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MMUST has has partnered with secondary schools to intensified efforts to promote STEM education among girls across the Western Kenya region.
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The initiative is aimed at encouraging more girls to embrace STEM subjects and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and related fields, which have traditionally recorded low female representation.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has partnered with secondary schools to intensified efforts to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education among girls across the Western Kenya region.
The initiative is aimed at encouraging more girls to embrace STEM subjects and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and related fields, which have traditionally recorded low female representation.
Through the program, the university hopes to bridge the gender gap in STEM disciplines while preparing learners for opportunities in the rapidly evolving global economy.
Speaking during an outreach engagement with students, MMUST Coordinator for Extension Services and Outreach Programs, Philip Amunyunzu, said the university is committed to nurturing young talent and empowering girls to take up careers that will contribute to national development.
Amunyunzu noted that STEM education plays a critical role in driving innovation, industrial growth, scientific research, and technological advancement, all of which are key pillars in Kenya’s development agenda.
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“By exposing learners to STEM opportunities at an early stage, we are helping them understand the importance of science and technology in solving societal challenges and creating sustainable economic opportunities,” he said.
Dr. Annette Okoth, Secretary of the African Women in Science and Engineering (AWSE) MMUST Chapter, emphasized the need to empower girls to pursue careers in fields that have historically been dominated by men.
She said the partnership seeks to inspire confidence among female learners by providing mentorship, career guidance, and practical exposure to science and technology-related disciplines.
According to Dr. Okoth, many girls possess the potential to excel in STEM fields but often lack role models, information, and support systems that can guide them toward such career paths.
Through the initiative, students will participate in mentorship programs, science exhibitions, innovation forums, and academic outreach activities designed to spark interest in STEM subjects and demonstrate their real-world applications.
The university will also engage professionals, researchers, and female scientists to share their experiences and inspire learners to pursue careers in science, engineering, medicine, information technology, and other STEM-related sectors.
Kuywa Girls Senior School Principal Isabella Simiyu welcomed the collaboration, describing it as a significant step toward improving educational outcomes and expanding career opportunities for girls.
She noted that some science subjects have experienced declining interest among learners in recent years, making such interventions necessary to rekindle enthusiasm and improve performance.
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“The partnership with MMUST will expose our learners to new possibilities and help them appreciate the value of science and technology in shaping their future careers,” Simiyu said.
Education stakeholders have praised the initiative, saying it will strengthen collaboration between secondary schools and institutions of higher learning while creating a seamless pathway for students interested in STEM careers.
The program is expected to benefit hundreds of girls across the Western region by equipping them with knowledge, skills, and motivation to pursue science-based careers. Stakeholders believe the initiative will not only enhance academic performance but also contribute to the development of a new generation of female scientists, engineers, innovators, and technology leaders capable of driving Kenya’s socio-economic transformation.
As the country continues to embrace innovation and technology as engines of growth, education experts argue that empowering girls in STEM is essential in building an inclusive and competitive workforce for the future.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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