SEDU-CADFP Workshop participants at Bishop Nicolas Stam Pastoral and Animation Centre, Kakamega.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s School of Education (SEDU) has advocated community engagement in research, and discussed redesigning its academic programmes to enhance teaching and learning. This was during a one-day Workshop, facilitated by Carnegie Diaspora Fellows, which took place at Bishop Nicolas Stam Pastoral and Animation Centre on Tuesday, 25th July, 2023. The Carnegie Fellows were, University of North Dakota’s Prof. Grace Keengwe and MMUST’s Dr. Rose Opiyo.
The Dean School of Business and Economics (SOBE), Prof. Robert Egesa, who was standing in for the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo, commended SEDU for taking the lead in conducting community-engaged research. “By engaging the community, researchers get a feel of what the people want, and therefore it becomes easier to address societal challenges. As we discuss this, let us also focus on undertaking multi-disciplinary research, as well as creating meaningful partnerships,” said the Ag. Vice Chancellor.
“Community outreach is very important, yet it is an area that has not been explored properly,” stated Prof. Benedict Alala, representing the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Charles Mutai. Prof. Alala pointed out that teaching and learning is a key component in any institution of higher learning, and reiterated that there is a need for researchers to create more linkages. He also encouraged scholars to get into emerging issues in research, where he said that there is a lot of interest in funding. “As the incoming Director-AIDS Control, Gender and Disability Mainstreaming, I look forward to impacting the community by partnering with SEDU, especially the Department of Educational Psychology,” he added.
Prof. Robert Egesa gives his remarks at the Workshop.
In his remarks, Dean SEDU-Prof. Moses Poipoi, noted that the School, in conjunction with other scholars and organizations, has engaged in a number of outreach activities within and outside the County Government of Kakamega. “Our curriculum has been reviewed to include aspects of research, community engagement, and equipping students with 21st century skills,” stated Prof. Poipoi. Further, he echoed that researchers should focus on developing areas such as the Kenya higher education funding model, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Universities’ preparedness for Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). “A serious discussion around these areas will be vital in re-engineering our academic programmes for quality research and community engagement,” said the Dean.
“Community engagement is one of the core mandates of a University, hence it is important to incorporate it into our programmes,” said the Carnegie Diaspora host Fellow, Dr. Rose Opiyo. The educationist, who has recently been appointed as the Coordinator-Strategic Planning in MMUST, emphasized the need to introduce the community service learning component into academic programmes, saying that this will enable learners to gain hands-on skills. Similarly, Prof. Grace Keengwe, while giving the keynote address, pointed out that researchers should give back to the community, adding that scholars ought to carry out research that translates into practice. “As researchers, we need to do much more with the community, and ensure that we package our findings in a manner that will be understood by the public,” stated the associate professor.
Carnegie Diaspora Fellow, Dr. Rose Opiyo, during the Workshop.
The outgoing Director of Research and Postgraduate Support (DRPS), Prof. Peter Bukhala, urged scholars to upscale their research and generate useful outcomes. He restated that the Government has changed the Universities’ funding model, and that now, more than ever Schools should gear towards attracting research funding. He asked researchers to continue working with DRPS, and to support the Directorate of Privately Sponsored Students Program (PSSP), where he is currently stationed. Prof. Bukhala has been succeeded by Prof. Francis Orata, who was also present at the Workshop.
“Research and community engagement is crucial to solving complex social, economic and environmental problems,” stated the Chairperson-Department of Educational Psychology, Dr. Khasakhala Edward Okaya. In his presentation, Dr. Okaya mentioned the current community engagements in SEDU, including, the Neurwell Care Classroom Intervention, the Sickle Cell Anaemia project, the iHELP project in Ikolomani, as well as the establishment of a Neuroscience Masters programme.
A section of the Workshop participants follows keenly.
In another presentation, Dr. James Bill Ouda, a senior lecturer in the Department of Educational Psychology, noted that documentation of community engagements is a major challenge and that there is a need to bridge this gap. “All community engagements, whether formal or informal, are significant,” he stated, adding that research that is conducted by students must also include the aspect of community engagement. The third presentation was from Ms. Grace Bakesia, a tutorial fellow in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedical Sciences (SONMAPS), who discussed the community-based initiatives in her School.
Researchers at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology have continued to showcase their willingness to involve the community in their activities. This Workshop was indeed an eye-opener for researchers, especially regarding the benefits of community-based participatory research.
Photos by Linet Owuor
