By Erick Nyayiera
The TheJaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology Ladies Network (JOLANET) is seeking to empower girls through mentorship.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Agong’ says it is a brilliant idea whose key objective is to engage in mentorship, conducting research, networking, and undertaking training skills for the girl child.
JOLANET is a women’s organization within Jaramogi University comprising of key resource personnel who are section heads in the Institution including the academic staff.
Key departments are headed by various competent women including the office of the Chief Financial officer, the University’s legal officer, the Auditor, Human Resources Director and the Director in Charge Cooperate Affairs among others.
Speaking at the virtual conference Agong’heaped praises on the ladies network noting that it’s contributions has been instrumental in enabling the University to be at the global seat it currently enjoys.
“The role of women in leadership in our institutions and the society must be encouraged, their proven input in science, research and innovations speaks volumes and as the JOOUST management we are eager to support them in all their quality endeavors,” said Prof. Agong.
The Vice Chancellor was glad that JOLANET has continued to conduct mentorship for the female students, which has resultantly made girls take up technical courses often deemed to be a reserve of men based on their qualifications.
He added “The World Bank funded ‘insefeeds’ project at JOOUST which is one of its kind in Africa and was a brain child of a female scientist Prof. Monica Ayieko.”
The Chief Guest during the virtual meeting was Dr. Dinah Mwinzi, Vice Chancellor Kenya Assemblies of God University.
She advised the women network to ensure that they are able to grow in their workplace and compete favorably with the male gender.
She stated that promotions and career progression are based on qualifications and that there is no preferential treatment for the ladies in the world of academics.
“Networking with professionals in your field will help you grow since you will get the best experiences. Also note that whatever you imagine, that’s what you are. The human mind is very important hence must be fed with the right ingredients so as to be positive at all times,” she said.
She asked them to keep healthy through exercising, eating well, taking sufficient water and most importantly reflecting on the good things they do and thanking God for his grace.
This will keep you focused and make you grow in your work place.”
Dr. Pamela Raburu, Director, Quality Enhancement and Standards and JOOUST Council member Joyce Karinge are the two brains behind the formation of JOLANET.
Karinge expressed her satisfaction that the girl child in the university and the society at large are already benefiting from the immense mentorship and counselling support.
She said they are determined to support female students on all fronts until completion of their University programs and to also keep tracking them even after completion.
Dr. Pamela Raburu who is also a senior lecturer and an educational psychologist believes that ladies too need to be at the same wave length in research and science.
“We have academic qualifications some which are better than men but we can’t take it beyond the graduations,” said Dr. Raburu.
She revealed that the network has extended its responsibilities to cover school mentorship programs across the country.
“When girls see a role model, a lady who has surmounted the challenges and made it in academics and leadership, they feel like ‘yes we can’ but this does not mean we alienate boys, we also have a program for them too,” said Raburu.
Apart from Jaramogi University, the network has conducted talks at Kisii University, Kabianga University and Maseno University.
They have also visited Kereri Girls, Maranda High, Maseno School, St. Ignatius Vihiga, Nun- Kopir in Kitengela, Nyabondo Boys and Ukwala Boys.
Others covered are Agoro Sare High, Butere Girls, Nyakach Girls including conducting a talk to over 10 schools from Bungoma County in an organized forum in Ndalu among many more instituions.
They said an upsurge in the uptake of STEM courses by feamel students has been witnessed.
in ladies which has improved their role in the current technological world.”
A key presentation during zoom conference was a talk by Lucy Kawira, a JOOUST alumni who joined the institution in 2016 and graduated in 2019.
Through the University, she attended a five week scholarship program in the United States of America that completely changed her life.
Kawira currently runs an organization known as Inua Deaf Child in Eastern part of Kenya and does online writing and tutoring that enables her engage in international networking.
