University of Jyvaskyla’s Dr. Susannah Otieno- Leppanen, during a courtesy call to the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Hussein Golicha.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology is set to be the Pioneer University in Africa to offer a Masters degree in Cognitive Neuroscience. On Friday 15th March 2024, the School of Education (SEDU) held a one-day workshop aimed at equipping its faculty members for the establishment of the program, which will be housed in the Department of Educational Psychology. The workshop was facilitated by the University of Jyvaskyla’s Dr. Susannah Otieno- Leppanen, an expert in the field of Cognitive Neuroscience.
Speaking during a courtesy call to his office, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Hussein Golicha affirmed his commitment to expediting the processes for enrolment of prospective students. He expressed enthusiasm for forging further collaborative ventures with the University of Jyvaskyla and extend the relations beyond SEDU.
A section of participants during the workshop.
The Dean SEDU. Prof. Moses Poipoi conveyed appreciation for the ongoing partnership between MMUST and the University of Jyvaskyla. Recognizing their pivotal role in the development of the program, he appealed to the University to fast track the process, emphasizing it’s potential to elevate MMUST’s global stature in science, technology, and innovation.
“Through the implementation of this program, MMUST will attract top talent and cultivate pioneering research in cognitive neuroscience in Kenya and beyond,” he stated.
The Director Curriculum Review and Development, Prof. Judah Ndiku (left); (Right), Dr. Pamela Buhere during the event.
Dr. Susannah Otieno- Leppanen further underscored the program’s global significance, highlighting its capacity to drive international recognition and collaboration for the University and its community. Additionally, she also stressed the importance of embracing technology and interdisciplinary approaches to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving field.
“Cognitive neuroscience is profoundly multidisciplinary, integrating insights and methodologies from a wide range of fields that enriches our understanding of the complexities of the brain and its role in cognition and behavior. It encompasses disciplines such as sports science, social emotional processing, computer science, and psychology among others, illustrating its broad scope and relevance beyond traditional learning paradigms,” she said. Further, she proposed the need for the University to work with a multidisciplinary cognitive neuroscience laboratory, where individuals will continually grow their expertise and explore their areas of interest, not limited to addressing learning difficulties.
Dr. Susannah Otieno- Leppanen from the University of Jyvaskyla making a presentation during the workshop.
Similarly, Dr. Edward Khasakala, the CoD- Educational Psychology emphasized the program’s potential for revenue generation, highlighting the utilization of cutting-edge equipment such as MRI, EEG, and eye tracking machines. He pointed out that the laboratory will help in identification and assessment of cognitive processing, saying that it will lead to more research activities in areas of learning disabilities, behavior assessment, and motor abilities.
“We will install MRI, EEG, and eye tracking machines in our cognitive neuroscience laboratory. The interdisciplinary nature of these resources will not only support research within and out of MMUST but also foster collaboration with other institutions in Africa and beyond,” he stressed.
Dr. Edward Khasakala, the CoD- Educational Psychology addressing the participants.
As MMUST prepares to embark on this one-of-a-kind journey, it stands at the forefront of innovation and academic excellence in Africa. With its visionary leadership, dedicated faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities, MMUST is certainly positioned to shape the future of cognitive neuroscience and make lasting contributions to education and research on a global scale.
By Caren Nekesa
Photos by Wangari Wambugu
