Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) have landed a rare opportunity courtesy the Study of the United States Institutes (SUSI). MMUST earned this prestigious honor after the United States Embassy Cultural Exchange office identified 12 female students from the 11 schools within the University to take part in this innovative program. Prof. John V. O Muoma is coordinating the program on behalf of MMUST.
During a meeting with the Attaché who paid her a courtesy call, the Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Asenath Sigot said that she was pleased that the SUSI program had identified MMUST as a prospective participant. According to Prof. Muoma, a Fulbright scholar working closely with the U.S Embassy Cultural Exchange office, the identified students were interviewed by the consulate cultural attaché Christopher Munchin shortly after the VC’s courtesy call.
Mr. Munchin pointed out that the purpose of the intense interviews they were carrying out was to shortlist identified students for the SUSI program and send them to Washington DC for further processing. This will enable them to travel to the United States of America in June 2020. The program will bring together 80 SUSI student leaders picked from various countries, with MMUST selected students representing Kenya.
The SUSI program is a fully funded intensive short-term academic program whose purpose is to provide groups of undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. The five-week institutes will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities and volunteer opportunities within the local community. Each institute will have 20 female participants and will include a four-week academic residency component and a one-week integrated study tour. At the same session, they will also get the chance to engage in educational and cultural activities outside the classroom.
It is worth noting that this program is principally centered on student leaders and women leadership. Further, it will examine the history and participation of women in public life at the United States.
By Albert Induli and Wilberforce Shiundu
