MMUST’s Innovation Academy has attracted recognition and support from the University of Oulu in Finland, who are keen to support MMUST innovators with raw materials for developing prototypes. This comes at a time when the University has also been nominated to participate in the upcoming Presidential Innovation Challenge and Award Pitching Festival set to take place from 17th to 21st March, 2025 at the Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas, Naivasha.
On Monday 10th March, 2025, Dr. Markus Karttunen, Head of the College of Health Sciences at Oulu University of Applied Sciences, and Ms. Virpi Mäkikangas, Senior Lecturer at the institution, visited MMUST under the Erasmus+ Exchange Programme. This program is hinged on an existing memorandum of understanding between MMUST and the University of Oulu. Led by the Director of the MMUST Science Park, Innovation, and Incubation Centre, Dr. Tecla Sum, they paid a courtesy call to MMUST’s Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor for Planning, Research, and Innovation, Prof. Peter Bukhala.
Ag. DVC PR&I, Prof. Peter Bukhala (left) keenly listens to participants during the courtesy call.
Speaking during the courtesy call, Prof. Peter Bukhala encouraged both institutions to actively pursue collaborative research alongside other activities outlined in the MoU. He emphasized that meaningful research partnerships enhance academic excellence and help address real-world challenges, particularly in healthcare, technology, and innovation. “By leveraging each other’s expertise and experiences from either country, you can strengthen your research outputs, secure more competitive grants, and develop innovative solutions that address local and global issues,” said Prof. Bukhala.
The Director Science Park, Innovation, and Incubation Centre, Dr. Tecla Sum makes a point during the courtesy call at the Ag. DVC PR&I.
Later in the week, on 12th March 2025, the duo joined MMUST innovators in a dynamic pitching session at the university’s Innovation Academy where they were treated to a showcase of MMUST’s cutting-edge innovations. Together with the MMUST team, they engaged in a peer-learning session involving critique of key innovations being prepared for the prestigious Presidential Innovation Challenge and Award Pitching competitions. The session provided an opportunity for the Finnish delegation to witness firsthand the creativity, technical expertise, and problem-solving capabilities of MMUST’s innovators.
“We are not limited by geographical location, we have demonstrated that we have the potential to attract international recognition and partners when it comes to matters of top-notch innovations,” stated Dr. Sum. She further noted that while medical equipment and technology are essential, soft skills such as effective communication, empathy, and holistic patient care are just as vital in healthcare, since resources alone cannot save a patient.
The University of OULU team follows a demonstration of one of MMUST’s innovation.
Echoing this, Dr. Markus Karttunen shared insights from pre-exchange discussions with Kenyan students, where many initially cited resource constraints as the primary challenge in healthcare but later shifted perspectives regarding the importance of soft skills in delivering quality patient care. He applauded the MMUST-OULU exchange program for fostering resilience, adaptability, and a strong work ethic among students, equipping them for success in diverse healthcare environments.
During the showcase of MMUST’s cutting-edge innovations organized by Dr. Sum, there emerged some outstanding innovations by Mr. Kefa Ogenche and Ms. Teresia Nyandoro, which earned them appointments for the prestigious Presidential Innovation Challenge and Pitching Award Festival. Dr. Karttunen and Ms. Mäkikangas commended the ingenuity and impact-driven approach of the projects, stressing the importance of fostering innovation through cross-institutional collaborations and mentorship.
Ms. Wangeci Kinga, a MMUST student, showcases an innovation. Looking on are Dr. Collins Odoyo (Associate Dean- SCI), Dr. Tecla Sum, and the University of Oulu team.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, and the University of Oulu have had 13 years of collaboration that have yielded great benefits for both institutions. Notably, over 37 students have gained from the exchange program. MMUST’s dedication to producing graduates who can work anywhere in the world through this programme, will expose its staff and students to teaching and learning methodologies that will qualify them to compete in the global marketplace!
By Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Caren Nekesa
Photos by Arnold Amwoga.
