MMUST and the University of Venda (UNIVEN), South Africa, have been enjoying good working relationship for the past 4 years. This has been enhanced through a collaborative Memorandum of Understanding, which has given opportunity to the MMUST Scholars, Dr. Eunice Kanaga Najoli, Dr. Lucy Mandillah and Dr. James Bill Ouda to be part of the UNIVEN Post Doctoral Research Fellowships (PDRFs) program.

Speaking of the Post Doc opportunity, Dr. Ouda said “this PDRF is a learning curve and an opportunity for candidates to cross-pollinate ideas and experiences between MMUST and UNIVEN”. He said that the program has enhanced his growth as a scholar by allowing him and his colleagues to conduct research and submit quality manuscripts in high impact journals. Hopefully, at the end of the PDRF program, they will leave UNIVEN as more refined and experienced scholars and share the same with colleagues at MMUST and beyond, said Dr. Ouda.
UNIVEN Director of Research and Innovation, Prof. Georges-Ivo Ekosse, noted that the postdoctoral training under the observation of an experienced supervisor expands research skills, develops independence and shapes career trajectories. The training program also balances research, teaching, professional development and post graduate student supervision. He also noted that the fellowship is potentially available for a period of three years with prospects of further funding.

Lake Victoria Grass Ultimate Tournament (LVGUT) held at Kisumu Polytechnic over the weekend of 2nd-3rd June 2018 was marked with a lot of sporting enthusiasm. Sports giants MMUST took part in the Frisbee tournament. MMUST, the first entrants to this tournament managed to edge out their opponents and giants of this sport Nairobi Cool Waters 10-5, and the defending champions Impala 7-6, in the quarter and semifinals, respectively.

In the much contested finals against Kisumu Black Fish, MMUST settled to the second position after the Kisumu-based team took an 11-4 win. The Bernard Ouma coached team bravely earned the four points through Gloria Paul, Zachary Muhindi, Alex Santai and Grace Nashani.

Speaking after the tournament, Mr. Ouma applauded the players, especially the ladies for displaying an excellent game, despite being new entrants, hardly a year old as a team. He promised much better results in the next tournament in September 2018.

The fruits of investing in sports by the University Management keep yielding fruits. Congrats to the new kids on the block for displaying their potential.

MMUST through the Greening Initiative and the Organization of Environmental Conservationists (OEC) was involved in the World Environment Day related activities in Kakamega. The event, which was held on 2nd June 2018, in preparation for actual big day, was organized by the Wildlife Club of Kenya (WCK), County Government of Kakamega, and members of environmental clubs from various primary and secondary schools.

The participants planted over 1000 indigenous trees, and engaged in the cleanup of the town. While gracing the event, CEC Environment Kakamega County, Hon. Baraza Wangwe, said “Similar events will be organized every three months in different sub-counties of Kakamega County, the next event will be held in Lugari Sub-county that suffers water shortage”. 

MMUST Environmentalist, Mr. Humphrey Agevi, a member of the Greening Inititive, and the Patron of OEC, said that the University will develop partnerships with similar organizations in the country to protect and conserve the environment. “We will use the expertise we have in MMUST to help inculcate ideals of conservation awareness into students to help mitigate the effects of environmental degradation” he said.

MMUST women handball proved unbeatable in the western region.  The ladies edged out all their opponents in the Western Handball Federation Tournament on 1st of June 2018 at MMUST grounds. The ladies enjoyed the cheering from the local supporters, and comfortably finished with an 18-8 win in the final match against Flickers, an alumni team. This was after they had eliminated Madira Girls at the semifinals. 

Speaking after the match, Captain Jackline Chepkurui commended her teammates for the great job. She said that the team had demonstrated a more superior game, attributing this to the adequate preparation of players and support to the team. Thanks to the Games Department and the University Management under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Fred Otieno.

In thrilling matches, MMUST RFC was crowned champions in the opening round of the Kings of Rugby 7s tournament, held at Dedan Kimathi University, on the weekend of 2nd-3rd June 2018. This is after edging out African Nazarene University 31-5; and thwarting their archrival and defending champions USIU, in a much exciting semifinal that ended 24-5.

MMUST RFC booked a ticket into the finals where they hammered Kenyatta University 10-7, through efforts led by Timothy Mmasi and Elvis Amunya. The result is evidence that Dr. Ochieng’ Ahaya is a potential international rugby coach. We appreciate support given to the team by the University Management.

MMUST and Victims of Terrorism Organization Kenya (VTOK) are participating in a joint Workshop on Building a Culture of Peace and non-Violence, 5th to 8th June 2018. MMUST Director of International Relations and Academic Linkages (DIAL), Dr. Catherine Aurah, said that the workshop is part of activities of a collaborative MoU to create peaceful society and develop Peace Ambassadors. “The world is messed up by war and conflict all over, and it is high time we develop processes that will create peaceful societies” said Dr. Aurah.

MMUST was privileged with visitors from Purdue UniversitySchool of Agriculture on 7th May, 2018. Among the visitors wereProf.GuriJohal - Molecular pathology and genetics and Prof Sue Loesch-Fries - plant virology.

The motive of the visit was to strengthen Research and Innovation within the two partner Universities, which came as a result of a collaborative research initiative by a Borlaug fellow Robert Leitich, whose sole purpose is to provide Kenyan students with an opportunity to end maize viruses by working on new ways of managing Maize lethal Necrotic Diseases in Kenya (MLND).

While addressing the visitors, MMUST team represented by Dr. Jackson Cheruiyot, Dr. John Muoma and Dr. VitalisOgema who is also the lead post-harvest researcher in MMUST, welcomed the move for the partnership of the two universities saying it will ameliorate agricultural practices along the farm produce chain, going by the fact that Purdue University’s School of Agriculture has globally been on the leading front in agricultural innovations, having recently invented chemical free low-cost storage bags that preserves food for a long time. They also applauded the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags which they said arereusable and can be used up to three times with effective control of pests, hence greatly reduces farmer’s post-harvest losses incurred every year.

The MMUST team, agreed to partner with the Purdue University team to come up with a platform that will enable an exchange program which will see MMUST students move to Purdue University for practical agricultural skills as those from Purdue University also visit Kenya, which will be aimed at improving food nutrition using modern breeding techniques. “Once this process comes in fruition, a well-structured program will be put in place to enable Kenyan students not only get practical training on agricultural practices but also travel to Purdue University for other agricultural related degree programs” said Dr.Muoma.

While receiving the Purdue University team on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, The Director International Linkages-MMUST, Dr. Catherine Aura commended the move to partner with Purdue University in matters Agriculture and assured MMUST’s commitment to fast track the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) once the proposal is in place, as this will help achieve the Kenya’s presidential big four agenda, as it addresses food security as one of the big presidential agendas.

We wish to thank the University management under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Fred Otieno for the great commitment and effort it has put in place tofacilitate and enhance agricultural sector.

MMUST Chancellor, Dr. Peter Muthoka, accompanied by the Chair of Council, Dr. Jeremy Bundi and the Council members, Mr. Samson Muchelule and Mr. Don Riaro, visited the University Friday 18th to 19th May, 2018.