‘We commend the University’s development projects so far,’ Council
“MMUST is a rising academic and research giant that is actaulizing its potential”. This was the assertion by the University Council Chairman, Dr. Jeremy Bundi, during excursions to MMUST development projects in Busia, Bungoma and Vihiga counties, between 17th and 18th March 2018. Dr. Bundi noted that MMUST has invested a lot of resources towards bringing higher education and research closer to the people.
While at Ebunangwe in Vihiga County, Dr. Bundi commended the model farm project and observed on the need to upscaling food processing activities and marketing. Currently, MMUST through innovations of the Nutritional Scientist Prof. Asenath Sigot produces certified MMUSTMUG Porridge from mushroom, sweetpotato and millet; and MMUSTMUG Spirulina capsules. In Budalang’i, Dr. Bundi said of the campus facility, “This is wonderful infrastructure and lays a foundation for the upcoming MMUST campus.”
Budalang’i Campus was established through funds from the World Bank and the Ministry of Devolution and Planning through the Directorate of Special Programmes, with concerted support from local leadership through Community Development Fund (CDF), scholars and well wishers from the community. This MMUST-World Bank project was an initiative of the School of Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA) under the leadership of Prof. Silvery B. Oteng’i. The Campus sits on the land that was previously used as an evacuation centre for people displaced by floods from River Nzoia that pours into Lake Victoria.
At Butula Campus in Busia County, Dr. Bundi praised the large modern investment in the rural, driven by an ambitious and hardworking community yearning for higher education. The Deputy Governor H.E. Moses Mulomi who was present, committed to support higher education projects by MMUST, and move towards enhancing capacity for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Busia County. In a rejoinder, former Member of Parliament and distinguished scholar Prof. Christine Mango, who is among MMUST founders and is also a founder of the new Butula Campus said, “Only education gives us hope, but it is very expensive when people are subjected to study far away from home”. Partly for this reason, Prof Mango noted, a university campus is an industry that needs to be supported for socio-economic growth.
In Bungoma and Webuye campuses, Dr. Bundi appreciated the work of the University Management for the focused investment that had improved infrastucture and transformend the two campuses towards accreditation as modern academic facilities. He proposed the tailoring of entrepreneurial courses towards satisfying the needs of the local communities and markets. He emphasized the need for TVET programmes that are sources of innovation and wealth, citing M-PESA and VIUSASA apps as examples of creative products of Kenyan youth. He also said that extension of higher education and TVET programmes could help stem out societal vices such as alcoholism and drug abuse.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Eng. Fredrick Otieno was optimistic that the progressive support by the Council has been steadily transforming MMUST as a global player. “Under my leadership, we expect to work hard and observe honesty in achieving sustainable growth of MMUST,” said Prof. Otieno. Other Members of MMUST Council present included Mr. Don R.O. Riaro, Dr. Samson Muchelule, Ms. Joyce M. Nderitu, Ms. Vayonda J. Sirma-Koross, Mr. Kosiom F. Kibelekenya, Ms. Dorothy Kimeu and Mr. David Watene.
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