Kibabii University has made history as the first Institution of Higher Learning to offer Health Sciences courses in Bungoma County. This comes after the official launch of the School of Nursing that took place on Friday 15th October, 2021.
Speaking during the Launch, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nursing Council of Kenya Dr. Edna Tallam-Kimaiyo confirmed that the University had received approval from the Council after putting in place the required equipment, curriculum and human capital that will aid in impacting students with the requisite knowledge.
“Before the Council gives a nod for a university to offer Nursing, it normally undertakes prior assessment that ensures the required mechanisms are put in place,” she said.
She added that the Covid-19 pandemic had put healthcare providers under immense stress hence the need for more capacity building in the Nursing profession.
“Nurses and midwives have a big role to play in the area of research, clinical care and vaccine administration. There is therefore need for the community to appreciate this noble career and give it the respect and support it deserves “.
Kibabii University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Ipara Odeo said the University has already admitted the first batch of 60 pioneer students and pledged to fulfill the pledges committed during the accreditation process.
“During this year’s intake, we received an oversubscription in applications for pioneer students. I appeal to the Nursing Council of Kenya to allow us admit up to 100 students because we believe we have the capacity,” he said.
He challenged the Founding Dean School of Nursing, Faculty and Staff to grow the School to higher levels and produce the highly sought after graduates in the Profession.
Bungoma County Chief Executive (CECM) for Health, Anthony Walela lauded the University for the bold step and urged students to be focused on their studies. He challenged jobless graduates to seek international opportunities that had been negotiated and opened by the Government of Kenya in Britain and other Western Nations.
The event, attended by the former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Kibabii University (Currently, VC MMUST) Prof. Solomon Shibairo also acted as a launch for new programmes in the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences and School of Computing and Informatics. The programmes include; PhD in Kiswahili, Master of Arts in Kiswahili and Master of Science in Digital Forensics.
