MMUST set to become the Center of Excellence in Sickle Cell Anemia Courtesy of Collaboration with Ball State University USA

MMUST has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Teachers College, Ball State University Muncie, Indiana, USA. This MOU was established to realize the mutual benefits of an educational partnership between the two institutions. The MOU renewal was organized by the Director, DIAL, Dr. Catherine Aurah, and presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo. The VC was accompanied by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Planning, Research, and Innovation), Prof. Charles Mutai.

Through this partnership, MMUST and Ball State University have carried out joint research in Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) and they are set to establish a center of excellence in Sickle Cell Anemia at MMUST. This is part of strategies to mitigate the devastating effects of this inherent blood disorder, which is prevalent in Western Kenya, yet is not well understood in the African continent.

Commenting on the Sickle Cell project, Prof. Winnie Mucherah noted that educational presentations can significantly improve participants’ knowledge regarding SCA. Additionally, these findings provide support for further interventions aimed at improving SCA knowledge and awareness. Prof. Mucherah’s counterpart from Ball State University, Melinda Messinco, was also present.

The other staff from MMUST included Carnegie Diaspora Fellow- Prof. Grace Keengwe (University of North Dakota), Dean SEDU- Prof. Moses Poipoi, the Associate Dean SEDU, Prof. Kennedy Bota, Prof. James Aggrey Oloo, Registrar Academics- Prof. Thomas Sakwa, Director, Quality Assurance- Prof. Danstone Barasa, the Dean, School of Public Health and Biomedical Technology- Prof. Edwin Wamukoya, Chairperson, Department of Psychology- Dr. Edward Okaya, Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing- Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Mr. Oscar Waswa.