, challenges vis a viz the set strategic goals and objectives, and devising new strategies for performance improvement.
e) Secretariat to the Planning and Development Committee of Council
The Directorate of Planning and Development in conjunction with the University Secretary’s Office is secretariat to the Planning and Development Committee of Council. This includes generating business for the committee, taking follow-up actions and compiling reports.
f) Essential documents for supporting decision making
Preparation of policy documents, Strategic development frameworks, and various planning guidelines.
