MMUST to Graduate First Medical Doctors.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) is set to graduate its inaugural cohort of 12 trained medical doctors during its 21st graduation ceremony on December 11, 2024.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Solomon Shibairo, stated during a Media Breakfast event that these doctors successfully completed their six-year training without interruptions and are adequately equipped to serve the nation.
The Vice Chancellor acknowledged that training doctors for the first time posed challenges related to infrastructure, equipment shortages, and a lack of trainers and other resources.
He noted that the university overcame these obstacles with determination, ensuring the students graduated on time. He emphasized that their passion and commitment were critical to this success.
As part of its long-term strategy, the university plans to establish a School of Health Sciences. According to Professor Shibairo, this facility will be constructed on a 34-acre parcel of land at the Approved School grounds.
He revealed that MMUST is actively seeking donor support to finance this project, including the health sciences building.
Collaboration with Partners to Enhance Medical Education
The university is collaborating with Kakamega County General Hospital and other local facilities to train students while enabling them to provide services.
Professor Shibairo appealed to the Kenya-UK Help Alliance to assist the institution in growing as a medical school.
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Additionally, he urged the government to expedite the completion of the Level 6 hospital in Kakamega, which would provide a more robust training environment for medical students.
The 12 medical doctors will be among 3,962 graduands set to receive their degrees during the ceremony. Professor Shibairo disclosed that preparations are underway for the event, which is expected to attract over 15,000 attendees, including high-profile guests from both local and international spheres.
“The largest school to graduate is the School of Education with 983 students and the smallest is the School of Medicine. I really note the smallest number because we are doing this for the first time, the university has never graduated doctors,” he pointed out.
Fees Challenges Affecting Students
The Vice Chancellor raised concerns about students potentially missing graduation due to unpaid fees. Despite extending the payment deadline to Wednesday evening, some students failed to clear their balances and will have to wait until the next graduation ceremony.
He appealed to Members of Parliament to assist students struggling to pay fees, many of whom come from impoverished backgrounds with parents who are peasants or single caregivers.
Professor Shibairo shared that he and the Dean of Students occasionally use personal funds to assist needy students.
At one point, students from Kakamega owed the university nearly Sh60 million in fees. He expressed gratitude to MPs Peter Salasia (Mumias East) and Titus Khamala (Lurambi), who provided cheques and allocated bursaries through the NG-CDF to assist students.
The Vice Chancellor revealed that MMUST’s Council has partnered with the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to create a revolving fund to support needy students.
Additionally, the university’s alumni are working to establish an endowment fund aimed at addressing both institutional development and student support.
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Professor Shibairo is optimistic about the fund’s potential, noting that alumni-driven endowment funds are a cornerstone of many universities worldwide.
He called on MPs and the Kakamega community to contribute, emphasizing the fund’s role in aiding students from disadvantaged backgrounds and fostering the university’s growth.
MMUST to Graduate First Medical Doctors.
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