The Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, (MMUST) has reaffirmed its commitment in supporting needy students through financial support to keep them in school.
Speaking at the university in Kakamega town when he welcomed first-year students, Vice-Chancellor Solomon Shibairo said the university was reaching out to partners who had committed to enable the institution pay fees for the needy learners to avoid disruptions of their academic calendars.
Prof. Shibairo outlined various measures that MMUST had put in place to support needy and vulnerable students, assuring the newly-admitted students at the University of their Commitment to providing equal opportunities for all the learners regardless of their backgrounds.
“Over the past few years, Kenyan Universities have been grappling with issues of financial constraints with the shift in the national universities’ funding model,” Prof. Shibairo said.
“The country’s tough economic times have, thus, resulted in the public’s inability to pay for tuition and increased the number of needy students,” he added.
He noted that the university had enhanced its students’ welfare through the Office of the Dean of Students, which offers financial aid and other opportunities to the learners.
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The VC pointed out that these include the talent scholarship, a unique initiative that allowed talented and needy students to pursue their education as they nurture their talents.
He added that the other measures are the Rattansi Bursary and work study programme, which support such category of students.
“Education is the great equalizer. We are determined to walk with every student whether privileged or disadvantaged to ensure they actualize their dreams. No student at this University should defer their studies because of financial hardship,” Prof. Shibairo said.
“We are calling on students who have been admitted at MMUST and are not able to raise tuition fees to come to the institution for assistance and guidance,” he went on.
A special highlight of this year’s intake was the admission of twin brothers, Agesa Bahati Ian and Agesa Baraka Ivan from Lubao town in Kakamega County.
“These two needy students captured the hearts of many people, following their resilience and determination to pursue their studies. The two determined young men have been selling dogs at Lubao market to raise money for their secondary school education and upkeep,” he narrated.
He said the duo beat all these odds to join the University to study Bachelor of Education Science (Chemistry and Biology).
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“MMUST has pledged to support the twin brothers and other needy students by ensuring that they receive necessary academic, psychological and financial support to pursue their dreams,” he assured.
The VC also utilized the opportunity to call on well-wishers and other stakeholders to join forces in supporting such cases.
He stated that the university was already following up on cases similar to that of Ian and Ivan.
“MMUST has organized for officers from Higher Education Loans Board and University Fund to assist students with scholarships and loan applications. The Officials are stationed at the Office of the Dean of Students,” he stated.
On his part, the Registrar, Academic Affairs, Judah Ndiku, observed that a new trend had emerged where Universities were now receiving a higher number of students who were below 18 years of age and without national identity cards.
“To address this, MMUST is using their birth certificates to authenticate them and will later arrange for them to apply for national identity cards,” said Prof. Ndiku.
By Denis Lumiti
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