AWSE-MMUST-CHAPTER RESEARCH FINDINGS TO TACKLE ADOLESCENT SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CRISIS IN WESTERN KENYA

MMUST’s African Women in Science and Engineering have taken the lead in addressing the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic. A team of researchers, led by the Chair AWSE, MMUST-Western Chapter, Dr. Selline Ooko, conducted a study in Lurambi Sub-county and subsequently held a dissemination Workshop at MCU boardroom on Thursday, 3^rd February, 2022.

This study is one of the thirty-three (33) research projects that were funded by the University, through the Directorate of Research and Postgraduate Support (DRPS), in the year 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak. “I am grateful to the University management for giving us this opportunity. We went out there, collected data and learnt a lot in the process. As researchers, we have a responsibility to the community. I look forward to implementing our findings,” said the Principal Investigator, Dr. Selline Ooko.

MMUST CONDUCTS STRATEGIC MEETING WITH HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERS (HEP) IN A BID TO INTENSIFY ONLINE LEARNING

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), on 1^st February 2022, held a strategic meeting with officials from the Higher Education Partners (HEP) in a bid to formalize an agreement towards intensifying online learning at MMUST. This joint meeting comes after several meetings that began in October 2021 in preparation for a strategic partnership between MMUST and Higher Education Partners.

This session provided a platform for key personalities in the University to be engaged in the agreement. They also familiarized themselves with the key issues required to achieve the ultimate goal of expanding access to quality and affordable higher education through the online distribution of degree programmes.

MMUST'S STAFF RETIREMENT BENEFITS SCHEME CONDUCTS 11TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AS MEMBERS CALL FOR INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION MAKING

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology's Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme held their eleventh Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday 29^th January, 2022, at the main campus as members called for greater involvement in all matters pertaining to the scheme.  The AGM gave members of the Scheme an opportunity to engage the Scheme Trustees on a variety of issues relating to the scheme.

Speaking during the AGM, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Daniel Otanga , applauded the scheme members for attending this year’s AGM in large numbers. He thanked the Sponsor of the Scheme () for endeavoring to support the Scheme through regular and timely remittance of monthly contributions which has seen the Scheme make tremendous growth.

MMUSO LEADERSHIP VISITS THE KENYAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON A BENCHMAKING MISSION

Masinde Muliro University Student Organization (MMUSO) visited the National Assembly of Kenya in Nairobi on Wednesday, 26^th January, 2022 on a benchmarking mission to understand the Legislative processes. This visit was organized by the office of the Dean of students in conjunction with the office of the Vice Chancellor.

The purpose of this visit was to offer MMUSO leadership a chance to interact with Members of Parliament from the Western region. It also enabled them to seek support for the ongoing projects within the University and the MMUST Student Endowment Fund.

MMUST TO DEVELOP SHORT COURSE ON ORGANIC FARMING FOR SMALLSCALE FARMERS IN WESTERN REGION THROUGH PROUNIEDU-WEK COLLABORATION

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has set plans in motion to introduce organic farming of groundnuts in Western Kenya through development of a short course for farmers. This was part of the discourse steered by retired Professor of Agriculture, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Prof. Hars-Peter Piorr on Tuesday 25th January while at MMUST.

Prof. Hars-Peter Piorr said that organic farming plays a huge role in the sustainable development goals and should therefore be embraced internationally, especially in Kenya. The Professor, a staunch researcher in organic farming and renewable energies, emphasized on the link between the two in encouraging eco-friendly farming which is socio-economically beneficial to farmers. He said that he established the fact that the groundnuts produced in Kenya are tastier and highly marketable for exportation to other countries such as Germany.

MMUST DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROMOTION AND SPORTS SCIENCE RECEIVES DONATION OF SIXTEEN (16) RUGBY SUITS FROM THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF NAIROBI COURTESY OF ITS STUDENT MS. DORRIS NYAMU

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s Department of Health Promotion and Sports Science on 12^th January 2022, received a donation of sixteen (16) rugby suits from the County Government of Nairobi, courtesy of its student Ms. Doris Nyamu. Ms. Nyamu serves as a Sports Officer in the city County of Nairobi and is currently upgrading her undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Sports Science at MMUST.

MMUST HOSTS THE SECOND SPECIAL OLYMPICS KENYA SCREENING EVENT FOR ATHLETES WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Saturday 22nd January 2022 marked a special day for Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) as athletes with special needs in Kakamega County converged at MMUST to receive Healthy Athlete Screening. The event was sponsored by the ‘Golisano Foundation’ which comprises of Special Olympics Kenya, Healthy Athletes and Lions International. In MMUST, the Special Olympics screening was coordinated by the Director Research and Postgraduate Support, Prof. Peter Bukhala, in conjunction with the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, which was led by the Chairperson, Dr. Christine Wanjala.