MMUST and the Kenya Council of Emergency Medical Trainers (KCEMT) agreed to work together towards promoting Paramedic Science program offered at the University. This was during a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony, held at the MMUST Nairobi Campus in Harambee House on 10th July 2018. Through the MoU, KCEMT is now a stakeholder in the MMUST programs including Bachelor of Paramedic Science as well as short courses offered by the University through the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedical Sciences (SONMAPS).
The university was represented by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eng. Fred Otieno, together with the Dean SONMAPS, Prof. Lt. Col. (Rtd) John Okoth, Lecturer and Researcher in Reproductive and Child Health, Dr. Tecla Sum, and the Nairobi Campus staff Mr. Norbert Borruett and Ms. Emily Kadikinyi. KCEMT was represented by the Secretary General Mr. Benjamin Mwangi and the Director General Ms. Eunice Kamau. Also present, was the Coordinator National Disaster Management Unit, Mr. Pius Masai. MMUST Nairobi Campus Coordinator, Mr. Peter Wawire, raised optimism in the MoU, saying “This collaboration with KCEMT presents the University with an exciting opportunity to diversify its products making it a unique brand in Kenya and beyond”.
MMUST Pushes for Acquisition of Modern Biology Concepts in Schools
MMUST has enhanced its efforts in imparting good attitude in science subjects among secondary school students. Various MMUST science experts have been on outreach missions in schools across the Western and Nyanza regions. In the field of biology, a young Biotechnology Scholar, Mr. Dennis Omayio, has been on a mission to promote emerging concepts in the biology field to help boost student interest in the subject. Mr. Omayio, an alumnus of the famous Alliance Boys High School, was on a mission in various schools in Siaya County, with a major stop over at St. Francis Rang’ala Girls Secondary School on 9th July 2018.
“Having students attain deeper understanding of biological concepts right from high school could enable them gain better understanding of highly technical courses such as Medicine and Biotechnology in the universities,” he said. He supports the ideals of Transformative Education that could help develop relevant biology curriculum content that could properly address problems in Africa. He further said that there have been rising cases of student unrest in many schools linked to unproductive academic practices, which even deny children ample social time and investment in extra-curricular activities.
His sentiments coincide with the upcoming World Conference on Transformative Education (WCTE) 2018, with the visionary theme “Rethinking, Curriculum, Pedagogy and Research in Africa” which will be hosted by MMUST on 26th-28th July 2018.