MMUST’S PARTERNSHIP WITH NORWEGIAN AGENCY FOR EXCHANGE COOPERATION (NOREC) SET TO STRENGTHEN TEACHING AND LEARNING OF OPTOMETRY AND VISION SCIENCES IN KENYA.

MMUST’s partnership with Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (NOREC) is set to strengthen the teaching and learning of Optometry and Vision Sciences in Kenya. This was evident during the workshop held yesterday, 9^th June, 2022 at the Main Catering Unit (MCU) Boardroom which was organized by Chairperson of the Department (CoD) Optometry, Dr. Christine Wanjala.

Speaking during the event, the Director Quality Assurance, Prof. Danstone Baraza who was also representing the DVC Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), Prof. Hussein Golicha, acknowledged that partnership with NOREC is of great impact on staff, students and the community. He outlined the objectives of the partnership, adding that it would improve clinical teaching, strengthen professional disposition development among students and enable recognition of MMUST as a trendsetter in optometry education in Africa and other parts of the globe. In addition, he pointed out that the collaboration would improve faculty competence in clinical teaching and e- learning. The partnership has also helped in acquisition of scholarships by participants.

MMUST LED DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING AT iHELP CENTRES CHAMPIONS FOR INCLUSIVITY IN UPBRINGING OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH DISABILITIES

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) is championing inclusivity in upbringing of children living with disabilities through disability awareness training at iHELP centres in Kakamega County.  On 7^th June, 2022, the iHELP project Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Rose Opiyo, who is also a Senior Lecturer at MMUST, conducted a disability awareness training at Cardinal Centre in Idakho Central. The training was aimed at sensitizing the community, caregivers and mothers on the importance of inclusivity in raising Children Living with Disabilities.

MMUST DIRECTORATE OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES REVIEWS ITS POLICIES IN TANDEM WITH CUE REQUIREMENTS AND GLOBAL BEST PRACTICE

The Directorate of Postgraduate Studies (DPS) at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has reviewed its policies in tandem with Commission for University Education (CUE) requirements and global best practice. The Directorate held a two-day workshop themed ‘Re-defining the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies’ at Golf hotel Kakamega from Monday 6^th to Tuesday 7^th June, 2022.

NSSF STEPS UP SENSITIZATION INITIATIVE TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF ITS PRODUCTS AT MMUST

We are delighted to inform you that today 10^th June 2022, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) team led by the Branch Manager, Ms. Vicky Owaki Webuye and Regional Accountant Dr. Alube Stanley of Kisumu branch visited MMUST.

The visit was aimed at sensitizing MMUST staff on NSSF products, savings, to keep track of staff contributions and inform them of the Voluntary top up which is in accordance with the NSSF Act of 2013 no. 45. The NSSF team paid a courtesy call to the Deputy Vice Chancellor Planning Research and Innovation, Prof. Charles Mutai (represented by the Director Science Park Innovation and Incubation Centre (SPIIC), Prof. John Muoma).

We encourage staff to visit the tent next to the library to get informed about NSSF and secure their future.Attached, please find photos showing some of the action.

MMUST DEVELOPS PIONEER COURSE IN BIOSAFETY AND BIOSECURITY

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) is developing a new undergraduate program ‘Bachelor of Science in Biosafety and Biosecurity,’ the only one of its kind in Kenya and beyond. This is in collaboration with the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA) and technical expertise from the University of British Columbia’s Department of Safety and Risk Service. The move towards the pioneer course in Biosafety and Biosecurity was discussed extensively at the two-day Curriculum Review Workshop organized by MMUST’s Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) Department on 2nd and 3rd June 2022, at Golf Hotel, Kakamega.

VICE CHANCELLOR PROF. SOLOMON SHIBAIRO LEADS MMUST DELEGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2022 PRESIDENT'S AWARD-KENYA CELEBRATIONS AT STATEHOUSE

MMUST’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo on 13^th May, 2022 led MMUST delegation to participate in the 2022 President's Award-Kenya celebrations at statehouse. He was accompanied by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics and Students Affairs, Prof. Hussein Golicha and MMUST’s Professor of Nutritional Sciences Prof. Asenath Sigot. The ceremony was presided over by His Excellency Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of the Republic of Kenya and the Patron of the Presidential Award Kenya.

PS HIGHER EDUCATION AMB. SIMON NABUKWESI IMPRESSED BY BUTULA CENTRE PREPAREDNESS FOR OFFICIAL RECOGNITION BY CUE

The Principal Secretary University Education and Research, Amb. Simon Nabukwesi has expressed satisfaction with Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s Butula centre preparedness for official recognition by Commission for University Education (CUE). On 30^th May 2022, the PS inspected Butula Centre to ascertain its level of preparedness for legal recognition. He commended the area MP, Hon. Joseph Oyula, Prof. John Shiundu, and Prof. Christine Mango for initiating the establishment of the centre and spearheading the latest infrastructural developments.

“Let us complement the brilliant ideas by the two professors and the sitting MP. The journey to accredit Butula must begin immediately. Butula must become the dream institution that the initiators had in mind. You meet the requirements for upgrading this institution,” he stated.

LET US ENSURE THAT OUR SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION SYSTEMS ARE EMBEDDED IN PROPER SOILS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, RESEARCHERS ADVISE

Researchers have advised participants at the ongoing 15^th Multi-Disciplinary International Virtual Conference that the region must ensure that sustainable food production systems are embedded in proper soils management practices. These are some of the key issues discussed by Prof. Ratemo Michieka, the former VC, JKUAT and Prof. Kimutai Some, the former VC, Moi University and Chief Executive Officer of Commission for University Education (CUE). The Conference was jointly supported by Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), Equity Bank Kenya and Konza Technopolis.