The IHELP Principal Investigator, Dr. Rose Opiyo tackled key aspects of Child Protection and Safety as well as Disability Inclusion as she conducted a two-day extensive training for caregivers. This training was held on 28^th and 29^th September 2022 at Cardinal Center which is one of the four IHELP centers that have been established in Ikolomani Sub-County. The training facilitators were Nutrition Expert, Ms. Martina Adega and the project’s Consultant in matters of Inclusive Education, Dr. Elizabeth Mabele.

The Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s Mathematics and Statistics Students Association (MSSA) has been urged to lead by example with regard to demystifying mathematics as well as popularizing the subject. This was during the Association’s leadership handover ceremony which took place yesterday, 29^th September, 2022. The ceremony was officiated by the group’s patron, Dr. Annette W. Okoth.

Speaking during the event, Prof. George O. Lawi, who was representing the Dean School of Natural Sciences (SONAS), Dr. Joseph Owino, stated that MSSA members should take lead in demystifying mathematics and popularizing the subject. “Math is applied in nearly all disciplines and therefore mathematicians should be at the forefront of driving change in society,” said Prof. Lawi. Subsequently, he emphasized on the aspect of networking, saying that students should use the Association to find opportunities.

Prof. George Lawi gives his remarks during the ceremony.

Dr. Okoth urged the new leadership to serve with integrity and to work together for the growth of the Association. “Plans are underway to formally launch MSSA. We are also in the process of preparing the constitution, followed by the strategic plan,” she stated. Further, the lecturer of statistics (Department of Mathematics) reiterated that students should use the group as a platform for networking and assured the Association of the Department’s support.

“Statistics and mathematics are very critical in our daily lives. As a Department, we are here to guide and mentor you so that you become change makers,” said senior lecturer of mathematics, Dr. Michael Ojiema, who was also representing the Chairperson of the Mathematics Department, Dr. Achilles Simiyu.

A section of the students follows keenly during the handover ceremony.

Mr. Robert Keli, an assistant lecturer, said that he was grateful that the Department houses such a significant group. Mr. Keli advised the students to go out of their way to expand knowledge. “I always insist that students should take advantage of the free internet and materials that have been provided by the University to access knowledge,” he stated, adding that there is a need for MSSA members to be aggressive in marketing the Association.

Other members of MMUST staff present during the handover ceremony were; Dr. Mbete A. Drinold, Dr. Frankline Tireito, Dr. Wanambisi Aldrin, Ms. Mary Okombo and Mr. Charles Wachira.

By Mary Wangari Wambugu and Verna Kungu 

Photos by Mary Wangari Wambugu

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s staff and students from the Department of Language and Literature Education (LLE) have taken part in a Leverhulme Trust-funded research project which seeks to explore grammatical variation in the Swahili language. On Wednesday, 28^th September, 2022, the LLE Department hosted the project’s research assistants for a seminar at the University, where they interviewed a selected number of MMUST students. The assistants were Mr. Tom Jelpke of the University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies-SOAS), and Ms. Merceline Ochieng and Ms. Annah Kariuki of Kenyatta University.

Deutsche Welle (DW) Akademie Project Manager, Dr. Almuth Schellpeper’s visit to 103.9 MMUST FM is set to strengthen collaboration between MMUST FM and DW Akademie. This was revealed during her visit on Tuesday, 27th September, 2022.  The joint meeting organized by the MMUST FM studio supervisor, Ms. Lilian Mukoche, took place at the DVC Planning, Research and Innovation, Prof. Charles Mutai’s office followed by an interactive session with the station presenters at ECA 101. The two media stations have had a productive collaboration and linkages in offering support to staff and students as well as donation of crucial equipment.

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has championed for promotion of talents for People Living with Disabilities as it hosted the fourth edition of the UHAI Festival Western Region. This event held on Saturday, 24^th September 2022, was aimed at giving Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) an opportunity to showcase different talents, celebrate life, network, and have fun. The idea was developed after it was noted that there are very few events that are specifically tailored for PWDs.

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology's IHELP project Principal Investigator, Dr. Rose Opiyo has advanced the project by establishing a fourth Inclusive Home-Based Early Learning Centre in Idakho East, Ikolomani Sub-County. Yesterday, 22nd September 2022, Dr. Opiyo met the Shiveye ward administrators, Community leadership, and its members to discuss issues pertaining to the establishment of a Caregiving center in the region.

MMUST’s African women in Science and Engineering (AWSE) have stepped up efforts to keep girls in school through provision of free sanitary towels.  On 7^th September, 2022, the team of scholars led by Prof. Elizabeth Omukunda, Dr. Rose Opiyo and Dr. Frida Njeru visited Amalemba and Kakamega primary schools with the aim of encouraging the girls and donating the sanitary towels. This outreach activity is part of the AWSE initiative to support the girl child in Kakamega County.

The head teacher, Amalemba Primary School, Miss Grace Baraza thanked the team and the University for remembering her girls and for contributing towards keeping them in school. She revealed that the school has had previous incidences of learners being lured into early sexual activities for material things due to high poverty levels in the region.

MMUST’s leading Ecologist and Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, Dr. Humphrey Agevi, has been picked to join the PlanAdapt organization as a Fellow. Dr. Agevi is a lecturer from the Department of Biological Sciences in the School of Natural Sciences (SONAS). The Fellowship is domiciled in Germany and will involve the identified Fellows attending Climate Co-adaptation Lab Weekly meetings every Tuesday where they go through the Lab Opportunity Database (LOD).