MMUST Shines as a Training Hub for World-Class Optometrists
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) continues to shine as a premier institution for training highly skilled Optometrists, with a strong focus on practical experience, global competitiveness, and community service.
According to the Chairperson of the Optometry Department- Dr. Julius Rono, the MMUST is committed to train professionals who are not only knowledgeable but also ethically grounded and globally competent. “Our students are well prepared for the real-world eye care challenge. We organize regular outreach and vision screening programs, giving them firsthand experience,” Dr. Rono said. He applauded MMUST’s growing reputation, stating that a number of our Optometrists secure employment even before graduating.
He highlighted the University’s strategic collaborations with hospitals and NGOs, which offer students an immersive clinical experience while addressing the growing need for quality eye care across Kenya. He further added that MMUST is the most equipped University in terms of facilities adding that the University has invested in modern equipment such as auto-refractors, slit lamps, and ophthalmoscopes to give students a true clinical experience. This prepares them to handle patients confidently even before they graduate. He also revealed that the University is preparing to launch a Doctorate in Optometry, with the curriculum already developed.
Dr. Alfred Rogot during an interview with the DCCM team.
Echoing Dr. Rono’s sentiments, Dr. Alfred Rogot emphasized MMUST’s uniqueness, noting that only two universities in Kenya offer Optometry. “Our program runs for five years, unlike in other countries. Our laboratories are equipped with modern equipment, offering students the best possible clinical training,” he explained.
Dr. Rogot underscored the importance of the University’s “silent trimester,” a unique period dedicated exclusively to practical training. During this period, the Fifth-year students attend to patients at the University’s eye clinic, second-years observe what happens in the eye clinic while third-years attend workshops to learn glazing, lens cutting, and fitting. This hands-on structure helps bridge the gap between theory and practice.
A section of the Fifth year Optometry students at the University Eye Clinic.
Glifon Cheriot, a fifth-year Optometry student who is currently practicing at the university’s eye care unit, said that for many students, pursuing Optometry at MMUST is more than just earning a degree, it is a journey of transformation. “From state-of-the-art facilities to community engagement and mentorship from experienced lecturers, MMUST is nurturing a new generation of eye care professionals ready to change the world. Our learning goes far beyond theory and lectures, we are exposed to actual clinical environments from an early stage, which sharpens our confidence and skills,” he added
Optometry students during their practical learning.
Undoubtedly, MMUST is not just training optometrists, it is shaping compassionate, skilled, and globally competitive eye care professionals. Through a combination of advanced facilities, strategic partnerships, community outreach, and a practical-centered curriculum, MMUST stands at the forefront of Optometry training in Kenya.
By Agnes Joy and David Paul Mwongela
