MMUST to host three-day national forum on women and girls in STEM

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) will host a three-day national conference bringing together education stakeholders to discuss strategies for increasing the participation of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The conference is scheduled for November 25 to 27, 2026, at the university's main campus in Kakamega, under the theme "Advancing Girls and Women in STEM in Higher Education for Economic Development in Kenya."

It is expected to provide a national platform for policymakers, university administrators, researchers and other education stakeholders to deliberate on gender disparities in STEM disciplines and explore interventions to expand opportunities for women and girls in the sector.

The conference is being organised in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Women in Technology and Innovation Africa, the Commission for University Education (CUE) and MMUST.(Education News Kenya — https://educationnews.co.ke/news/mmust-to-host-three-day-national-forum-on-women-and-girls-in-stem)

State Department for Higher Education Principal Secretary Dr Beatrice Muganda Inyangala is among the senior education officials associated with the conference.

Discussions are expected to focus on barriers limiting women's participation in STEM programmes, access to higher education, mentorship, research opportunities and the development of an inclusive learning environment.

Stakeholders are expected to examine how universities and other institutions can strengthen policies and programmes aimed at encouraging more female students to enrol in science and technology-related courses and pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.

The conference will also seek to highlight the role of higher education institutions in nurturing female talent, promoting innovation and equipping young women with technical skills needed in a changing labour market.

The engagement comes at a time when STEM disciplines are increasingly recognised as critical drivers of innovation, technological advancement, industrialisation and economic growth.

The conference is expected to generate recommendations aimed at strengthening women's participation in STEM and aligning higher education with the country's broader economic development priorities.