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School of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences and Technology, MMUST, Reviews Bsc. Public Health Curriculum In Alignment With Public Health Officers and Technician Council (PHOTC)

SPHBS&T staff and PHOTC Council during the workshop.

The School of Public Health Biomedical Sciences and Technology has reviewed its BSc. Public Health curriculum to align it with the requirements of Public Health Officers and Technician Council (PHOTC). This was done in a workshop held on 5th ,6th and 7th  June 2023 at Golf hotel-Kakamega.  This workshop was organised by the Department of Public Health with the School’s Dean, Prof. Edwin Wamukoya on the forefront.

Registrar academics Prof. Thomas Sakwa, who represented the Vice chancellor Prof. Solomon Shibairo and the Deputy Vice chancellor, Prof. Hussein Golicha (Academic Affairs), assured the Council that the University will be able to administer and assess council exams.  

“As a University we are grateful that the council agreed to come and review the curriculum. Let us work together to ensure our students receive the best knowledge that is suitable for the modern job market, “he said.

The SPHBS&T Dean, Prof. Edwin Wamukoya, appreciated the Council, saying that it was the first meeting they have had in the School of Public Health related to curriculum design and implementation. “There is a need to review and implement some programmes that will be of great help to the students taking the Public Health course. This will enable them to have equal opportunities with others in various fields,” he stated.

He urged the council to consider some of the demands presented by the School so that its students can be accredited after graduating. Dean informed the workshop members that CBC had necessitated a change in the admission & grading system to align with the PHOTC guidelines.

Speaking at the workshop, SPHBS&T Chairperson, Dr. Maximilla Wanzala, informed the workshop that upgrading had already been approved by the Senate. However, challenges still exist between the University and PHOTC. She urged the Council to consider their grievances and work together to ensure that students taking BSc. Public Health have a brighter future.

SPHBST staff and PHOTC Council during the workshop2

Dr. William Kitagwa (Far left), Dr. Maximilla Wanzala (centre), Dr. Ronald Wanyama (centre), and Mr. Edwin Ambasu (Right) from CDH-Kakamega paying attention to the presentation.

PHOTC CEO, Mr. Aggrey Oriema pointed out that technical heads and mentors should have PhD qualification. He applauded the University for having a good infrastructural support system such as the highly equipped Engineering & Biotech lab that can support some of the Public Health units.  “The Training Needs Assessment Approaches (TNA) has put a lot of emphasis on CBC and is toying with the idea of assessment to be reviewed to 50/50 (Lecture/Practical),” he said.

SPHBST staff and PHOTC Council during the workshop3

The CEO of PHOTC, Mr. Aggrey Oriema and Mr. Thomas Maera (centre) following a presentation.

He advised that there were special requirements for regulated programs to have Technical heads, adding that when PHOTC was assessing, the technical head of the department had some weight.   PHOTC was available to support the University in organizing the Public Health department.

Further, Mr. Oriema said that CUE and PHOTC perform different functions where CUE regulates academic programs while PHOTC regulates the profession.  On his part, Dr. Kitagwa applauded MMUST for being a serious institution.  He attributed this to the fact that MMUST has set up a serious skills lab Procurement with some of the equipment, and has already done final renovation which is at an advanced stage. He said that the University has already purchased a standardized moisture tester. He was amazed that the institution has already employed 3 staff as supplementary lecturers.

Present at the workshop were: Ms. Tabitha Kwasira, Mr. Nicholas Makotsi, Mr. Ronald Wamalwa from MMUST; Mr. Thomas Maera from PHOTC as well as Mr. Anton. M. Ngaira and Mr. Edwin Ambasu from (CDH)-Kakamega.

With such partnerships, MMUST is set to produce graduates who are acceptable and suit the job market. This review is indeed a step in the right direction.

By; Ivy Alivitsa and Milicent Masitsa

Photos by; Shiundu Masafu

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