MMUST Set to Enhance the Quality of Graduate Education and Research as It Launches 10-Week Postgraduate Supervisors’ Training

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has launched a 10-week postgraduate supervision training, aimed at enhancing the quality of its graduate education and research. The training, which was flagged-off on Wednesday, 24^th September, 2025 at the Golf Hotel Kakamega, will involve over ninety (90) academic staff from various Departments in the University. This initiative is being conducted by MMUST, in conjunction with the British Academy, the University of Southampton and the Nelson Mandela University. The launch was officially opened by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration and Finance)-Prof. John Kuria Thuo, who was representing the Vice Chancellor-Prof. Solomon Shibairo. Notably, among the participants were the First Lady of the County Government of Kakamega-Prof. Janet Kassilly Barasa, as well as the Chairperson of the MMUST Council’s Academic Committee-Dr. Kennedy Olung’o.

In his remarks, Prof. Thuo appreciated the Division of Planning, Research and Innovation for spearheading such a transformative initiative. He noted that graduate students are important in helping institutions of higher learning to boost their research portfolio, calling on supervisors to keep this in mind as they guide and mentor these scholars. “Despite the limited physical resources, MMUST has established an e-library, which helps its postgraduate students to gain access to research data banks. We are also at an advanced stage of setting up a Graduate Resource Center at the University, and we are optimistic that it will come to fruition,” he added.

A section of the participants during the launch.

According to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation)-Prof. Peter Bukhala, the programme will be running virtually every Wednesday until December, where it will culminate with an in-person review. “The strategic goal of this programme is to not only improve submission and completion rates of our postgraduate students, but also to enhance our research impact,” said Prof. Bukhala. He acknowledged that inasmuch as supervisors have vast experience in their fields, they need additional training and support in order to effectively address current challenges, whilst staying up to date with the complexity of their roles.

“Supervision of postgraduate students is a very important exercise, which we all need to take seriously. Remember, as supervisors, we are building researchers who will one day take over from us and lead the world of academia,” stated Prof. William Shivoga during the event. In his presentation, ‘Graduate Supervision Experience: Roles of Supervisor and Student’, the renowned Professor of Aquatic Ecology at MMUST emphasized that postgraduate supervision requires complex interactions between the supervisor and his or her student. He reminded the supervisors that their roles include guidance and support, oversight, skill transfer, mentorship and integration, as well as actively monitoring students’ progress. “Students on the other hand are expected to be active participants in their research, adhere to deadlines, remain professional and work collaboratively with their supervisors,” said Prof. Shivoga. He urged the University to develop clear policies that will help in monitoring and evaluation, saying that this will improve the quality of postgraduate supervision.

Prof. William Shivoga makes a presentation at the event.

Presenting on ‘From Guidance to Growth: Building Excellence in Graduate Supervision’, MMUST’s Prof. Mugatsia Tsingalia emphasized that an ideal graduate education should focus on student-centered excellence, supervisor commitment, institutional support and a collaborative environment. Prof. Tsingalia, who is also the Chairperson of the University Postgraduate Board Committee, highlighted some of the systemic challenges faced in the MMUST postgraduate training and what the institution is doing to address these problems. “At the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, we have developed reform initiatives, which cut across external examiner control, change control, expertise matching and student progress tracking. These reforms will ensure our supervision excellence and growth in MMUST’s reputation in graduate education,” revealed Prof. Tsingalia.

Notable attendees of the launch included the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs)-Prof. Hussein Golicha, Registrar (Academic Affairs)-Prof. Judah Ndiku, Registrar (Planning, Research and Innovation)-Dr. Collins Matemba, and Dr. Julie Reeves of the University of Southampton, who joined online.

Prof. Mugatsia Tsingalia addresses the participants.

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has remained committed to transforming its postgraduate training through enhancing its systems and processes. For the first time ever, supervisors at MMUST are undergoing an intensive training programme, which is evidence of the University’s efforts towards improving postgraduate completion rates and enhancing its research impact. The 10-week postgraduate supervisors’ training will certainly take the institution to the next level.