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https://kibu.ac.ke/

Dr. Rose Atieno Mutende
Senior Lecturer
Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy
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rmutende@kibu.ac.ke
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Biography

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Dr. Rose Atieno Mutende is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy. She is a  curriculum specialist and science teacher educator with strong expertise in designing and aligning teacher education curricula, integrating active learning pedagogies, and supporting educators to implement competency-based teaching in diverse contexts. She brings on board advanced skills in STEM pedagogy, digital learning integration, research and evaluation, teacher professional development, and the use of simulations to enhance conceptual understanding. Dr. Mutende is experienced in leading multi-stakeholder education initiatives, developing assessment frameworks, and producing evidence-based instructional materials that bridge theory and practice. Her work is driven by innovation, contextual sensitivity, and a commitment to improving teaching and learning outcomes in Kenya and across Africa.

Beyond her institutional responsibilities, Dr. Mutende is an active member of several professional bodies, including Forum foe Women Educationists in Africa (FAWE), the Women in STEM Network (WISN), the PhET Fellowship, and the LabXchange Ambassadors Community. These affiliations provide continuous exposure to emerging global trends in education such as competency-based curricula, digital pedagogy, and AI-supported learning which inform her teaching, research, and leadership practice. Dr. Mutende also serve as a member of the Board of Governors at Wanga Technical and Vocational College and Booker Academy where she provides valuable strategic directions that contribute to institutional development and academic quality assurance.

Academic Qualification

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Diploma in Education (Science)
| Moi Teachers College (1989-1991)
BEd (Science)
| Moi University, Kenya (2003-2006)
MED Science Teacher Education
| Aga Khan University, Institute of Education Development, Eastern Africa (2009 – 2011)
Doctor of Education (EdD)
| University of Nairobi, Kenya (2016 – 2021)

Field of Specialization

Dr. Mutende's field of specialization is Teacher Education, with a strong focus on STEM Instructional Methods and Resources in teacher education and higher education contexts. Her specialization is grounded in a solid academic foundation, extensive university teaching experience, active scholarly engagement, and sustained professional leadership in curriculum design, pedagogy, and digital learning innovation.
Academically, Dr. Mutende holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Curriculum Studies, a MEd in Teacher Education and a BEd (Science) complemented by a Diploma in Science Education. This progression of qualifications has equipped her with deep theoretical and practical expertise in curriculum theory, instructional design, teacher professional development, assessment, and learner-centered pedagogical approaches.
Professionally, Dr. Mutende has accumulated over fifteen years of experience in university teaching, curriculum development, and postgraduate supervision. Her work involves the design, development, and delivery of high-quality instructional content, including digitally mediated and interactive learning resources suitable for blended and fully online learning environments. She has extensive experience supervising postgraduate students to completion, mentoring early-career academics, and contributing to research projects that examine effective instructional practices, technology integration, and competency-based education.
Dr. Mutende's specialization is further strengthened through active engagement with international and regional professional bodies, including the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), the Women in STEM Network (WISN), the PhET Fellowship (University of Colorado Boulder), and the LabXchange Teacher Ambassador Program (Harvard University). These affiliations provide continuous exposure to emerging global trends such as competency-based curricula, digital pedagogy, simulation-based learning, open educational resources, and artificial intelligence in education, which she systematically integrates into her teaching, research, and instructional leadership.
Additionally, Dr. Mutende's leadership roles, particularly as the Founding Coordinator of the Centre of Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (COSTEM) at Kibabii University and as a Board of Governors member at Wanga Technical and Vocational College and Booker Academy, have enabled her to apply her specialization at both strategic and operational levels. She actively contributes to institutional capacity building, academic quality assurance, teacher professional development, and policy-informed curriculum implementation.

Membership of Professional Bodies

1) FAWE (Forum for African Women Educationalists)
FAWE is a pan-African non-governmental organization that promotes girls’ and women’s education through advocacy, research, and policy influence. It advances gender-responsive education systems that improve equity, retention, and achievement for learners across Africa.
My membership in FAWE strengthens my work in gender-responsive STEM education through access to research-informed advocacy, policy dialogue, and professional networks that promote equity and inclusion. It enhances my capacity to mentor learners and teachers, contribute to evidence-based reforms, and advance girls’ participation and success in science education.
2) Women in STEM Network (WISN) – Founder Member
Women in STEM Network (WISN) is a professional platform that empowers women and girls to participate, thrive, and lead in STEM fields. It promotes mentorship, capacity building, and visibility of women’s contributions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
As a founder member of WISN, I contribute to mentorship, capacity building, and advocacy that strengthen women’s participation and leadership in STEM. The network supports my teaching and research through collaboration, professional learning, and outreach initiatives that promote inclusive STEM pedagogy and improved learner engagement and achievement.
3) PhET Fellowship (University of Colorado Boulder)
The PhET Fellowship is a professional development program by the University of Colorado Boulder that supports educators to integrate PhET Interactive Simulations into teaching and learning. It promotes research-based, inquiry-driven, and interactive science instruction.
My PhET Fellowship enhances my expertise in simulation-based, inquiry-oriented STEM teaching and teacher training. It strengthens my research and content development through access to evidence-based digital learning tools, pedagogical frameworks, and global communities of practice that improve conceptual understanding, learner engagement, and instructional effectiveness.
4) LabXchange Ambassador (Harvard University)
LabXchange is a Harvard University initiative that provides free digital science learning resources, virtual labs, and interactive pathways for learners and educators. The Ambassador program supports educators to implement LabXchange resources and promote innovative science teaching.
As a LabXchange Ambassador, I strengthen my work in digital science education through access to virtual labs, open learning pathways, and innovative instructional resources. The program supports my teaching and research by enhancing technology integration, inquiry-based learning, and scalable approaches to improving science learning in diverse and low-resourced contexts.

Professional Training and Development

28/11/2022 - 10/03/2023
Training Trainers for Teacher Education and Management in Kenya on socio-cultural issues in the CBC Curriculum. Institutions: Strathmore University; University of Helsinki; Laurea University of Application Sciences; Pwani University.
Certificate of Completion
September 2023 - February 2024
LabXchange Teacher Ambassador, Harvard University, United States of America/
Certificate of Completion
April 2023 - October 2024
PhET Fellowship, University of Colorado-Boulder, United States of America
Certificate of Completion
23/10/2018 24/10/2018
Enhancing Learning Outcomes through the Application of 21C Pedagogies in the provision of University Education and embracing the New Competency Based Curriculum.
Certificate of Participation
15/05/2014 - 16/05/2014
Corporate Governance Training
Certificate of participation

Professional Research Interest

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Teacher preparation and professional development
Curriculum design and implementation
Integration of STEM Pedagogies and digital resources in teaching
Pedagogical innovations in low-resourced educational settings
Research Funds Attracted as Collaborating Scientist

01/07/2023 - 01/07/2025
Strengthening Mental Health Awareness Among Secondary School Students in Kenya.
funded by Austria's Agency for Education and Internalisation (OeAD)
Amount
Five Million (KShs. 5,000,000)

Research Funds Attracted as Principal Investigator / Co-PI

Funds Attracted for Community Development

Consultancy

Consulting Services

Publications

Learning Modules

Innovations, Prototypes & Commercialization

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