Joshua (Odhiambo) Oduor 
Kakamega, Kenya -10th September,2024- The chairperson of the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) Council, Dr. Pamela Sitienei, addressed over 6,700 first-year students during the Vice Chancellor’s First Year Address at the university’s grounds. In her inaugural welcome speech, the chair emphasized the university’s commitment to student-centered education and technological advancement.
“MMUST is a student-centered university with versatile, dynamic, and market-driven academic programs,” the council chair stated.
She highlighted the institution’s focus on three key pillars: student-centricity, improved processes and systems, and academic growth coupled with economic sustainability.
The chair announced several technological upgrades aimed at enhancing the student experience. These include a new student portal and campus automated system, which will soon incorporate biometric registration using facial recognition and fingerprints.
“You’ll be able to get your grades, results, and transcripts on time wherever you are,” she explained.
Addressing concerns raised by the student council president, the chair assured that many issues had already been approved by the council, including improvements to healthcare systems, drug supplies, and uniforms. She urged the vice chancellor to implement these changes promptly.
“Wi-Fi should be working across the campus 24-7 because a lot of students study even at night,” the chair emphasized, indicating that the budget for campus-wide Wi-Fi had been approved in the previous year.
The council’s vision for MMUST extends beyond local improvements. The chair revealed plans to establish international partnerships, particularly in engineering.
“We are focused on bringing engineering to this school. When I say engineering, I mean opening up linkages from overseas, opening up universities that have the best in the world, like MIT, to actually come here, put some equipment here, and really help you in terms of getting experience and practice and expertise,” she elaborated.
Praising the university’s leadership, the chair commended the University Management Board (UMB) and Senate for their coordination of academic tasks. She also acknowledged the commitment of both teaching and non-teaching staff in supporting new students.
The council chair expressed her determination to implement competency-based training at MMUST, aligning with the government’s bottom-up economic agenda. She emphasized the goal of positioning MMUST as a premier institution not just in the Western region of Kenya, but in East Africa and the broader African continent.
Conveying greetings from the Minister of Education and the Principal Secretary of Higher Education, the chair noted their interest in the university’s new approach to welcoming first-year students.
In her closing remarks, the council chair encouraged the new students to strive for excellence, stating, “Let excellence continue to be your mantle and our mantle as the premier university in the region.”
The event was attended by the university’s leadership, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Solomon Shibairo, as well as the Kakamega County government Officials led by the Governor, FCPA Fernandes Barasa, and Education CECM Dr. Boniface Okoth.
