MMUST Hosts President William Ruto in His First Ever Graduation to Grace Since He Took Office!!

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has today, 9^th December, 2022 hosted H.E Dr. William Samoei Ruto, in his first ever graduation to grace since he took office as the 5^th President of Kenya. The colourful event, which drew the interest of a host of government officials and political dignitaries, saw MMUST confer Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) in Peace and Sustainable Development to the Prime Cabinet Secretary, H.E Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi EGH.

The University graduated about 3,802 students from ten (10) Schools in the levels of PhD, Masters, Bachelors, Diploma and Certificate, who were awarded and conferred by the Chancellor, Dr. Peter Wanyaga Muthoka. The highly decorated ceremony themed ‘Mainstreaming Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development’ was an opportunity for MMUST to share its institutional agenda with the Head of State who promised to implement a raft of infrastructural and human capital development projects.

The event was also attended by the University Council led by the Chairperson of Council, Dr. Musangi Jane Mutua and the Governor of Kakamega County, H.E FCPA, Fernandes Barasa as well as the Senator, Kakamega County, Dr. Boni Khalwale. One of the earlier MMUST Honoris Causa recipients, the Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Dr. Francis Atwoli was also present.

Notably, the President also laid a foundation stone on the Engineering and TVET Complex which is under construction.

The 18^th graduation ceremony has indeed placed MMUST at the apex of the education sector national and global conversation. MMUST is the University to watch out for when it comes to matters of sustainable development.

MMUST Vice Chancellor Hosts Lubao FM Journalists In Readiness To Conduct The Forthcoming Graduation Ceremony

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo (in black suit), the Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Lubao FM journalists.

The MMUST Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo yesterday, 6^th December, 2022 hosted Lubao FM Journalists in readiness to conduct the forthcoming graduation ceremony. The event which took place at the Vice Chancellor’s office was geared towards interviewing the VC on the level of preparedness towards the 18^th graduation ceremony slated for Friday, 9^th December, 2022.

The Vice Chancellor acknowledged that the University has achieved a lot and preparations are underway in readiness for the big day. He revealed that the University is expecting 3,802 graduands and a good number of dignitaries, including, religious and political leaders as well as the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi who will receive an Honoris Causa (Honorary Degree) during the graduation ceremony.

“Organizing graduation events has been a challenge during the COVID- 19 pandemic era but things have normalized recently. The forthcoming graduation ceremony will be held physically and complemented virtually on television and the University social media handles,” stated Prof. Shibairo.

The Vice Chancellor speaking during the interview with Lubao FM journalist, Mr. Javan Sajida.

The Vice Chancellor pointed out that MMUST is a student- centered institution that recognizes students’ needs. The Vice Chancellor emphasized the need for a proper footbridge, students’ centre and boarding facilities. He called upon well-wishers and partners to support MMUST for effective service delivery.

“Students have been facing challenges throughout their learning process. About 500 students may miss graduation due to incomplete payment of school fees. However, the Deans have worked hard to ensure that we have valid graduation lists,” said Prof. Shibairo.

Notably, the VC hinted that through the University’s flagship programmes such as Engineering and Health Sciences, the University management looks forward to tackling issues of malaria, sickle cell anaemia and herbal medicine. As a result, the University needs structures to support the project.

The Vice Chancellor extended a hand of appreciation to the University Alumni who have been very supportive in terms of contributions and fundraising. They look forward to identifying and coming up with a project in the University. Expressing his delight, the Vice Chancellor pointed out that there are several solutions to the lack of school fees menace, stating that the University through its Chancellor has come up with a fund.

“We have launched an alternative fund, the ‘Chancellor’s Endowment Fund’ which is an initiative that helps needy students pay their school fees. We are coming up with criteria where students who show good progress in academia and prove an inability to pay fees will benefit from the fund. We are calling upon everyone to contribute to the initiative so that we can support our students. Besides, the CDF has been quite helpful to the needy students,” explained Prof. Shibairo.

The Vice Chancellor receiving a crate of water from Lubao FM Journalists after the interview.

 Further, Prof. Shibairo commended the new government’s taskforce which will improve the quality of education in the country especially at the University level. He added that the government will help the University establish accommodation.

“We have pride in providing quality education in various fields of expertise. Our lecturers have offered the best training to our graduands and they are ready for the job market. They have the capacity to secure good jobs and can also become entrepreneurs. The students who are willing to continue with further studies should do so as we anticipate to admit students in January. I wish everyone a merry X-mas and a prosperous New Year, 2023,” stated Prof. Shibairo.

By Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Verna Awuor

Photos by Wilberforce Shiundu

MMUST Proposal Review Committee Training Workshop Set to Strengthen Research Capacities in the Institution

DVC, Planning, Research and Innovation, Prof. Charles Mutai (in black suit) together with other Participants present at the workshop.

The just concluded Proposal Review Committee Training Workshop held from 29 to 30 November, 2022, is set to Golf Hotel, Kakamega. This was DVC, Planning, Research and Innovation,

The workshop was geared towards providing knowledge and skills needed in writing research proposals that attract collaborations with other Universities and Higher institutions of learning.  This will strengthen, manage and raise the status of research not only at MMUST but also in the country and globally.

UASU-MMUST Chapter Leadership Pledges Better Services to Its Members as It Conducts This Year’s (2022) Annual General Meeting

The National Secretary General, Dr. Constantine Wesonga addressing UASU-MMUST Chapter members.

The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) -Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Chapter leadership has pledged its members better services as they continue to discharge their mandate of ensuring improved welfare and terms of service. This was revealed during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) themed which was held on 29 November 2022 at the UASU MMUST Chapter Centre, Milimani, Kakamega.

The Recently Launched MMUST Chancellor’s Endowment Fund, May Be One of Its Kind in Western Kenya

MMUST Chancellor, Dr. Peter Wanyaga Muthoka (Centre, in white coat), together with MMUST management and staff during the event.

The MMUST Chancellor’s Endowment Fund which was launched on Wednesday, 30^th November, 2022, is likely to be one of its kind in Western Kenya. In one single sweep, the Ksh. 200, 000 seed money that had been donated by MMUST Chancellor, Dr. Peter Wanyaga Muthoka, was catapulted into 6.222, 499 million in a matter of minutes. The fund seems to have acquired a life of its own with impressive donations from the MMUST Council, Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellors, Registrar of academics, Professor’s Forum, staff, and students long before the real work of looking for moneyed benefactors begins.

AWSE-MMUST Chapter Awards STEM Ambassadors Certificates of Recognition for Their Noble Contribution in Mentoring Young Boys and Girls

The African Women in Science and Engineering (AWSE), MMUST Chapter, led by the Chairperson, Dr. Selline Ooko has today, 30th November, 2022, awarded STEM ambassadors certificates of recognition for their contribution in mentoring young boys and girls.

The AWSE team applauded the students for the work that they are doing in the society and encouraged them to continue with the noble cause. The ambassadors were urged to go out of their way to not only mentor young students in the region, but also their respective home counties.

MMUST’s Efforts to Boost Its Intellectual Property Profile Continue as University Holds IP Workshop for Deans and CODs

IP Workshop participants pose for a group photo.

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, through the Directorate of Science Park Innovation and Incubation Centre (SPIIC), has continued to sensitize its researchers on Intellectual Property(IP) as well as Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in a bid to improve the University’s IP profile. On Tuesday, 29^th November, 2022, SPIIC conducted an IP Workshop themed ‘Everyone in MMUST Can Have an Intellectual Property,’ which targeted Deans and Chairpersons of Departments (CODs).

MMUST Receives Optometry Equipment Donation From Students Voluntary Optometry Service Humanity (SVOSH) to Support Clinical Training and Community Outreach Activities

The DVC, Academics and Student Affairs, Prof. Hussein Golicha, the Dean School of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences and Technology (SPHBST), Prof. Edwin Wamukoya together with Optometry team after receiving the donation.

Today, 28^th November, 2022, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has received a donation of Optometry equipment from the Students Voluntary Optometry Service Humanity (SVOSH), MMUST Chapter. The donation which was earmarked for the Optometry Department is to support clinical training and Community Outreach Activities. The equipment of about Ksh. 700,000 included 300 reading glasses and 200 sunglasses.